Barnsley Premier Leisure Chair Awarded MBE for Services to the Community in Barnsley

Barnsley Premier Leisure (BPL) is proud to announce that its Chair, Valerie Mills, has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of her outstanding services to the community in Barnsley.

The honour acknowledges Valerie’s exceptional contribution over two decades, during which she has played a pivotal role in transforming BPL into one of the UK’s most successful charitable leisure trusts. Her leadership has not only ensured the sustainability of vital leisure services but also driven a bold shift towards tackling health inequalities and improving healthy life expectancy across the borough.

Since joining BPL 20 years ago, Valerie has gone far beyond the traditional role of Chair. She has become a visible and approachable leader, regularly engaging with colleagues across all sites and championing a culture where staff feel valued, heard and empowered. Her passion for community wellbeing has been central to BPL’s evolution into an organisation that delivers both high-quality leisure provision and impactful health programmes.

Under Valerie’s leadership, BPL has been transformed from a charity facing significant financial challenges into a thriving organisation employing over 650 people, generating £22 million in turnover, and reinvesting millions back into facilities and community initiatives. Major developments such as the transformation of the Metrodome into a regional destination, alongside innovative programmes supporting over 12,000 people to improve their health, reflect the scale of her impact.

Valerie has also been a long-standing advocate for women’s leadership and opportunity in sport and education. Her work with Barnsley College, including the development of the Barnsley Sports Academy, has helped create pathways for young people while promoting lifelong participation in physical activity.

Valerie Mills said: “I am deeply honoured and absolutely thrilled to be awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). This is something I never imagined would happen and I am genuinely overwhelmed. This is a huge honour, but more than that, it’s a reflection of the incredible people I’ve been lucky to work alongside from my commencement as a Trustee in 2006 and then from my appointment as Chair in 2017. From my family and friends to Barnsley Premier Leisure colleagues, our local partners in Barnsley Council and Bassetlaw District Council, as well as our wider community, every bit of support, encouragement and teamwork has made this possible. Every project, every challenge and every success has been a team effort. It’s a powerful reminder that when we come together with passion, kindness and determination, we can create real and lasting change. I accept it with gratitude and renewed commitment to keep moving forward, to keep making a difference and to inspire others to believe in their own ability to create change. I hope this encourages others to believe in the power of community to transform lives and that they, too, can achieve extraordinary things.”

Michael Hirst, CEO of Barnsley Premier Leisure, commented: “I’m so pleased that Val has received this recognition, not only for her work at BPL, but also her strong advocacy for women’s sport and leadership. On behalf of everyone at BPL, past and present, I would like to offer our heartfelt congratulations on this award. It is fitting recognition of your outstanding dedication, leadership and unwavering commitment over the last twenty years to our purpose of helping people feel good. Now this really is something to feel good about.”