Published on 19th June 2025
Neil Carberry, Chief Executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and Board Member of the World Employment Confederation (WEC), has been appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). Neil is one of the most respected figures in public debate about employment matters in the United Kingdom, with his expertise and insight regularly sought by recruiters, businesses, governments, politicians and the media.
Honours such as Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) are awarded to people who have made significant achievements in public life and committed themselves to serving and helping Britain. The REC is the voice of the recruitment industry in the United Kingdom and an active National Federation member of the World Employment Confederation (WEC). Neil Carberry was appointed Chief Executive of the REC in June 2018 and he has sat on WEC’s Board since 2019. He is also an Officer in WEC’s Executive Committee, which oversees the execution of the organisation’s strategy.
Neil Carberry has been dedicated to demonstrating the recruitment industry’s contribution to the economy and how it has become a domestic and exporting powerhouse of the UK. But he’s also a champion of quality standards and ethical recruitment. As the chair of WEC’s Quality Standards Group, he’s driving the industry’s efforts in creating a compliance mechanism to help uphold the highest ethical, quality and professional practices in the sector.
Commending Neil Carberry’s achievements, WEC-Europe President, Sonja van Lieshout said:
“Being awarded an OBE is a truly momentous occasion, recognising Neil’s exceptional contributions to the recruitment and employment industry. His tireless advocacy and leadership have driven meaningful change at global, European, and national levels. Neil’s commitment to raising standards and championing progress has brought positive change in our industry, the economy and society. WEC-Europe proudly celebrates this tribute to his unwavering dedication and outstanding achievements. Not only this honour reflects his lasting legacy but it also serves as an inspiration to others.”
Reacting to the award, Neil Carberry said:
“I am deeply honoured to be nominated for the OBE and would like to thank His Majesty the King. At a time when the growth of our economy is the only way to raise living standards, this award is a recognition of the vital role that business, and our talent firms in particular, play in changing lives for the better. Any contribution I have made to this is dwarfed by the work of my fabulous colleagues at the REC, WEC, Acas, the Low Pay Commission and the CBI over the past two decades.
Congratulations to Neil, on behalf of the whole WEC-Europe community!
