New Year Honours for stabilisation experts

Two civilian stabilisation experts have been recognised in the New Year Honours for their work whilst deployed to Helmand, Afghanistan with the Stabilisation Unit.

Gavin Davis and Jonathan Browning both received OBE awards for their exceptional efforts working on the front line, helping support the rebuilding of local governance systems in Helmand.

Welcoming the news, Head of the Stabilisation Unit, Sheelagh Stewart said:

“I am delighted to see that the efforts of two of our civilian deployees have been recognised in the New Years Honours List. This is testament to their outstanding work in one of the most challenging and dangerous environments, working on the frontline in Afghanistan.”

Gavin Davis worked in the Nade Ali and Marjah districts of Helmand for 15 months as a District Political Officer. Living in and working out of Forward Operating Bases and Patrol Bases, Gavin mentored an Afghan District Governor and District Council, who now provide a basic district-level government, including schooling and healthcare.

This is crucial because local improvements in security and the capability of Afghan forces are only sustainable if the Afghan people support the Afghan Government and reject the insurgency.  Improvements in security following Operation Moshtarak and improved local governance led to an increasing number of Afghans rejecting the insurgency and choosing the Afghan Government in Nad Ali and other parts of Central Helmand, such as Marjah.  These two districts are in the process of transitioning from NATO to Afghan lead for security. 

District Political Officer, Gavin Davis said:

 “I am honoured and humbled to have received this award, although progress in Central Helmand is a real team effort.  I was privileged to have worked with such capable Afghans, military commanders and civilian stabilisation professionals and I am thrilled that our efforts to have been recognised.”

Jonathan Browning was a Stabilisation Advisor in the Nade Ali and Khan Neshin Districts of Helmand for just over two years. During his posting, Jonathan was responsible for mentoring both Afghan District Governors and government staff on how to develop education, healthcare, economic growth and governance as well as working closely with the local population to bring stability and development to the district.

Stabilisation Advisor Jonathan Browning said:

"I’m both surprised and grateful to receive this honour and recognition. It’s been a privilege to work so closely with the Afghan people to help improve local government's ability to deliver basic services and play a small part in helping Afghanistan and the Afghan people build a better future for themselves."