Dr Martin Reeves, Chief Executive of Oxfordshire County Council, has been awarded an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours in recognition of his outstanding service to local government. Martin has led Oxfordshire County Council since March 2023, bringing with him more than 25 years’ experience in senior leadership roles across local government. Since November 2025 we have been proud he has been Strategic Associate Director of thinkingplace bringing his leading edge thinking regarding place, tremendous knowledge of local government and economic insight to what we deliver for UK places.
Martin has not only practiced what he preaches in the places he has authority and influence over but has made it a personal crusade to champion a place led way of thinking, giving freely of his time to other places. He takes people on a journey through zeal, inspiration, energy and absolute presence, speaking at events and at launches of this approach in other places. Martin is always the highest rated speaker, the general audience reaction is wow! and his personality, aura and at times brutal honesty (not usually heard) encourages people to think and act differently.
He is an extraordinary thinker, a challenger of the status quo (but not for the sake of it), a ‘big picture’ person on a mission to make places better for those within them and for the benefit of UK plc. He is single handedly changing the narrative about how to create a successful place and the role of a local authority in achieving this. He is selfless, articulate and he channels this to help people believe they can create change; he is a force of nature for people and places.
and we should shout about our talented and respected Board more!
We are incredibly fortunate to have astonishing and long serving Board members who Martin has joined who have literally been with thinkingplace since the start, a 20 year journey! Deb Oxley set the company up alongside John Till and was awarded an OBE in 2019 for services to employee ownership and social enterprise. Deb was also appointed Deputy Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire in 2021. Peter Anderson, Creative Director of thinkingplace has been awarded two BAFTAS! in recent times. The first for Bad Sisters in 2023 and then Sweetpea in 2025 alongside many other nominations. Colonel Simon Banks-Cooper, Company Secretary for thinkingplace is the Honorary Colonel of the Humberside & South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force advocating its role, contribution & benefit to business & society.
A tremendous team!
