Cllr Alambritis receiving his MBE from Prince William in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace

Aradippou born Cypriot and former Merton Council Leader, Stephen Alambritis, was presented with his MBE from His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales at a recently held investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Cllr Alambritis was awarded an MBE for services to Local Government in South London. He is the first ever Cypriot council leader in Britain and the longest serving leader of Merton Council, since the authority was established. Merton Council was named Best Achieving Council in the UK in 2013. The following year, the council was also named the most small business friendly borough in London.

First elected to Merton council as Ravensbury ward councillor in 2003, Cllr Alambritis became the Labour Group Leader in 2008 and took the council’s most senior role in 2010, following the first of three successive election victories and remained the council’s leader till 2020.

Under the leadership of Cllr Alambritis, the council has operated in a business-like way, with particular emphasis on supporting the most vulnerable and improving services for families. Key achievements include building a state-of-the art leisure centre and a new library building. A learning disability centre was also developed and a new secondary school opened in South Wimbledon that now has an ‘outstanding’ rating from Ofsted.

Cllr Alambritis has always championed businesses across the borough, following his own successful career at the Federation of Small Businesses. He also led the council’s support for local football club AFC Wimbledon in achieving their goal of returning home to Plough Lane in a new 9,000 seater stadium that came with over 850 much-needed homes. Cllr Alambritis has also been a Commissioner and at the powerful Equality and Human Rights Commission and was also in Brussels as a representative on the European Union’s Committee of the Regions.

Cllr Alambritis said: “It was a great honour to be at the investiture with my family at Buckingham Palace, alongside other incredible individuals who have done so much for deserving people and good causes. I share this recognition with everyone in the UK Cypriot community where I have received constant support and encouragement.”