News

New Independent Chair of the Greater Manchester Ethics Committee Appointed

One of the Greater Manchester Deputy Lieutenants, Dame Robina Shah DBE DL JP, has been appointed as the New Independent Chair of the Greater Manchester Ethics Committee.

The Committee advises Deputy Mayor Kate Green and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) on the complex dilemmas that policing faces in the modern world. When first established in 2014 the Greater Manchester Ethics Committee was the first of its type in the country due to its wide-ranging remit and GMP’s commitment to giving access to their systems and people, all with the aim of building trust and public confidence in policing.

Dame Robina said: “I am delighted to join the Ethics Committee at this crucial time, especially with its focus on integrating and sustaining core principles of ethics in policing. As former Chair of the Professional Standards Board at Greater Manchester Police and Board Advisor to the College of Policing, I hope to share this specific experience to further strengthen the Committees role in ensuring independent scrutiny of policing practice, behaviour, and professionalism. It is essential we build and earn trust with all our key stakeholders and therefore active collaboration, partnership and engagement with my colleagues, the police, and the community we serve will be a top priority.

further information can be found on the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s website here.

New Year Honour’s List 2024

Mrs Diane Hawkins the Lord-Lieutenant in uniform outside Manchester Cathedral
Diane Hawkins JP LLB, the Lord-Lieutenant

The Lord-Lieutenant would like to congratulate all the Greater Manchester recipients of Honours in The King’s New Year Honour’s List. Honours are a fantastic way of thanking ordinary people doing extraordinary things and this would not be possible without the people taking the time to nominate them, whom she would also like to particularly thank. Should you know of someone who deserves to be nominated then please go to our honours website where you can find out how to do it. http://www.gmhonours.org/

The people who live in Greater Manchester and have received an Honour in the New Year List are as follows:

Order of The British Empire

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established on 4 June 1917 by King George V.

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

A CBE is given to a person who has demonstrated a prominent national role, a conspicuous leading role in regional affairs through achievement or service to the community, or a highly distinguished, innovative contribution in his or her area of activity. The following people have been awarded a CBE:

Huw Charles DAVIES.
A resident of Bury. Lately Chief Executive, British Association for Supported Employment.
For services to Employment for Disabled People

Yvonne Helen FOVARGUE MP
A resident of Wigan. Member of Parliament for Makerfield.
For Political and Public Service

Professor Danielle Amanda GEORGE MBE
A resident of Stockport. Professor of Radio Frequency Engineering, University of Manchester.
For services to Public Engagement in Engineering

Kevin SINFIELD OBE
A resident of Oldham.
For services to Motor Neurone Disease Awareness

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

An OBE is given to someone who has demonstrated a distinguished regional or county-wide role in any field, through achievement or service to the community including notable practitioners known nationally. The following people have been awarded and OBE:

Eamonn John BOYLAN
A resident of Manchester. Chief Executive, Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
For services to Local Government

Michael George EAKIN
A resident of Trafford. Chief Executive, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.
For services to Music and to the community in Liverpool, Merseyside

An OBE for a female and other medals of the Order of the British Empire
An OBE for a Female Recipient

Katie GALLAGHER
A resident of Trafford. Director, Manchester Digital.
For services to the Digital Technology Industry in the North-West

Antony Craig LOCKLEY
A resident of Manchester. Director of Strategy and Assistant Chief Executive, Blackpool Council.
For services to Local Government

Professor Joyce Ann TYLDESLEY
A resident of Bolton. Professor of Egyptology, University of Manchester.
For services to Egyptology and Heritage

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

An MBE is given to a person for achievement or service in and to the community which is outstanding in its field and has delivered sustained and real impact which stands out as an example to others. The following people have been awarded the MBE:

Peter George BUCHAN
A resident of Trafford. Managing Director, Shipping, Nuclear Transport Solutions.
For services to the Nuclear Industry and to Young People

Amanda CHADWICK
A resident of Trafford. Founder and Trustee, Pyjama Fairies.
For services to Children in Hospital

John Hubert COX
A resident of Trafford. Chair, Joseph Cox Charity.
For services to Homeless People in Manchester

Paul FAIRWEATHER
A resident of Manchester. Trustee, Breakthrough Ltd.
For services to Disabled People and to the LGBT Community in the North West

Rhiane Estelle FATINIKUN
A resident of Bolton. Founder, Black Girls Hike.
For services to Nature and to Diversity

Daniel Peter HILL
A resident of Wigan. Director, Daddys with Angels.
For charitable services to Bereaved Families

Helen Louise HYNDMAN
A resident of Bury. Service Coordinator, Ask Eve, The Eve Appeal.
For charitable services to Women with Gynaecological Cancers

Lydia Anna Obat INA
A resident of Manchester. Foster Carer and Founder, Gapolunya Foundation.
For services to Vulnerable Children

Kenneth INCE
A resident of Wigan. Scout Leader, 1st Golborne (St Thomas) Scout Group.
For services to Young People in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan

Sheila INCE
A resident of Wigan. Cub Scout Leader, 1st Golborne (St Thomas) Scout Group.
For services to Young People in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan

Nicholas Edward JOHNSON
A resident of Trafford. Co-Founder and Director, Market Operations.
For services to Business and to the Food Sector

Christine Anne KENYON
A resident of Bolton. Deputy Principal, The Manchester College.
For services to Further Education

Robert James Hammond MALCOMSON
A resident of Bury. Deputy Director, Cabinet Office.
For public and voluntary service to the LGBTQ+ Community and to Homeless People

Marion Anne MEAKIN
A resident of Manchester. Senior Probation Officer, North West Probation Service, HM Prison and Probation Service.
For services to Reducing Reoffending and Public Protection

Kathryn Ann MORLEY
A resident of Manchester. Lately Chief Executive Officer, OnSide.
For services to Young People

Tori Pamela Anne OLPHIN
A resident of Rochdale. Chief Data Scientist and Head of Research, Thames Valley Police.
For services to Technology in the Public Sector

Ehinor OTAIGBE-AMEDU
A resident of Bolton
For services to Women in Greater Manchester

Yassamin SHEEL
A resident of Rochdale. National Lead, United Teaching, Greater Manchester.
For services to Children

Stephen Terence SORRELL
A resident of Stockport. Director, Small Things Creative Projects Community Interest Company.
For services to Arts and Culture in Greater Manchester

Jenny THOMPSON
A resident of Trafford. Co-Founder and Director, Market Operations.
For services to the Business and Food Sectors

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

A BEM is awarded to people who have contributed a very hands-on service to the community in a local geographical area. Either sustained commitment in support of local charitable or voluntary activity or innovative work that has delivered real impact in a short period (3/4 years). The following people have been awarded a BEM:

British Empire Medals

Reverend Christine Joyce ASPINALL
A resident of Manchester
For services to the community in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester

Ann CHAPMAN
A resident of Bury.
For services to the community in Radcliffe, Metropolitan Borough of Bury

Edward EVERETT
A resident of Trafford. Member, Friends of Bridgwater Canal.
For services to the Environment in Sale, Metropolitan Borough of Trafford

Daniel HERMAN
A resident of Trafford
For services to Education and to Holocaust Awareness

Patricia Carol JARMAN
A resident of Tameside.
For services to the community in Stalybridge, Metropolitan Borough of Tameside

William Ellis NIXON
A resident of Trafford. Honorary Secretary, Social Enterprise UK.
For services to Young People in the West Midlands

Rachel Frances PARKINSON
A resident of Bury.
For services to the community in Whitefield, Greater Manchester during Covid-19

Mahbubur RAHMAN
A resident of Oldham.
For services to Charity and to the community in Oldham, Greater Manchester

Helen Elizabeth WALTON
A resident of Rochdale. Policy Adviser, Rochdale Council.
For services to Children in Care and Children in Poverty

Dr Jane WILCOCK
A resident of Bolton. Chair, North West Faculty, Royal College of General Practitioners and lately General Practitioner, Silverdale Medical Practice, Swinton, Greater Manchester.
For services to General Practice

Roy WOOD
A resident of Wigan. Coach, Aspull Wrestling Club, Wigan, Greater Manchester.
For services to Wrestling and Young People

King’s Award for Voluntary Service Winners 2023

Twenty three Greater Manchester voluntary groups have been honoured with a King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Commonly known as the MBE for volunteer groups, it is the highest award a group can receive in the UK.

The King's Award for Voluntary Service Logo

They are part of a group of 262 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive this prestigious award this year across the UK. The number of nominations remains high year on year, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving. Greater Manchester has received the most awards of any County in the UK for the 6th year running, which shows how committed and full of innovative ideas our volunteers are, making life better for those around them.

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. The Greater Manchester award winners are a wonderfully diverse group and will receive their award in the New Year from The Lord-Lieutenant.

A list of Greater Manchester winners is here:

Bolton
BCOM Funeral Service
Create Bolton

Bury
Bury LGBTQ+ Forum
Bury People First
Supporting Sisters

Manchester
Feed My City
Friends of Didsbury Park
NEPHRA Good Neighbours
Olympias Music Foundation

Rochdale
Aspire 2 Inspire Communities CIC
Jolly Josh

Salford

Caritas Diocese of Salford
Princes Park Garden Centre
Women with Wings CIC

Tameside
Finding Rainbows
LEAP Children, Families & Communities

Trafford
Special Educational Needs Family Support Group
Trafford Veterans

Wigan
Bridgers Community Group
CIC Kildare Grange Social Dancing Section
Place 2 Place Football Club
The One House Aspull
Wigan Youth Zone

Retiring Deputy Lieutenant – Mrs Edith Conn OBE JP DL

Edith celebrated her 75th Birthday on the 7th October and has retired her Commission. The Lord-Lieutenant thanks her for her dedication in serving the communities of Greater Manchester and the North West, her charitable work and fundraising and serving for 22 years as a Deputy Lieutenant.

Edith was born in 1948 and was educated at Manchester Metropolitan University where she was awarded a B.A.(Hons) Humanities.

Over the years Edith has given a significant amount of her time to the community and to a number of different charities and charities. She worked as a counsellor with the Citizens Advice Bureau and was the treasurer for the NSPCC. Edith became chairman of Manchester International Exhibition of Expressionism, was a committee member of the North West War Pensions Committee, chairman of Heart Research, Greater Manchester and a committee member of Christie Against Cancer.

Edith joined the Greater Manchester Branch of the British Red Cross in 1978 and since that time has held varied responsibilities including: District co-ordinator, Finance committee member, Branch Trustee, Awards Panel Chairman, 125th Birthday Chairman, North West Chairman of the National Humanity Awards, Landmine Appeal Chairman, a member of the Board for British Red Cross Events Ltd., committee member of the International Red Cross Gala Ball, Honorary Branch Director and chairman of the Manchester Gala Ball. In 1989 Edith was awarded the Badge of Honour for Devoted Service and Honorary Life Membership and in 1993 the Badge of Honour for Continued Dedicated and Distinguished Service. She was appointed Deputy President of The Greater Manchester Red Cross in 1995 and that same year she was appointed Magistrate to the Bolton Bench and became a chairman in 2000. In 1999 she was appointed President of the Greater Manchester Red Cross.

In 2000 Edith was honoured by Her Majesty The Queen when she was awarded the OBE for services to The Greater Manchester Red Cross.

Edith’s interest in the Red Cross continues and grows; she was appointed President of the North West Area of the British Red Cross in 2005 and received the Badge of Honour for Outstanding Service to the British Red Cross.

Edith is a trustee of The Skelton Charity and the Chair of Greater Manchester Committee of CrimeStoppers but the hardest volunteering she has ever done was as Trustee and Chair of We Love Manchester charity in the wake of the Arena bomb.

Edith was appointed High Sheriff of Greater Manchester in 2008 and served a three year tenure as Vice Lord-Lieutenant from 2014 – 2017.

Thank you Edith from all of us at the GM Lieutenancy.

Retiring Deputy Lieutenant – Mrs Khumi Burton JP DL

Khumi celebrated her 75th Birthday on the 21st September and has retired her Commission. The Lord-Lieutenant thanks her for her dedication in serving the communities of Greater Manchester and Cheshire, her charitable work and fundraising and serving for 20 years as a Deputy Lieutenant.

Khumi was born in Manipur, India, near the Burmese Frontier in 1948. After graduation, to avoid following her father’s footstep and join the Indian Civil Service, she joined instead Air India and had postings in Beirut, Hong Kong, Perth and London during her 5 year stint. In 1976 she married Sidney Burton a retired Major with the Cheshire Regiment.

Khumi has spent most of her married life working within the Community in Cheshire and Manchester. She was the Team Attaché for Turks and Caicos during the Commonwealth Games; organiser of the Portico Prize for Literature (a mini Booker Prize of the North); served as member of the Air Transport Users Council (CAA appointment) and sat on Manchester Airport consultative committee; a Board of Visitors for Styal Prison and then a Board member and subsequently Chairman of Greater Manchester Crimestoppers.

She co-ordinated the 750th Anniversary Events of the Parish of Wilmslow in 2000; initiated the Wilmslow Street Party in 2002 to celebrate the Queens Jubilee and is now a yearly Community Event; organised the VJ-Day celebration for Veterans in Wilmslow/Stockport in 2005 and organised visits to Arboretum in Litchfield for the surviving ATS/WRACS.

She raised funds to build much needed houses for earthquake victims and families in Gujarat. She enjoys raising funds and promoting good causes like the Genesis Centre, the Red Cross, Marie Curie, Henshaws for the Blind etc.

Her involvement with the Office for National Statistics as an Interviewer gave her the chance to be in touch with people from all walks of life and background and gave her better understanding and insight of the Society we live in.

Khumi’s enthusiasm for the Community does not diminish. She is currently a Royal Volunteer NHS Responder, a role she undertook during the Covid Pandemic, she also raises awareness of Combat Stress (an Army Charity), especially PTSD by organising fundraising lunches and talks.

She sat as a Magistrate on the Manchester Bench in the Adult Court from 1998 until 2011 and a General Commissioner of Income Tax for Manchester Central and South from 1994.

She is interested and enjoys meeting people from all walks of life and is at ease with them.

Khumi was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant in 2003.

Thank you from everyone at the Greater Manchester Lieutenancy.

Retiring Deputy Lieutenant – Mr. William (Bill) Hampson OBE DL

Bill celebrated his 75th Birthday on the 23rd August and has retired his Commission. The Lord-Lieutenant thanks Bill for his dedication in serving the communities of Greater Manchester and his extensive work abroad helping vulnerable people and for the last 18 years as a Deputy Lieutenant.

Bill is a leading campaigner for human rights and a former founder member of the Jubilee Campaign. He was made a Freeman of Wigan in 2000 for his work, particularly in Eastern Europe.

As a Director of the Epiphany Trust, Bill has developed a range of award winning projects in Romania, with the Karen People in Thailand and Burma and in Sri Lanka as well as founding Chrysalis Holidays – a social enterprise in Greater Manchester providing educational holidays for adults with learning disabilities.

Bill’s background is in surveying in which role he has worked in the UK, Europe and the Middle East. He currently sits on the board of ‘Crossroads Global Village’ which companies with surplus goods with charities that need them.
Bill received an OBE in 2020, honoured for ‘Services to vulnerable people overseas’.

An Honorary Rotarian with Newton-le-Willows Jubilee Rotary and President of Lowton Independent Methodist Church. He is married to Pam and was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant in 2005.

Science, Technology and Research Honours Panel

Do you want to find out how the honours system works and how the Independent Honours Committee members decide who does and does not get awarded? Do you know someone deserving of an honour who works in the science, technology or research community?

The Cabinet Office and Government Office for Science will be hosting a free in person and online honours event on the 12th September from 11:15am – 12pm. Join this unique panel event which will feature both independent honours committee members and recent honours recipients, who will share their insights into how the honours system works and how we can nominate more outstanding people in the science, technology and research community for these prestigious awards.

Confirmed speakers so far include:

  • Dame Angela Mclean, Government Chief Scientific Advisor and member of the Science, Research and Technology Honours Committee
  • Stephen Kelly, Chair of the Science, Technology and Research Honours Committee
  • Dame Sue Ion, Chairman of the UK Nuclear Innovation Research Advisory Board
  • Professor Dhiya Al-Jumeily OBE, Professor of Artificial Intelligence and President of eSystems Engineering Society.

This event is open to the public – so please help us spread the word to anyone you know in the North of England and/or in the Science, Technology or Research community.

You can register to attend in person or online via Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/science-research-technology-honours-panel-tickets-698905835167

Please reach out to william.mitchell2@cabinetoffice.gov.uk with any questions about the event.

Investiture Ceremony July 2023

The Monastery Manchester

In a ceremony at The Monastery, Manchester, on the 4th July 2023, 8 Honour’s Recipients received their medals from The Lord-Lieutenant. The Vice Lord-Lieutenant and all the recipients’ home town Mayors were also in attendance to help and to congratulate them all.

There were 7 recipients of the British Empire Medal and also a recipient of an MBE who attended with friends and family to celebrate their fantastic achievements in the wonderful setting of the Great Nave at The Monastery.

Co-op Academy Choir

A choir from the Co-op Academy Manchester also sang before and after the ceremony and lead everyone singing the National Anthem.

The recipients and their guests from across Greater Manchester listened to the citations which were read out by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant and broke into applause as each of the stories were revealed and each walked forward to receive their medals from the Lord-Lieutenant.

The recipients and their stories are as follows:

Christopher Paul Ashworth BEM (Tameside)

Chris is the Estates Manager at Ashton Sixth Form College. He was pivotal in ensuring that the college staff were safe, and that the college was a healthy place to return to work after the Covid Pandemic lockdowns, during which he was on site every day making sure that everywhere was secure.

Once decisions were made about the return to work, he single-handedly sourced the required PPE and cleaning equipment, and worked tirelessly with one other member of his team to make the necessary changes to classrooms including removing furniture and reconfiguring classroom layouts to meet COVID requirements and installing Perspex screens. He even took deliveries at home whilst the college was shut. Chris also organised and completed a one-way system for the college and worked across jobs which were not in his area. He turned his hand to reprographics, printing posters for the return and he took time to learn how to don and doff PPE correctly and then trained all the cleaning team and the first aiders, so they were comfortable in its use. He did all of this with his customary cheerfulness.

In addition, Chris supported the NHS and local people. His wife is a staff nurse at Tameside Hospital, and he helped support their work by providing PPE and helped elderly residents with shopping and errands. He did all of this in addition to his day job, with most of his team either shielding or unable to come in as they were vulnerable or furloughed.

In other times, Chris single-handedly saved the college hundreds of thousands of pounds through the renegotiation of contracts, all of which could then be spent on teaching and learning.

Chris is a long-standing member of the college team and is the sort of person every organisation needs. He is hard-working, caring, innovative and can rise to any challenge.

Martyn James Davies BEM (Salford)

Since completing his training Martyn has been driven to improve the lives of people living in care homes, making it another fulfilling chapter of a person’s life.

He bought Urmston Manor at a point when it was rated as inadequate by the Care Quality Commission but within a year had transformed it into an ‘outstanding’ rated home. Martyn focusses on ensuring that the residents are having the best quality of life and feel part of the community.

In each room he makes sure that there is a television showing a personalised photograph slide show. For the dementia residents, their memories are so important, and they really enjoy talking to the care home staff about their very fond memories from the pictures. In addition, each resident has a voice-activated device which will switch their lights on and off and play their own individual music playlists.

His home supports the Manchester Mad Dogs Project, a charity providing meals for the homeless of Manchester. The residents join the care home staff in peeling vegetables and sometimes help deliver meals to homeless people helping the residents to feel a valued part of the wider community. Urmston Manor was also the first in Trafford to link in with a local school where residents meet with the school children removing generational boundaries.

During the pandemic he moved into the home and at the start of the Christmas pandemic lockdown, he bought bird houses for the residents to paint and then put them outside the home for passers-by to take and put up in their gardens.

Martyn also supports Skills for Care in their training plans by supporting the design of training for care home staff to develop in their roles. He set up a local WhatsApp group with all the care home managers to share information about training.

At a time when we have never needed our Adult Social Care nursing teams more, Martyn’s work and leadership have been a beacon in the sector.

Winifred Mary Dignan MBE (Rochdale)

Wyn has been a Non-Executive Director in the NHS for over twenty years. She has chaired NHS Boards at North Manchester Primary Care Trust, Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust and North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust. Wyn’s commitment to the NHS has been exemplary and consistently demonstrated throughout her long and dedicated service as a Chair, by creating an ethos of accountability, openness, integrity and compassion.

Wyn has strived to deliver the very best quality of service to patients and their families, and to put them at the heart of service provision with the key priority being the delivery of high quality, safe services and the best possible patient experience.

Consequently, over the years she has chaired Boards and spent significant time visiting and experiencing front line service provision from both patient and staff perspectives. This further evidences her commitment to establishing a listening and learning culture. Wyn deliberately chooses not to have an office so she can be mobile and visible in her leadership across the Trust and completely engage with Board, clinicians, managers and staff across the NHS organisations, in addition to patients and other key stakeholders.

Wyn has worked passionately and selflessly to motivate staff to make a difference and to improve the quality of services and performance in all the settings she has worked. This involved going the extra mile and investing more hours than is expected of the role. She has spent time on mental health wards on night shifts and with paramedic and patient transport crews. Wyn has met with staff, patients and relatives in times of trauma, loss, anger and distress, and is so inspirational in how empathetic and supportive she always has been in the many occasions there have been over her time in the National Health Service.

Wyn is an excellent role model and much admired and respected.

John (Jack) Patrick Holt BEM (Bolton)

Jack has made an incredible contribution to Bolton Olympic Wrestling Club, volunteering there for over 50 years as a committee member and Chair.

In addition to his visible presence, working on the front desk, most of his selfless contribution is ‘behind the scenes’. Through his resourcefulness and determination, he ensures the club’s building is always well maintained and ready to welcome the diverse range of people who use the club’s facilities. Alongside his own time and labour, he uses his initiative and doggedness to source funding and assistance from local businesses and other tradesmen as well as members to keep the club going. The club is based in a deprived area, but admission prices are amazingly low. This is only possible because of his conscientious efforts and the diligent management of the club’s funds which ensures it remains accessible to all in the community. Jack’s effective running of the club also helps some youngsters to travel to international competitions, ensuring that regardless of means or background, any young talented wrestler can represent their country.

Jack is a real ambassador of the sport and the spirit of wrestling and community. His dedication has kept the club going through good times and bad, surviving recessions and keeping the strong sense of community alive. This is not the only voluntary work which Jack is involved in. For many years, he has carried out building work and maintenance at his local parish churches. Jack has assisted a succession of priests at St Osmund’s and St Andrew’s for over 30 years, even planning out and implementing the re-building of a bar area in St Osmund’s Parish Hall at the age of 79. His zeal for using his skills to help others is boundless.

A Lifetime Fellowship Award winner: Jack is the beating heart of the Club and an unsung hero of Olympic Free Wrestling.

Liam Manton BEM (Manchester) and Mark Smallwood BEM (Trafford)

(Mark was unable to attend on the day)

Liam and Mark are co-founders of Didsbury Gin, a commercial gin distiller. At the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK they recognised that there was a need for the company to do its part, especially here in Greater Manchester which was one of the hardest hit areas of the country.

In March 2020, Didsbury Gin was one of the first of many businesses across the country to adapt by converting its production to meet a national need in combatting the coronavirus. In their case, by producing hand sanitiser. In the space of just seven days, they produced two million bottles of hand sanitiser which were then distributed to front-line service providers and key workers in the Greater Manchester area including police, adult social care, GP surgeries and local public transport. In April, during the period of national shortages in this area, they procured and donated 35,000 items of PPE to Manchester Social Care. In addition, Liam and Mark worked with the Manchester Bar Network to create job opportunities for those in the hospitality industry who were out of work because of the pandemic.

Liam and Mark are major local participant in the government Kickstart Scheme which is designed to generate good paying job opportunities for young people aged 16-24 who are at risk of unemployment.

They also work as part of the UK Spirits Alliance (UKSA) to highlight the importance of the spirits industry to the UK economy and have met regularly with ministers from HM Treasury to campaign for changes to the system of duties and tariffs on alcohol. The candidate’s work with the UKSA saw many new distilleries open, with the overall number of distilleries increasing from 190 in 2015 to 710 in 2020.

Liam and Mark are conscientious business owners, using their ability and responsibility to benefit the local community and help wider society.

Michael Anthony Newman BEM (Bury)

Born completely blind, Mike always had a passion for cars, so much so, it was his life’s ambition to become a racing driver. This ambition came with many challenges but he worked tirelessly to live his dream; he is now a nine times World Record Holder and is currently the fastest blind man on land and water on the planet. In 2012, Mike set up his charity, Speed of Sight (SOS), founded with the initial purpose of giving driving experiences to blind people who had been told they would never get the chance to get behind the wheel and drive.

SOS now empowers blind and disabled people to drive a car. He and his team travel to all corners of the country to enable people, some with with severe disabilities, to attend their track days. Mike meets participants after each event to gauge their reactions and gets huge satisfaction from hearing someone had the time of their lives.

Initially starting with one sports car, the charity now has four cars, which are used regularly throughout the racing season at circuits all over the UK. They are currently running twenty plus events yearly. Mike never forgot the support he has received throughout his life and named all the cars after his previous guide dogs with each car having its own identity, personality, strengths and role within the charity.

In addition, Mike is an inspirational speaker and promotes positive awareness around disability by speaking on television, encouraging people with sight impairments to do whatever they want to do. SOS also delivers a unique experience for sighted people to understand what driving without that sense is like by using blindfolds. This not only increases awareness of difficulties faced by disability but encourages essential team building skills, such as trust and communication.

Known in racing circles as “Super Human, Mike Newman”, he has made an extraordinary difference to the disabled community, making sure they know that being disabled does not mean that they are unable.

Peter Gordon Nicol BEM (Bury)

Peter has been an outstanding member of Bury College Governing Body since 2004, becoming Chair in 2008. He has inducted and mentored over twenty new Governors, creating an environment where they can constructively contribute and are comfortable challenging leaders. In addition, the college has maintained a strong financial position, which has enabled capital investments of over £50m, creating world-class facilities, whilst delivering outstanding value to the public purse.

Under Peter’s leadership the college has had fantastic results. Over 30% of students are from an ethnic minority background and this cohort are consistently placed among the best in the country. In 2019/20 they were in the top 10% for student progress in Advanced Level 3 courses, top 3% of Further Education Colleges for English progress, and top 6% for maths progress. His unrelenting pursuit of excellence has introduced the Positive Futures initiative which focuses on developing student’s key study, employability and transferable skills to support their progression with around 1,000 students successfully progressing to university and employment every year. To remove barriers, he ensures the college’s Higher Education course fees are among the lowest in the country. As a result, over half of the Higher Education learners come from areas of deprivation.

Peter fosters excellent relationships across the community including with Fisherfield Farm Nurseries and Play Football, securing specialist facilities for the college and helping widen participation. A recent Big Lottery project advocated by him helped support over 500 hard-to-reach residents and was recognised as 2018’s Festival of Learning National Project of the Year.

This commitment has seen the college create Bury College Education Trust in 2014 to support local schools. All primary schools in the Trust have improved their Ofsted rating. Peter also drove the college’s Covid-19 response, including staying open for vulnerable students, making thousands of phone calls and home visits to ensure students remain safe, implementing remote learning, adjustments to classrooms and timetables.

Peter is a shining example of educational leadership in action.

Alison Jean Peek BEM (Salford)

In March 2020 at the start of the pandemic, the National Federation of Women’s Institute were slow in helping its members struggling with the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic. Whilst some W.I.s had their own websites or Facebook pages; they were not using them to properly interact with their members. In reaction to this, Alison, along with a member from Middlesex, formed the ‘W.I. Wanderers’, a national Facebook group which provided online events every day for members in the safety of their own homes. It quickly had over two and a half thousand members from across the UK.

Alison organised zoom calls, documentaries, exercise classes, art workshops and informative talks for ladies to combat loneliness and anxiety. Many of the women had not spoken to anyone for several days; these online sessions were a welcome relief and lifeline which created support and friendship. This work was alongside a paid job, but she still found the time and inclination to help other women who were struggling in these unprecedented times.

There were obstacles to overcome, with many older members not having the technical skills to use equipment or zoom, but she personally took time to hold one-to-one lessons to teach them, giving them access to wider resources away from the group. This has been a substantial initiative that has been a lifeline to so many and provided a sense of belonging in a time of being alone.

Following on from a virtual meeting with members from Canada, it became very clear to Alison that members do not always want to be entertained; they just want the opportunity to have human interaction. She was determined to continue to provide that service.

The group is hugely successful and now has over 8,000 members. The impact on this group has been enormous, with members being given confidence and self-belonging especially at a time when many could not leave their homes. This would not have been achievable without her commitment, energy and organisation.

Birthday Honour’s List 2023

Mrs Diane Hawkins the Lord-Lieutenant in uniform outside Manchester Cathedral
Mrs Diane Hawkins JP LLB, the Lord-Lieutenant

The Lord-Lieutenant would like to congratulate all the Greater Manchester recipients of Honours in The King’s Birthday Honour’s List. Honours are a fantastic way of thanking ordinary people doing extraordinary things and this would not be possible without the people taking the time to nominate them, whom she would also like to particularly thank. Should you know of someone who deserves to be nominated then please go to our honours website where you can find out how to do it: http://www.gmhonours.org/. The Cabinet Office have also created a very informative website about the UK Honours System which can be found here: https://honours.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/

The people who live in Greater Manchester and have received an Honour in the Birthday List are as follows:

The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George

The Order of St Michael and St George was founded in 1818. It was originally bestowed solely upon those in high positions in the Mediterranean (Malta and the Ionian Islands) but now recognises service to the UK, overseas or internationally, or in relation to Foreign and Commonwealth affairs. This could be, for example, senior diplomats for exceptional service, outstanding contributions to major International Organisations and the Sovereign’s Representatives in Commonwealth Realms.

Companion of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George

A Companion of the Order recognises prominent and highly distinguished contributions overseas and in international affairs for example exceptional service in the senior international roles.

Geoffrey Charles KNUPFER
A resident of Manchester. Lately Lead Forensic Scientist and Head of Investigation Team, Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains. For Public Service

Order of The British Empire

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established on 4 June 1917 by King George V.

Officers of the Order of the British Empire

An OBE for a female and other medals of the Order of the British Empire
An OBE for a Female Recipient

An OBE is given to someone who has demonstrated a distinguished regional or county-wide role in any field, through achievement or service to the community including notable practitioners known nationally. The following people have been awarded an OBE:

Jonathan Michael DUTTON
A resident of Wigan. Chief Executive Officer, Rugby League World Cup. For services to Rugby

Suzanne Lisa GRIFFIN
A resident of Bolton. Deputy Director, DWP Digital, Department for Work and Pensions. For Public Service

Graham QUINN
A resident of Bury. Chief Executive Officer, New Bridge Multi Academy Trust, Oldham, For services to Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Nicola Jayne SMITH
a resident of Bolton. Governor, HM Prison Risley. For services to HM Prison and Probation Service

Members of the Order of the British Empire

An MBE for a Male Recipient

An MBE is given to a person for achievement or service in and to the community which is outstanding in its field and has delivered sustained and real impact which stands out as an example to others. The following people have been awarded the MBE:

Deborah Jayne BLACKBURN
A resident of Stockport. Assistant Principal, Finance, Aquinas College, Stockport, Greater Manchester. For services to Further Education

Professor Frank BOWLING
A resident of Bolton. Professor of Translational and Experimental Medicine; Departments of Diabetes and Vascular Surgery, Manchester Foundation Trust. For services to Medical Organisations Overseas.

Vanita BROOKES
A resident of Bolton. Fellow, Faculty of Dental Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons of England. For services to the Oral Health of People with Disabilities

Hayley Karen CITRINE
A resident of Trafford. Lately Chief Nurse North West, NHS England. For services to Nursing

Denise EAD
A resident of Stockport. Former Charity Trustee, Helping Uganda Schools. For services to the Education and Health of Children in Uganda and Rwanda

Jonathan Grant EVANS
A resident of Trafford. For services to Association Football in Northern Ireland

Nicola Jean FLEURY
A resident of Salford. Managing Director, Kidzrus Nursery Group, Salford. For services to Early Years Education and to the community in Salford

Peter HART
A resident of Wigan. District Executive Committee Member, Wigan and District Scout Council. For services to Young People in Greater Manchester

Zoe Branka HOLLAND
A resident of Trafford. For Charitable Service, particularly during Covid-19

Dr Rosemary MCCARTHY
A resident of Trafford. Head of Global Workforce, Education and Research, Health Education England. For services to Midwifery and Maternity Healthcare

Michelle Sharon MORRIS
A resident of Salford. Early Years Language and Communication Pathway Lead, Greater Manchester Combined Authority. For services to Speech and Language Therapy

Professor Robert Charles PEARSON
A resident of Stockport. Lately Chair, Clinical Ethics Committee, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. For services to Medicine, to Medical Education and to Health Research and Innovation

Petro REWKO
A resident of Tameside. Board Chairman, Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain. For services to the Ukrainian Community

Alison ROSS
A resident of Manchester. Operations and Culture Director, Auto Trader. For services to the Digital and Technology Industry

Mercy Lusungu SHIBEMBA
A resident of Oldham. Speaker and Campaigner. For services to People with HIV

Sandra STRONG
A resident of Stockport. Chair, Customs and Export Licensing Committee, British Exporters Association. For services to British Exporters

Lloyd Justin THOMAS
A resident of Salford. Lead, Apprenticeships and Funded Skills, The Co-operative Group. For services to Food Retail

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire

A British Empire Medal in its box
British Empire Medals

A BEM is awarded to people who have contributed a very hands-on service to the community in a local geographical area. Either sustained commitment in support of local charitable or voluntary activity or innovative work that has delivered real impact in a short period (3/4 years). The following people have been awarded a BEM:

Idris ALI
A resident of Oldham. Provision Contracts Manager, Department for Work and Pensions. For voluntary service to the community in Oldham

Icek Jankel ALTERMAN
A resident of Bury. For services to Holocaust Remembrance and Education

Robert Frank BONNER
A resident of Rochdale. Curator, Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum Trust. For services to Fire and Rescue Heritage

Norman BROWN
A resident of Wigan. Group Scout Leader, 3rd Hindley Scout Group. For services to Young People

Henry FINNEY
A resident of Tameside. Voluntary Boxing Coach. For services to Boxing and to Young People

Carol Janice Veronica GODBY
A resident of Rochdale. Drama Workshop Leader and Agent. For services to Drama and to the community in North West England

Oyovwe Sagbodje KIGHO
A resident of Oldham. Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Widows Empowerment Trust. For services to Bereaved People in Manchester

Anthony MCALLISTER
A resident of Tameside. Football Coach. For services to Association Football and to Young People in Manchester

Mohammad MIRZA
A resident of Tameside. Caseworker, HM Revenue and Customs. For services to Mental Health

Geoffrey Bruce SWORD
A resident of Bury. Lately Chair, Summerseat Players. For services to Drama and to the communities of Greater Manchester and East Lancashire

Retiring Deputy Lieutenant – Mrs Christine Lee-Jones DL MA MIMgt FRSA

Christine celebrated her 75th Birthday on the 13th June and retired her Commission. The Lord-Lieutenant thanks her for her dedication in serving the communities of Greater Manchester for over 30 years in the education and voluntary sectors and for the last 16 years as a Deputy Lieutenant.

Christine was employed in education both in the state and independent sectors moving from London to Greater Manchester in 1991 to become Principal of Eccles Sixth form College in Salford. She was appointed Head Mistress of Manchester High School for Girls in 1998 and retired from that position in December 2008. During her time in the North West she was and remains committed to voluntary service both in the charity and education sectors.

In the education sector she has been a Governor of both the University of Salford and the University of Manchester and a Member of the General Assembly of the latter. In addition she was a Governor of Altrincham Girls Grammar School, a member of the Further Education Funding Council Quality Assessment Committee, Joint Chairman of the HMC/GSA Professional Development Committee and a member of the GSA Council with responsibility for the training of newly appointed Heads.

On her retirement Christine continued her commitment to public service by becoming a Non Executive Director of the Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery, a NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool. She was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant in 2007 and appointed a Justice of the Peace in 2008 sitting on both the Trafford and Manchester Benches. She was High Sheriff of Greater Manchester in 2011-12 and in that capacity became a member of The Greater Manchester Police High Sheriff Trust. In 2012 Christine also became a trustee of Prevent Breast Cancer, a post which she continues to hold.

Thank you from everyone at the Lieutenancy.