Suffolk Libraries Former Chair Tony Brown receives British Empire Medal in Jubilee Honours List

Suffolk Libraries is congratulating Tony Brown who is receiving a British Empire Medal for his outstanding service to public libraries in the Platinum Jubilee honours list.

Tony Brown has been a member of the Suffolk Libraries board since 2013. He served as chair between 2013 and 2021. Suffolk Libraries Board members are voluntary and elected from the organisation’s membership (library Friends Groups). Tony represents his local friends group in Beccles.

Bruce Leeke, Chief Executive of Suffolk Libraries, said:

“We’re delighted for Tony and this honour is well deserved. Tony has made a huge contribution to the success of Suffolk Libraries, leading the Board and influencing the direction of the organisation for many years with the unwavering belief that what we do makes a real difference to the people of Suffolk.

"He is a true visionary, inspiring confidence and influencing colleagues with his selfless passion for libraries.”

Tony spent around 15 years in advertising and marketing and worked on a major government campaign to launch Training & Enterprise Councils He was the first Director of Management Education at the University of East Anglia. Soon after joining UEA Tony became a trustee of Community Music East, an association that lasted over 20 years including 10 as Chair. CME used music workshops to help build confidence and resilience in disadvantaged groups.

After UEA Tony led research and development projects in the creative industries and the social enterprise sector which led to his interest in his local library and the work of Suffolk Libraries which at the time was only a few months old.