Environment Agency operations manager Barry Russell has been named an MBE in the New Year's Honours for his service to flood risk management across Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.

Mr Russell is a Chartered Civil Engineer and completed his training through the National Rivers Authorities Graduate Training programme 20 years ago.

He has worked for the Environment Agency and its predecessor - National Rivers Authority - for 24 years in a variety of roles including Flood Risk Manager, Environment Manager and Laboratory Manager.

Mr Russell has played a key part in helping to manage flood risk in areas which include large rural locations, as well as towns such as Swindon, Banbury and Oxford.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: "Barry has played a pivotal role in responding to many floods including the devastating July 2007 and the winter 2013-14 floods supporting many communities in the Thames Valley.

"He directed the teams which provided the front line response during these floods, which included leading the multi-agency response in key affected areas such as Oxford.

"During the ever changing and fast paced floods, Barry has demonstrated a high level of commitment to the public and those affected by the floods by working around the clock to reduce the impacts of the floods.

"His exceptional communication skills whether dealing with the public, community groups or dealing with the media has made him stand out." 

Mr Russell said: “I am truly honoured and humbled to receive the award in recognition of my work in flood risk management. The award would clearly not be possible if it were not for the support and commitment of all my teams in operations management as well as those across the wider business and partner organisations who give their all during the floods – particularly those we experienced early last year.

“I am hugely proud of what we have been able to achieve in recent years. We have shown that we are able to respond to floods exceptionally well as well as deliver projects that will protect our communities for many years to come.”

Mr Russell has also dedicated much of his time volunteering as a major in the Army Reserve. He has been in the Royal Engineer Reserves (previously Territorial Army) for 22 years and has served in Cyprus, the Falkland Island, Ascension Island, Hong Kong and Gibraltar as well as the UK.