Party (UK) leadership election. Labour Party members elected McAvan to be the top-ranked Labour candidate for Yorkshire and the Humber in the 2009 European elections, narrowly beating Richard Corbett for the top place. In 2014, she again topped the ballot. She stood down as an MEP on 19 April 2019. Life after politics Since leaving the European Parliament, McAvan has been working as executive director for European relations at the European Climate Foundation. Other activities National Coal Mining Museum for England, Member of the Steering Committee Reconsidering European Contributions to Global Justice (GLOBUS), Member of the Policy Advisory Board Recognition McAvan was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours for charitable and political services. Personal life McAvan is married to Paul Blomfield, the Labour MP for Sheffield Central. Her constituency office was in Wath-upon-Dearne. References Yorkshire & Humber Labour European election 2009 candidates website www.labour4yorkshire.eu. External links Official website Profile at European Parliament website Yorkshire and Humber Labour European election candidates website 1962 births Living people Alumni of Heriot-Watt University Labour Party (UK) MEPs MEPs for England 1994–1999 MEPs for England 1999–2004 MEPs for England 2004–2009 MEPs for England 2009–2014 MEPs for England 2014–2019 20th-century women MEPs for England 21st-century women MEPs for England Officers of the Order of the British Empire