Local Heroes: Jacqui’s joy at award for reducing bite of loan sharks
THE “inspirational” boss of the loan shark-busting Illegal Money Lending Team has scooped a prestigious award in recognition of their ground-breaking work.
Jacqui Kennedy has received national recognition for her distinguished and dedicated service to local government at the fourth ‘Women in Public Life’ awards.
She was honoured as the ‘Local Government Personality of the Year’.
As Birmingham’s Director of Regulatory Services Jacqui is the corporate head of the successful Trading Standards illegal money lending team. Launched in Birmingham in 2004, the team has secured almost 80 years worth of custodial sentences against illegal money lenders and helped more than 14,500 victims break free from the cycle of debt and violence.
Unlicensed lenders have a hugely detrimental impact on our communities, preying on some of the most vulnerable people, charging extortionate rates of interest and resorting to extreme methods to enforce their illegal debts.
They have proved so successful prosecuting some of the country’s most notorious loan sharks that the city team is now helping authorities in five regions across the country free hard-up families from the illegal lenders’ vice-like grip.
Championed by Jacqui, the team has made a massive impact to the lives of loan shark victims, often the most vulnerable members of society.
A survey found they were often young singles or single parents; 76 per cent live in rented homes; 63 per cent are unemployed; 28 per cent disabled; 82 per cent without home contents insurance; 75 per cent on benefit and 66 per cent with other debts.
Jacqui was last recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours back in 2009 when she was awarded the OBE.
She is well known within the corridors of Birmingham City Council as someone who holds a tough stance for what is right.
But she is also known by those who work closest with her as someone who shows genuine empathy and compassion to those who need her help.
On receiving this latest award Jacqui emphasised the value she places on her team.
She said: “At this time, when sometimes the challenges we face seem almost too enormous to even contemplate I know that I couldn’t wish for more professional and able people around me.
“I feel really lucky to work with so many excellent people within Regulatory Services and Birmingham City Council and this award recognises them as much as my own contribution.”
