New Year Honours 2024 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Two King’s Fire Service Medals awarded in New Year’s Honours

Two members of staff from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) with a combined 65 years of service have been awarded the King’s Fire Service Medal (KFSM).

On call firefighter, Watch Commander David Gibson is based at Penicuik Community Fire Station and has spent over 44 years helping to protect his local community, while Iain Morris, Head of Asset Management has over 20 years of service overseeing SFRS buildings, equipment and vehicles.

His Majesty The King has recognised their efforts in the New Year’s Honours List.

As an on call firefighter, Watch Commander (WC) Gibson has balanced his role with SFRS while also working full time as a mental health nurse until he retired from the NHS in 2021.

He used his experience in mental health to become a Wellbeing Champion for SFRS, providing support to colleagues in the Midlothian, East Lothian and Scottish Borders areas.

WC Gibson was also involved in the integration of the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) co-location at Penicuik Community Fire Station.

I am immensely proud and honoured to receive the King’s Fire Service Medal, even to be nominated by my peers, is very humbling.

David GibsonWatch Commander

He continued: “It has been a privilege for me to serve communities as an on call firefighters attending many notable emergency incidents and fires over the years, working with many great teams and individuals.

“I would like to thank all those that I have worked with and also my family for their unwavering support.”

As Head of Asset Management, Iain Morris oversees the administration of SFRS assets, which includes over 1,600 vehicles, thousands of items of equipment and over 600 buildings, as well being responsible for more than 200 staff.

Iain, who lives in Airdrie, started working with Strathclyde Fire Brigade in 2002 and has over 20 years of Fire Service experience. He has worked as Fleet Manager, Deputy Director of Operations and Head of Corporate Support

He took on the role of Head of Asset Management in 2013, at the formation of The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) from the eight legacy services. For the last two years, Iain has worked as the Interim Director of Asset Management.

During his time, Iain has driven forward many improvements in processes including initiatives to reduce carbon emissions across the estate. Iain and his team also ensured the SFRS corporate buildings along with stores and fleet workshops continued to operate during the Covid-19 pandemic.

On receiving his award, Iain said: “It is very humbling but an honour to receive the King’s Fire Service Medal and to have the work of Asset Management recognised within SFRS.

“I am part of a large team of professionals who are fully committed in supporting the Service to serve the communities of Scotland, as well as continually striving to make improvements.

Throughout the years, I have received overwhelming support from those I have worked with, and I would like to extend my thanks to them, as well as to my family.

Iain MorrisSFRS Head of Asset Management

Iain is also involved in the Veterans/Reservists Group and has helped SFRS achieve the Gold Standard for the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

For the last 10 years he has been the Honorary Vice President of the Scottish Fire Brigades Trust and has helped establish the Fire Museum and Heritage Centre in Greenock.

He served almost eight years as a Trustee of the SFRS Family Support Trust where he helped to raise the charity’s profile.

Police Scotland officers and staff recognised in New Year Honours list

Three serving and former Police Scotland officers have been recognised in the King’s New Year Honours for their significant contribution to policing.

Chief Superintendent Faroque Hussain (previously Temporary Assistant Chief Constable), Chief Superintendent Carol McGuire (retired) and Constable Stephanie Rose all receive the King’s Police Medal (KPM).

A further three serving and retired Police Scotland officers and staff members have also been recognised.

DC Jodie McFarlane receives the British Empire Medal for services to children and families in Ayrshire for her work with the charity Night Before Christmas Campaign, while retired Child Protection Manager, James Duffy, is named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to children.

Also honoured with the award of an MBE is Investigation and Information Manager, Stuart Cossar, for services to the investigation and to the bereaved families of the Lockerbie Air Disaster.

Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: “These awards are testament to the dedication to public service and professionalism our officers show right across the country, day in, day out.

“I offer my warmest congratulations to Carol, Faroque and Stephanie for this deserved recognition of their significant contribution to policing.

“I would also like to recognise the honours awarded to Jodie, James and Stuart for their commitment and compassion serving policing and our communities in Scotland and beyond.”

Chief Superintendent Faroque Hussain joined Strathclyde Police in 1999.

He was promoted to Chief Superintendent in 2019 and appointed as Divisional Commander for Ayrshire in 2020 where he championed partnership working and engagement.

As a Strategic Firearms Commander, Faroque has overseen and coordinated firearms assets for major events including COP26 and the Queen’s death.

After a secondment to the National Crime Agency, he was appointed as Divisional Commander for Ayrshire in 2020, and was recently temporary Assistant Chief Constable for Partnership, Preventions and Community Wellbeing.

Chief Superintendent Hussain said: “I am deeply honoured by this recognition from His Majesty the King.

“I am profoundly grateful to have worked with countless selfless colleagues and partners from across Scotland, and beyond, who work tirelessly to keep our fellow citizens safe.

“Most of all, I thank my wife and our family for their unwavering support.”

Chief Supt Carol McGuire standing at Drumlanrig Castle. She is wearing full black police uniform and hat with a hi-vis vest holding police equipment.

Chief Superintendent Carol McGuire joined Strathclyde Police in 1995, serving in roles across local policing, emergency planning and community safety where she wrote the first Gender Equality Scheme for Strathclyde Police.

Carol later undertook a secondment to the Football Coordination Unit Scotland where she developed the first National Strategy for the Policing of Football in Scotland.

In 2017, Carol joined the Operational Support Division (Specialist Services) where she was responsible for specialist resources including Public Order and oversaw the introduction of drones to enhance air support capability.

During her time at OSD, Carole also drove the work to identify and procure new, lighter and more flexible body armour for officers. Latterly, Carol served as Divisional Commander for Dumfries and Galloway, where she is originally from, and retired in October 2023.

Chief Superintendent McGuire said: “It is fair to say I am genuinely overwhelmed and more than a little surprised to be receiving such a prestigious accolade, however, I am extremely proud as well.

“I am also enormously grateful to those who have guided and mentored me throughout my career in policing, and the many others whose support has been invaluable.

“It was a true privilege to have been a police officer, and to have led and been part of so many tremendous teams, and my thanks go to everyone who has been a part of my story.”

Constable Stephanie Rose joined Strathclyde Police in 1997 and has been a strong advocate for equality, diversion and inclusion throughout her service.

Her passion and commitment in this area is further demonstrated by Stephanie’s personal learning journey with British Sign Language (BSL). She is now fully conversant in BSL and regularly interprets for Police Scotland to deaf communities.

Stephanie developed the Keep Safe initiative in partnership with I Am Me Scotland which was piloted in Renfrewshire in 2014 before becoming a national programme in 2015. The initiative creates a network of local businesses to establish Keep Safe places for disabled, vulnerable and elderly people to go if they feel lost, confused, scared or intimidated or have been the victim of a crime.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Stephanie adopted a number of new initiatives to support and reassure disabled communities about the restrictions in place. She also developed guidance for police officers on interacting with people with autism or learning disabilities during the pandemic.

Constable Rose said: “I am hugely honoured to have been awarded the King’s Police Medal.

“I am very proud to be a police officer and have been extremely fortunate to work with some brilliant staff, officers and partners who share the vision of a fair, inclusive and accessible police service. Most importantly I have had the privilege of working with communities who have led so much positive change for policing.

“I have a particular passion for tackling hate crime and improving services for disabled people and British Sign Language communities and I hope this recognition enables us to continue making progress, as there is still more work to be done.”

First Minister congratulates recipients of New Year Honours 2024

YOU ARE A STAR! – AWARD FOR FISCHY MUSIC’S STEPHEN

First Minister Humza Yousaf has paid tribute to Scotland’s recipients of the New Year’s Honours.

In recognition of exceptional contributions to public life and in keeping with the theme of ‘giving’, this year’s awards celebrate recipients that have contributed to their community and undertaken voluntary services.

Writer and academic Alexander McCall Smith receives a Knighthood for services to literature.

Among those receiving the CBE are Professor Peter Hollingsworth, the Director of Science and Deputy Keeper of Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden, recognising his services to science, and Gayle Gorman, the former Chief Executive of Education Scotland for services to education and charity.

Former football player and manager Alex McLeish receives an OBE for services to charity, including his work with the Catherine McEwan Foundation which supports people with colitis and Crohn’s.

Other recipients of the OBE include former British Lions player and Scotland rugby captain Rob Wainwright, founder of Doddie Aid, a mass participation fitness event to raise funds to aid research into Motor Neuron Disease, which former teammate Doddie Weir fought. OBEs have also been awarded to Catherine Magee, CEO of Dyslexia Scotland, and Alex Reedijk, General Director at Scottish Opera.

There’s an MBE for Fischy Music founder Stephen Fischbacher for services to mental health and wellbeing. Edinburgh’s popular Fischy Music have been celebrating their 25th anniversary this year.

MBEs go to Elinor Middlemiss, Chef de Mission for Scotland’s 2026 Commonwealth Games squad for services to sport, Chief Commissioner Susan Walker of Girlguiding Scotland for services to young people, and Robert Christie, head coach of the Scotland Paralympic Lawn Bowls Team.

Fundraiser Keith Morton receives the British Empire Medal for his charitable work with Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS). The same honour goes to volunteer Elizabeth Kinnear for her work with the Guide Dogs Perth and District Branch.

Chief Superintendent Carol McGuire, Chief Superintendent Faroque Hussain and Police Constable Stephanie Rose receive The King’s Police Medal. The King’s Fire Service Medal is awarded to Acting Director of Asset Management Iain Morris and Watch Commander David Gibson. The King’s Ambulance Service Medal is awarded to Ambulance Care Assistant Alistair MacDonald.

The First Minister said: “Those recognised in the New Year’s Honours list have made exceptional contributions to communities across Scotland and beyond. These Honours are particularly important in light of the ‘giving’ theme and it is clear that all of the worthy recipients have given so much.

“The service and dedication of these individuals – from the arts, education and sport to business, charity, community cohesion and science – has benefited people across communities and promoted Scotland around the world.

“I congratulate those members of Scotland’s blue-light services who have been awarded The King’s Fire, Police or Ambulance Service Medals. Our emergency services display incredible fortitude daily and deserve our continued appreciation for keeping people and communities across Scotland safe, every day of the year.”

The Scottish Secretary has also congratulated the many people from across Scottish society who have been recognised in the New Year Honours List.

Speaking as King Charles’ New Year Honours were announced, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: “My warmest congratulations go to all the Scottish recipients of the King’s New Year Honours. Scots are well represented in His Majesty’s list, which showcases the best of Scottish talent – including sport, the arts, community, education, business, charity, policing and healthcare.

“Scottish rugby centurion Stuart Hogg, who announced his retirement earlier this year, is rightly celebrated [MBE] for his services to the game. Former Scotland rugby captain Rob Wainwright is also honoured [OBE] for his extraordinary work raising money for research into motor neurone disease through the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. From the world of football, former player and Scotland, Rangers, Hibs and Motherwell manager Alex McLeish is recognised [OBE] for his services to charity.

“I welcome best-selling author Alexander McCall Smith being knighted for services to literature, academia and to charity. And much loved star of BBC comedy Two Doors Down, Arabella Weir, has been rightly recognised [MBE] for her work with the arts and young people, not least through the Kirkcaldy Festival of Ideas.

“And it’s poignant that just days after the 35th anniversary of the Lockerbie atrocity a leading police officer in the investigation, Stuart Cossar, is recognised [MBE] for his services to the inquiry and bereaved families.

“This year, more than 100 Scots have been awarded honours. The achievements of such a diverse number of our fellow Scots is truly inspiring.”

The Honours list.

Honours are announced twice annually on the Monarch’s official birthday, and at New Year.