'Rising Star ' shortlisted for second national award

Lichfield District Council 's environmental champion is continuing to gain national recognition after making the shortlist for a second major 'Rising Star ' award.

Kristie Charlesworth (pictured) has been highlighted in The MJ Achievement Awards 2023 which acknowledges her outstanding work as the Council 's Ecology and Climate Change Manager.

This follows the announcement last month that Kristie has been shortlisted as a 'Rising Star ' in the prestigious LGC (Local Government Chronicle) Awards 2023.

The MJ Awards acknowledge the 'tremendous effort of those in Local Government dedicating themselves to supporting local communities, facing challenge after challenge, but never giving up in the face of adversity '.

Kristie is an expert in environmental issues, committed to delivering policies and initiatives which protect Lichfield District 's ecology and greenspaces.

She enthuses her team and spearheads work to meet the Council 's pledges for nature recovery, climate change, and carbon reduction. She delivers training and works with partners at every level from central Government to local community organisations.

Kristie, who has worked in Local Government for just six years, advises other authorities on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) helping them to prepare for mandatory requirements coming into force this year, which helps with sustainable development.

She considers protected and priority species and habitats and manages conservation projects to safeguard and improve our Local Wildlife Sites.

She is leading on the environmental elements of the Lichfield District 2050 strategic plan and is promoting the sharing of ideas, connections, and achievements through setting up the Council 's Young Professionals Network.

Lichfield District Council 's chief executive Simon Fletcher said: “It is a testament to Kristie 's talent and determination that she has been shortlisted for a second major award so far this year.

“Kristie works extremely hard to implement the Council 's environmental policies on ecology and climate change and last year earned a deserved promotion to a management role.

“With her professional approach and expertise Kristie is a pleasure to work with and we are delighted she has been shortlisted for this second prestigious award. ”

The MJ Awards will be announced at a ceremony at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge on Friday 23 June, 2023.