Press release

Eric Pickles congratulates New Year's Honours 2015 recipients

Communities Secretary congratulates individuals from local government, fire, housing and the voluntary sector.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
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Congratulations to everyone recognised in the New Year Honours list. This year’s list contains a significant number of people from our key policy sectors which reflects the huge impact they have on society.

Secretary of State Eric Pickles said:

Congratulations to everyone from local government, fire, housing and the voluntary sector recognised on the New Year’s Honours list. It is superb that these individuals have been acknowledged in this way for their extraordinary contribution, impact to public service and dedication to local communities.

Housing and planning

  • David Bennett, Chief Executive, Sanctuary Housing Group receives a CBE for services to social housing
  • Keith Exford, Chief Executive, Affinity Sutton Group receives a CBE for services to housing in London
  • David Ashmore, lately Chief Executive, Greensquare Group and Member, South West Local Enterprise Partnership receives a MBE for services to housing in the south west of England
  • Mrs Sonia Ritchie-Park, Volunteer and Fundraiser, Swan Lodge Lifehouse receives a BEM for services to homeless people

Fire service

  • John Douglas Bonney QFSM, lately, Chief Fire Officer, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service receives a CBE for services to local government
  • Professor David Purser, Toxicologist receives a CBE for services to fire safety
  • David Etheridge, Chief Fire Officer, Oxfordshire County Council receives an OBE for services to the community
  • James William Gair, Watch Manager (Retained) Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service receives a MBE for services to the community in Morpeth, Northumberland
  • Geoffrey Roy Spokes JP, lately Watch Manager, Long Buckby Fire Station receives a BME for services to the community in Long Buckby, Northamptonshire
  • Brian Ernest John Walsingham, retained firefighter, Corby Glen Fire Station receives a BEM for services to the community
  • Trevor Dennis Stratford QGM, Director of Operations, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service receives a BEM for services to the fire and rescue service
  • Maurice Hodgson, Firefighter and Manager, Bolton-le-Sands Fire Station, Lancashire receives a BEM for services to the community
  • Mrs Dee Phillips, Fire Emergency Support Co-ordinator, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service receives a BEM for services to the community
  • Robert Coles, Fleet Manager, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service receives a BEM for services to the fire and rescue service and to the community
  • James Anthony Owen, Deputy County Fire Officer, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service receives a QFSM for services to the fire and rescue service
  • Daniel Stephens, Chief Fire Officer, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service receives a QFSM For services to the fire and rescue service
  • Robert Ratcliffe, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service receives a QFSM for services to the fire and rescue service
  • Richard James Smith, lately Chief Fire Officer, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service receives a QFSM for services to the fire and rescue service
  • Desmond Tidbury, Chief Fire Officer and Director of Community Safety and Protection, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service receives a QFSM for services to the fire and rescue service

Community services

  • Miss Adeeba Malik, Deputy Chief Executive, QED-UK receives a CBE for services to interfaith and community cohesion
  • Ms Sajda Kauser Mughal receives an OBE for services to community cohesion and interfaith dialogue
  • Dr Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia receives an OBE for services to interfaith and community cohesion
  • Ms Laura Marks, Founder, Mitzvah Day receives an OBE for services to interfaith relations
  • Councillor Mrs Margaret Mead, London Borough of Croydon receives a MBE for voluntary service to the community in Croydon
  • Ms Anne Marie Naylor receives a MBE for services to community asset ownership
  • Mrs Doreen Mooney, Community Worker, New Heights, Kingstanding receives a MBE for services to the community in Birmingham
  • Ms Shahin Ashraf, Muslim Chaplain, Birmingham receives a MBE for services to interfaith and community cohesion
  • Ms Luana Smith receives a MBE for services to the community in Hull, particularly the Chinese community
  • Mohammed Zahur JP, receives a MBE for services to the Pakistani community in Sheffield
  • Keith Hoskins, Hitchin Town Centre Manager receives a MBE for services to the community in Hitchin
  • Harry Audley, Chair, White City Residents’ Association receives a BEM for services to the community in London
  • Graham Spencer, Neighbourhood Champion, Tattenhall receives a BEM for services to the community in Tattenhall
  • Councillor Josephine Mary Graves, Chipping Norton Town Council receives a BEM for services to the community
  • Parish Councillor Michael David Booth, Sutton Bridge Parish Council receives a BEM for services to the community
  • Mrs Jane Campbell, receives a BEM for services to the community of Cullompton, particularly the Walronds Trust

Local government

  • Councillor Eion Watts, Bolsover District Council receives an OBE for services to local government
  • Ms Jean Palmer, Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Residents Services, Hillingdon Council receives an OBE for services to local government
  • John Stuart Rhodes receives an OBE for services to local government and to the community and to planning
  • Councillor Janet Burgess, London Borough of Islington receives a MBE for services to local government and to the community in Islington
  • Councillor Ronald Edward Ley, Ilfracombe Town Council receives a MBE for services to the community in Ilfracombe
  • Councillor Andrew De Freitas receives a MBE for services to local government and the community in north east Lincolnshire.
  • Councillor Francis Prendergast, Lord Mayor and Councillor, Liverpool City Council receives a MBE for services to local government and to the community in Liverpool
  • Mrs Nicola Mark, Head of Pensions, Norfolk County Council receives a MBE for services to local government
  • Councillor Carole Ellis, Bedford Borough Council receives a posthumous MBE for services to local government and charity
  • Councillor James Andrews, Deputy Leader, Barnsley Metropolitan Council and Chairman, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority receives a BEM for services to local government

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Updates to this page

Published 30 December 2014