Region’s business leaders named in New Year Honours List

Leading business figures across the East Midlands are celebrating after being named in the 2021 Queen’s New Year Honours List.

This year’s awards go to those who have excelled in their field and are widely thought of as a recognition from their peers.

Among those named are Glynis Wright, who recently sold her family law firm to Nelsons and is a past winner of a TheBusinessDesk.com’s Business Masters Award receives an MBE for services to female entrpreneurship.

Wright decided to retrain as a lawyer when she was 40, graduating with multiple distinctions and even winning the Student of the Year Award for having achieved the highest marks for her academic year.

In 2011 she set up her own law firm, recognising the need for an ethical approach to working with families in divorce.

Since then, she has grown her firm exponentially to an annual turnover in excess of £1m, with 19 members of staff.

Wright said: “Receiving the totally unexpected news that I had been awarded an MBE was one of the proudest moments of my life, and nothing can quite prepare you for it. It was so unexpected I thought the email was a spoof and had to phone the Cabinet Office to find out it was in fact real. I feel huge gratitude for whomever thought that I deserved this award enough to nominate me. That is as moving as receiving the award itself.

“When I read that I had received the MBE for advancing the cause of female entrepreneurship I felt even more proud. Those who are close to me know that I fervently believe that more women should consider running their own businesses. Too many women are afraid to take that step compared to their male counterparts. It is singularly the most empowering thing I have ever done in my life and I discovered skills and abilities that had been hidden to me until I took that step. I intend to use the MBE award to amplify that message and to encourage more women down the path of self-determination.”

Elsewhere, Anjuu Trevedi, the head of regional businesses engagement at the University of Leicester receives an MBE for services to business innovation and the economy in Leicestershire.

She spearheaded – and continues to be actively involved in – the work of the Leicester Innovation Hub, the University’s front door to the innovation support, expertise and facilities it has to offer ensuring it is seen as an essential part of the local innovation ecosystem.

She secured grant funding to deliver three distinct innovation projects, which now have their own teams of around 20 people working on the frontline to deliver innovation support in Leicester.

Other notable East Midlands figures receiving honours this year include:

Paul Venners, the managing director of LEEC in Nottingham, who receives an CBE for services to hospital mortuaries and post-mortem facilities, particularly during the Covid-19 response.

Professor Edward Peck, the vice-chancellor of Nottingham Trent University, who receives an CBE for services to higher education.

Professor Shearer West, the vice chancellor of the University of Nottingham, who receives an CBE for services to higher education.

Matt Hampson, the founder of the Matt Hampson Foundation, who receives an OBE for voluntary and charitable services

David Pearson, the former director of adult social care at Nottinghamshire County Council, receives a Knighthood for services to health and social care ingtegration.

Fayyaz Afzal, a circuit judge from Leicester, receives an CBE for services to the judiciary and to diversity and inclusion.

Gemma Normensall, facilities manager at Marks & Spencer’s Castle Donington distribution facility,  who receives an MBE for services to members of staff during the Covid-19 pandemic.