A Reading CEO said that she is ‘delighted to be recognised’ in this years King’s Birthday Honours list.

Jane Stanford-Beale was one of the many talented people throughout the UK to be named on this year’s coveted list to mark the King’s birthday.

Among the few chosen are individuals who have gone above a beyond for people in the community.

After several years as an unpaid volunteer for Autism Berkshire, the Caversham Mum, who took over as CEO in 2015 was awarded the MBE for her services to the charity over the last 8 years.

Speaking about the award, she said that she was 'so surprised when she received the call' to inform her that she would be receiving an MBE on this year’s list.

“It still doesn’t seem real, but I’m delighted that the work that I and all the team at Autism Berkshire do to support autistic people and their families has been recognised.”

Jane was originally inspired to get involved with Autism Berkshire when her son was diagnosed with autism in 2011.

After seeking information and advice from their volunteers, she realised that there currently wasn’t enough being done to help support young children with autism and their families.

As well as Chief Executive Officer, the MBE recipient is also a non-executive director of Reading Buses and was a member of Reading Borough Council from 2012 until 2022.

She has recently provided additional training for both Reading Bus employees and members of the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue where she twice acted as a member.

Jane’s work with families during Covid and her contribution to the community in Berkshire was recognised in 2021, when she was one of only 22 people to be honoured as a Census Community Heroes Purple Plaque award winner.

“When I became the charity’s chief executive officer, I wanted to transform the support services that we provided,” she said.

“We have achieved a lot, but there is still more to do, with increasing numbers of children and adults throughout Berkshire being diagnosed as autistic.”

As well as her many achievements and positions across Berkshire, Jane is also a governor at New Bridge Nursery School in Caversham for 16 years and a non-executive director of the old Reading NHS Primary Care Trust.