King's New Year Honours for Staffordshire

Staffordshire residents have been recognised by King Charles III for their contributions to society.

A marine biologist, community stalwarts and education providers are among the Staffordshire residents recognised in His Majesty The King’s New Year’s Honours List.

Residents have been honoured with a Knighthood, OBEs, MBEs and BEMs for their services to the Crown, medical research and foster care.

Among those recognised in the New Year’s honours are Mr Ian Dudson, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire for nearly 13 years, who is already a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and has now been made a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order for services to The Crown.

Also recognised are: 

• Marine biologist Emily Cunningham, co-founder of the #Motion4theOcean movement, who has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her conservation work helping coastal communities;
• Professor Elaine Hay, a specialist in rheumatology at Keele University and a Director of Arthritis Care UK, who has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), for her services to medical research;
• Paralympian Bob Love, a leading bowler and an ambassador for his sport, who has been made a Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for his work promoting sport for people with disabilities.

Alan White, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said:

It is both humbling and inspiring to hear the stories of people who make others’ lives better, either by their professional contribution, or by the hours of free time they devote to supporting and caring for friends, neighbours and members of the wider community.

On behalf of the people of Staffordshire I congratulate them and thank them for their service.”

Sir Ian Dudson KCVO CBE, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, said:

A common theme of His Majesty’s work is to support those who support others and it is clear that many of those named today have made a sustained contribution in different ways to helping those around them.

I send my warmest congratulations to these worthy recipients on being recognised in this way, and we share their pride and pleasure in this achievement.”

 Commenting on his own award, Sir Ian added:

I feel both humbled and delighted by the recognition that my work, and indeed the work of the whole of the Staffordshire Lieutenancy, has been recognised in this way.”

 Residents of Staffordshire who have received an honour include:

• KCVO for Ian James Dudson CBE, of Barlaston, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, for services to The Crown;
• OBE for Sandra Gwendoline Watson, of Stafford, lately Children and Families Manager, HMP Oakwood and of G4S Care and Justice Services, for services to the Criminal Justice System;
• OBE for Margaret Yates, of Stoke-on-Trent, Chief Executive Officer at All Saints Catholic Collegiate, Stoke-on-Trent, for services to Education;
• MBE for Emily Grace Cunningham, of Stafford, a marine biologist, for services to Marine Conservation and Coastal Communities;
• MBE for Prof Elaine Margaret Hay, of Stoke-on-Trent, Professor of Community Rheumatology at Keele University, for services to Medical Research;
• BEM for Gifford Andrew Foote, of Rugeley, who for almost 30 years has been a community support volunteer and set up ‘Meeting Point in 1999 to combat isolation in older people, for services to the community in Armitage with Handsacre;
• BEM for Ann Veronica Harvey, of Stoke-on-Trent, lately a nursery teacher and Chair of Governors at Bentilee Nursery, for services to Early Years Learning;
• BEM for Simon Hawkins, of Burntwood, foster carer for Fostering Solutions West Midlands, for services to Foster Care;
• BEM for Michelle Hawkins, of Burntwood, foster carer for Fostering Solutions West Midlands, for services to Foster Care;
• BEM for Robert Alan Love, of Tamworth, bowler and Ambassador for International Disabled Bowlers, for services to Sport and People with Disabilities;
• BEM for Robert Patchett, of Mease Valley, who for 20 years has supported communities in the Mease Valley working with churches, primary schools, village halls and the Millenium Green, for services to the Community in Mease Valley;
• BEM for Philip John Siddell, of Burton-on-Trent, Co-owner of Humpty Dumpty Day Nurseries Ltd and Trustee of the National Day Nurseries Association, West Midlands, for services to the Early Years and Childcare sectors.