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MAG is delighted by the news that Lou McGrath, the organisation's Executive Director since 1997, has been appointed as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
Lou McGrath, 55, has been listed in the British Queen’s New Year Honours list for his services to mine clearance. He has been involved in the clearance of landmines and unexploded ordnance since its foundation in 1989 and played a key role in the development of landmine clearance techniques, which MAG has implemented successfully in more than 35 countries.
"I am really proud by the announcement of this Honour," said Lou in an initial reaction. "It recognises the hard and dangerous work MAG employees have done throughout the years. Despite the risks and hardship, their achievements have made MAG into what it is today: a highly-respected, professional organisation that works in close cooperation with local communities."
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Lou, pictured in Cambodia |
MAG was a founding member of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) and Lou played an active part in the Mine Ban Treaty process, which banned the production, manufacture and export of anti-personnel mines.
The Treaty was signed in Ottawa, Canada, in 1997, after which the founding members of the ICBL were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Lou has overseen the successful growth of the MAG into one of the world’s leading agencies, providing humanitarian mine clearance, ammunition disposal, destruction and safe stockpiling of abandoned and ignored weapons caches.
MAG is renowned for doing its work in close consultation and cooperation with local communities in educating, training and employing members of affected communities.
MAG currently works in 13 countries – with Lebanon, Iraq, D.R. Congo, Cambodia and Sudan as its biggest programmes – and employs 108 international and over 2,800 national staff members in the field. Based in Manchester, it is the only international operating charity with its headquarters in the North West region of the United Kingdom.
Previous to his work for MAG, Lou served in the British Army. He lives in Oxton, Wirral, in Merseyside with his wife and their two sons.
