Business leaders celebrate Queen’s Birthday honours

BUSNESS leaders and academics are celebrating their inclusion in the Queen’s 90th Birthday honours list.

There was an OBE for the 52-year-old chief executive of Rochdale-based Precision Technologies Group for his services to the UK economy, international trade and inward investment.

There was an MBE for Steve Johnson, the former chief executive of Electricity North West, for services to energy networks.

He was the CEO of the region’s power network for eight years before leaving two weeks ago.

Johnson joins Infracapital, the infrastructure investment arm of M&G Investments, in July.

For the last three years, he chaired a project for the Smart Grid Forum, looking at the needs of energy networks of the future.

This Ofgem and Department for Energy and Climate Change joint-initiative examines the significant challenges and opportunities posed by GB’s move to a low-carbon economy, particularly for electricity network operators.

Meanwhile, the University of Manchester is hailing a double success, as the efforts of two of its leading lights have been recognised.

Professor Danielle George and Marcia Ody have both received MBEs to acknowledge their significant contributions to their respective fields.



George, who is professor of radio frequency engineering and vice dean of teaching & learning at the University, received her honour in recognition of her contribution to engineering through public engagement.



In 2014 she became only the sixth woman to present a Royal Institution Christmas Lecture, and she also recently presented a talk at Manchester’s TEDx conference.

Her latest project is a crowd-sourced environmentally-friendly robot orchestra made up of old instruments and recycled materials, which will give its full debut performance in Manchester this July during the Euroscience Open Forum – Europe’s largest science conference.



”I’m both delighted and honoured to be awarded an MBE on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List,” she said.

“Any time would be special to receive this, but it feels even more amazing as it is the Queen’s 90th year and as Manchester is currently the European City of Science. This is a fabulous personal accolade, and I thank the University of Manchester for supporting my pursuits, and the Royal Institution of Great Britain for giving me an amazing opportunity as a Christmas Lecturer.”



Ody, the University’s teaching and learning manager, received her honour in recognition of her services to higher education.

She is the driving force behind the internationally acclaimed Peer Assisted Study Session (PASS) programme, which uses the experiences of higher year students to support the learning of their lower year peers, and led the establishment of the PASS National Centre at the University.



Ody has been highly influential in developing the student voice agenda at the University and beyond.

She said: “When I first opened the letter, I thought it was a very clever prank and it still feels surreal – an incredible surprise and a significant honour.

“I am truly humbled, and am very keen to know who nominated me so that I can say a personal, massive thank you!

“I am incredibly lucky to work with amazingly awesome students, graduates and staff in order to help students to reach their full potential.”



Phil Jones, managing director of Brother UK, has also been awarded an MBE in recognition of his services to business.



Jones, who has been at the Manchester-headquartered information, communication and technology company for over 20 years, is one of the most prominent business leaders in the region.



He said: “To be recognised by Her Majesty the Queen is wonderful. I’m passionate about business as a force for good in people’s lives and in our local communities.

“This is why I spend time sharing any knowledge gained and encouraging other entrepreneurs and businesspeople. Helping other businesses helps Brother UK too.

We work hard to ensure that we take on the very best practice that we learn from others.”



Having joined Brother UK as a fax salesman in 1994, Jones has held a series of roles at the firm, including UK sales and marketing director.

He was made deputy managing director in 2012 and managing director a year later.



Under his leadership Brother UK, based in Tameside, Greater Manchester, has been recognised as one of the leading employers in the country.



The £100m-turnover business was named by The Sunday Times as one of the 100 Best Places to Work in 2014 and earlier this year became only the second company in the UK to achieve Investors in People Platinum status.



Jones is president of Forever Manchester, the charity which funds and supports community projects across Greater Manchester.

He is also a member of the Manchester Growth Company’s strategic advisory board, a fellow of the Institute of Directors and a Companion of the Chartered Management Institute.



He added: “It has been a fascinating journey at Brother UK and I never imagined I would one day lead the company back in 1994 when I joined. 

“Its credit to the business that it continues to bring people through the ranks and I’m very grateful to them – as well as all of my colleagues – for their continued support.”