The former Clerk to the National Assembly for Wales, Claire Clancy, has been made a Dame in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Claire has been recognised for her role in public service in Wales after a decade as Chief Executive and Clerk to the Assembly; leading the development of a fledgling democratic body into one which is now a world leader in terms of the support it provides for Assembly Members.
During her tenure the Assembly became a full law-making parliamentary body through the referendum on further powers in 2011, followed by additional devolution of powers through Wales Acts in 2014 and 2017.
Dame Claire said:
“I am immensely proud to have played a part in the progress of the Assembly as it has gone from strength to strength over the last decade.
“Working at the heart of Welsh democracy has been an enormous privilege in itself. I am thrilled to bits to receive this amazing honour.
“For me it is, most of all, a tribute to all the talented people that I have been so fortunate to work alongside, who work so hard every day to make the Assembly a success. This is a very special moment in my life and I am hugely grateful.”
Prior to joining the National Assembly for Wales, Claire was Chief Executive of Companies House and Registrar of Companies.
Earlier posts in her career included Director of Corporate Services at the Patent Office and Chief Executive of Powys Training and Enterprise Council.
She also spent two years on the island of St Helena while her husband was Chief Secretary and later Governor; here she did some teaching and other voluntary work.
She has a degree in psychology from the Open University.