King’s New Year Honours: Stansted professor Paul Brickell receives MBE for helping to regenerate east London

A Stansted man who changed career in order to help part of the capital undergo a transformation has received an MBE in the King’s New Year Honours.

Professor Paul Brickell has been recognised for services to the regeneration of east London for his work in revamping the area both before and after the 2012 Olympic Games.

The former molecular biologist switched career path in 2002 to contribute to the area’s revamping and was most recently executive director of regeneration and community partnerships at the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC).

Prof Brickell was director of regeneration and chief executive of the Bromley by Bow Centre before becoming chief executive of Leaside Regeneration.

He contributed to the early visioning of the Lower Lea Valley and to the delivery of new homes; infrastructure such as road, canal and railway crossings and a new station; small business workspace; parks and green spaces; and new facilities for primary health and social care.

Prof Brickell joined the LLDC in October 2011 and was part of its executive management team, helping support the chief executive of the organisation behind the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

He started his previous career by studying for a natural sciences degree and doing a PhD in immunology, both at the University of Cambridge.

He went on to become a lecturer and reader in molecular biology and then a professor in molecular haematology at the Institute of Child Health at world-renowned London children’s hospital Great Ormond Street.