A MANDARIN who has worked to promote diversity in the civil service has been awarded a CBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.

Jennifer Hutton, who is also the chairman of Basingstoke Mencap, started her career in 1982 by taking a desk position at the dole office in Tooting, London.

Ms Hutton, from Beggarwood, has risen through the ranks and is now deputy director of Civil Service Talent, at the Cabinet Office, overseeing the admissions process for graduates.

Her CBE is recognition for a role she held for the majority of the last decade, promoting diversity by increasing the numbers of female, disabled and black and ethnic minority employees in the civil service.

The 49-year-old told The Gazette: “I am thrilled, delighted and surprised, but not as thrilled and delighted as my parents.

“I found out in the middle of November and I have had to keep it a secret all this time. I was also very pleased to get a hand-written note from Sir Gus O’Donnell, the outgoing Cabinet secretary, congratulating me and explaining it was for my work in the civil service and Cabinet.”

Ms Hutton moved to Basingstoke in 1987 and has two sons, Daniel, a 22-year-old freelance journalist and 17-year-old BCoT student Joseph. In April last year, she became chairman of Basingstoke Mencap.

She added: “I’m really looking forward to the investiture ceremony and I hope it’s something I can celebrate with all my family and friends.”

Other Hampshire residents to be recognised by the Queen include Pete Crook, group manager of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, who received the Queen’s Fire Service Medal. He co-ordinated the UK International Search and Rescue Team in Japan last year, when the country was devastated by an earthquake and tsunami.