Steve Maddox was born in Bootle in 1953, the son of Ben and Jean Maddox. His father had many jobs during his life and retired on at least six occasions – the last was six years ago when, at 83, he retired for the last time as the oldest taxi driver in Southport!
His mother worked for Vernons Pools in Aintree for over twenty years before she retired in the late 1980s having reached the extremely responsible position of Claims Supervisor.
Steve Maddox lived in Bootle throughout his childhood, which was rather nomadic, as he attended no less than five different primary schools; but this did not prevent him passing the entrance examination to Merchant Taylors School Crosby. However he never forgot that he would have not have been able to go to that school without the considerable financial support of a wonderful local authority, the County Borough of Bootle, under the direct grant scheme which existed at the time.
The early years at Merchants were a little difficult but things improved and, overall, he enjoyed his time there very much.
He left school in 1971 to attend the University of Kent at Canterbury, which he chose solely because it was a long way away, fearing that if he chose a University too close to home his Mum would come to visit him every weekend!
It was a good choice and he enjoyed a fabulous three years in Canterbury. Regrettably academic study was not a significant priority but he did get an average law degree (2:2) and most importantly, met Jenn who has been his wife and best friend for over 36 years.
Jenn is a partner in Liverpool’s oldest and most prestigious firm of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys, W.P Thompson and Co. of Church Street. Steve and Jenn Maddox have two sons of whom they are immensely proud; Peter (an Evertonian) who has just returned home having spent four years teaching English in China and South Korea; and Robby (a Liverpudlian) who is now in London studying for his Bar finals.
On leaving University Steve Maddox applied to Wirral Council to become what was then called an articled clerk. He records that this was one of the best decisions of his life since he was to spend his entire working career of more than thirty six years with Wirral – a career which he enjoyed tremendously.
Outside of his work within the Council he was a Governor of Wirral Metropolitan College for ten years until his retirement in 2010 and very much enjoyed spells as a Governor of two Wirral schools, Fender Primary in Woodchurch and Black Horse Hill Juniors in West Kirby. He became the Clerk to the Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority, Merseytravel, in 1998 – a post which he still holds.
Steve Maddox retired as the Council’s Chief Executive in October 2010 – having held this post for thirteen years. He was awarded the O.B.E for services to local government in 2008 and, even more importantly for him, was awarded the honour of the Freedom of the Borough of Wirral in November 2010.
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