The Cabinet Office has published the 2023 New Year Honours List
The New Year Honours List 2023 marks the incredible public service of individuals from across the UK.
Recipients in the New Year Honours List have been awarded for their outstanding contributions across all parts of the UK for their work on areas including sustained public service, youth engagement and community work.
Such recipients include 100-year-old Peter Offord Davies from Macclesfield, who has been awarded a BEM for his work as a reading volunteer at Dean Valley Community Primary School in Bollington, Macclesfield.
Pamela Goldsmith from West Sussex is also being awarded an BEM, for raising more than £1.5 million for Macmillan in 20 years of volunteering. Jade Clarke, who represented the United Kingdom at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and glassblower John Reyntiens, who is most well-known for the bespoke stained-glass window at the North End of Westminster Hall which was gifted to Her Majesty the Queen for her 2012 Diamond Jubilee, receive MBEs.
Jawahir Roble, from London, and who grew up playing football in war-torn Mogadishu, has also been awarded an MBE for services to football, after becoming the first black, female, Muslim, hijab-wearing referee in the UK.
Following her commitment to help children and families fleeing Ukraine, Cambridgeshire resident Louenna Hood has been awarded a British Empire Medal. Her voluntary work has seen more than £170,000 raised to help people fleeing the war-torn country and she has helped to organise the delivery of five container loads of essentials directly to people in need.
Asrar Ul-Haq DL was one of the first Asian police officers in Greater Manchester Police and spent his career in policing building a positive relationship between marginalised communities and law enforcement. His work bringing together people from different faiths and backgrounds for a common good has earned him an OBE.
Jim Jones, who is also a police officer in Greater Manchester, has also been recognised with a BEM for his work to improve the way police forces work with military veterans. His close work with the veterans community has seen veterans encouraged to consider jobs within the police force and his approach has been followed by many other police forces across the country.
Key members of the England Lionesses football team are also honoured after their outstanding performance in the summer. Squad captain Leah Williamson receives an OBE, while star player Lucy Bronze, golden boot Beth Mead, and England women’s top international goal scorer Ellen White are all awarded MBEs.
A CBE has been awarded to Pat Jennings, for his football and charity service in Northern Ireland. MBEs go to Scotland’s football captain Andy Robertson for his work with young people and to Chris Kamara for his charity and anti-racism work.
At DBE there is an award for Virginia McKenna, for her work in wildlife conservation and amongst the knighthoods is an award for Robin Millar, for his work in music and disabilities and Grayson Perry for services to the arts.
There is a significant breadth of service recognised across the entirety of the UK. Recipients include MBEs for Gee Walker, founder and patron of the Anthony Walker Foundation; Charles Banks, Chair of the NorthWest Users Group and Secretary, Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association; and Judith Backus, the Founder of Hidden Help, a charity helping disadvantaged people in Cornwall.
The youngest recipient in the List is 18-year-old Dara Seamus McAnulty who receives a BEM for his environmental work and for his work with people with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The Scottish Secretary has congratulated the many people from across Scottish society who have been recognised in the New Year Honours List published last night.
Alister Jack said: “This year’s New Year Honours List underlines the outstanding contributions made by Scots to the life of the nation, from public service, through entertaining us and contributing to our cultural heritage, to assisting in Scotland’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and supporting business growth.
“It’s great to see recognition of our men’s football captain Andy Robertson [MBE], not just for his efforts on the pitch but for his work with young people. The UK’s Scottish Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Christine Middlemiss [CB] has been deservedly honoured for her work on behalf of the veterinary and farming industries, as has Dr Julie Maxton [DBE], the first female executive director of the Royal Society in its history of over 350 years.
“Many Scots have been recognised for their contributions to our cultural landscape. These include Sinclair Barbour from Dumfriesshire [BEM], who for more than four decades has inspired people to participate in and learn the skills of Scottish country dancing; James McEwan from Islay [MBE], four times Master Distiller of the Year and inductee to the Whisky Hall of Fame; and David Sutherland from Dundee [OBE], for services to illustrating the Beano.
“This is also, however, an important opportunity to acknowledge the dedication of those who selflessly serve the needs of others in our communities. Among those to have been honoured today are 28-year-old Lucy Lintott from Moray [BEM], for her tireless campaigning and fundraising in aid of tackling Motor Neurone Disease; and 79-year-old Joyce Murray from East Dunbartonshire [BEM] who has served her community for more than five decades – 50 years as a Boys’ Brigade officer and the last twenty years as a trusted school crossing patrol attendant.
“My sincerest congratulations go to all who have been recognised today.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has also paid tribute to Scotland’s recipients of The New Year’s Honours.
Among those receiving Knighthoods are Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, Professor Peter Mathieson, for services to higher education, and chairman of the Robertson Group, William Robertson CBE, for services to the construction industry and charity.
Provost and Vice Principal of Heriot-Watt University, Dubai, Professor Heather McGregor, CBE, receives a Damehood for services to education, business and heritage.
Scotland’s former Chief Scientist, Professor David Crossman, receives a Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to public health, while Chief Executive of NHS Shetland, Michael Dickson receives an Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to healthcare during COVID-19.
OBEs have also been received by Beano illustrator David Sutherland for services to illustration, Usman Ali for services to equality and cohesion in Scotland and Remzije Sherifi for services to refugee integration in Glasgow.
Footballers Kim Little and Andy Robertson, who captains the Scottish national team, as well as artist Andrew Crummy and community activist Alana Stott are among those receiving a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
Receiving a Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) include Lucy Lintott for voluntary services to Motor Neurone Disease Research, Joyce Murray, school crossing patrol attendant, for service to the Boys’ Brigade and to the community in Glasgow and Elizabeth Wilson for services to handbell ringing.
Chief Superintendents Sean Scott and Sharon Milton, and Deputy Chief Constable Will Kerr receive The King’s Police Medal. The King’s Fire Service Medal is awarded to Watch Commander Alan Aitken and Volunteer Leader Robert Strang. Wendy Bathgate, Information Governance Officer and Trustee of the Benevolent Fund, receives The King’s Ambulance Service Medal.
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 poignant as they are the first to be awarded since the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, who reigned for over 70 years.
“The service and dedication of our successes, from the arts, education and sport to business, charity, community cohesion and science has helped to promote Scotland all over the world and benefited people throughout society.
“I also want to extend my congratulations to those personnel who have been awarded The King’s Fire, Police or Ambulance Service Medals. Our emergency services have displayed incredible fortitude throughout the pandemic, and deserve our continued appreciation for keeping people and communities across Scotland safe, every day of the year.”
The Honours list.