Queen’s Honours recognise heroes from across the North West

Business, professional, celebrity and sporting figures from around the North West have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

The list, which was due to be published in June, was postponed to consider nominations for people playing crucial roles during the first months of the COVID-19 effort.

Many recipients have been rewarded with honours for their contributions to helping business and society function during the pandemic lockdowns.

Among those featured this weekend are Liverpool TV guru Prof Phil Redmond who has been knighted for his services to broadcasting and arts in the regions.

The son of a cleaner and a bus driver achieved fame by creating TV soaps Grange Hill, Brookside and Hollyoaks.

Blackburn brothers Zuber and Mohsin Issa have been made CBEs for their services to business and charity.

The founders of the Euro Garages business empire were in the news recently as part of a consortium that sealed a £6.8bn deal to take over supermarket chain Asda.

Their EG group is now an international retail concern with more than 30,000 employees.

Among recipients of the OBE are Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce chief executive, Clive Memmott, who has been awarded the honour for services to the business community.

Clive Memmott

He has been the chamber’s CEO since Autumn 2010 and has guided the chamber, the UK’s largest, through a period of growth to firmly establish it as a leading business organisation representing its members, delivering more services across the wider Greater Manchester business community and playing an increasing role in local decision making.

Clive said: “I am, of course, delighted at this award and the recognition, but it is also a reflection on the team at the chamber, our fantastic members, partners, patrons and all the other organisations that work with us that make up the GM business community.”

Another OBE recipient is Manchester councillor Luthfur Rahman, who was hospitalised with coronavirus during the pandemic. He has been recognised for his services to local government.

He dedicated his award to his mother, who he lost earlier this year, and father, tweeting that he was “deeply humbled and honoured”.

He added: “This award actually belongs to my late mother who’s (sic) love and sacrifices are the reason for any success or achievement in my life and my father who continues to be my role model and inspiration.”

Another council official to receive an OBE, for her work supporting the development of services for children and young people across Greater Manchester, is Charlotte Ramsden, strategic director of people at Salford Council.

She said she was “deeply honoured” to have been recognised, saying: “This award recognises a true team effort by professionals, politicians, children and young people across Greater Manchester to ensure children and young people live their best lives.

“We are achieving things by working together that we could never achieve as individual authorities.”

Merseyside chief fire officer Phil Garrigan has also been awarded an OBE, for services to the Fire and Rescue Service during COVID-19.

He was the National Fire Gold Lead during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading the UK fire services’ response. He has been a firefighter for 30 years.

His work during the pandemic led to unprecedented national agreements, which saw firefighters undertake activities such as emergency ambulance driving, movement of the deceased and deliveries of prescriptions and PPE (personal protective equipment) to vulnerable people.

Meanwhile, two senior delivery managers at Salford-based communications group TalkTalk have received MBE’s for their outstanding services to the industry.

The honours reflect their extraordinary service and commitment which saw key infrastructure connected, despite unprecedented logistical challenges, including implementing or upgrading connectivity at 15 NHS sites, 12 food distribution centres, five schools and three care homes in the region.

They also led the delivery of critical infrastructure at medical sites across the UK, including at the Nightingale Hospitals in Excel London, Harrogate and Exeter and 80 GP surgeries nationwide.

Peter Harding and Andrew Miller personally stepped up to the challenge of managing and delivering network connections, often over the course of days, rather than weeks.

Peter Harding said: “It’s very surreal to be receiving this award but it obviously makes you extremely happy and proud. None of what we achieved would have been possible without the hard work and dedication of numerous others who supported us to complete jobs, which would normally take four to six weeks, within 48 hours.”

Andrew Miller said: “It feels very weird but amazing at the same time when it’s really just for doing your job well. The works we undertook during lockdown were not the kind you can do if you’re sat on your own. Pete and I may be the ones to receive the MBEs, but there are about 12 different whole teams of people that our work wouldn’t have been achievable without and we will continue to make sure they know who they are.”

Zeb Farooq, who works for global technology-forward solutions company Jacobs, which has operations in Cheshire and Manchester, has also received an MBE.

He was recognised for services to young people.

Zeb Farooq

His parents emigrated from Pakistan in the 1960s and he grew up in the Longsight area of inner-city Manchester. Holding two master’s degrees in mathematics from the University of Manchester, and having spent six years as a thermal hydraulics engineer and project manager, he is now a bid manager based at Birchwood Park in Warrington.

In a voluntary capacity for the past 15 years Zeb has played a prominent role in his community. Most recently, he has served as a member of the Prince’s Trust North West Regional Leadership Group organising their Mosaic Mentoring Programme, which inspires young people from deprived communities to realise their talents and potential.

He said: “There is a lack of accessible role models for children in areas of high deprivation, so mentoring is vital in raising their aspirations.”

He added: “It was my background and my Islamic faith which made me want to help other young people who face the challenges that I faced when growing up. I hope this honour will encourage others to join in the work of the Prince’s Trust.”

Manchester barrister Sally Penni has also been awarded an MBE for services to diversity in the workplace, social mobility and law.

Sally Penni

Ms Penni founded Women in the Law UK, which is focused on supporting the next generation of leaders in law and encouraging career progression through personal development.

She was recognised as ‘Diversity and Inclusion Leader’ at the inaugural TheBusinessDesk.com Northern Leadership Awards held last November.

Sally also sits as non-executive director on a variety of boards, bringing her experience and expertise in a variety of areas including governance, employment law and cybersecurity.

The founder of Bridge Community Farms has also been made an MBE. Francis Ball has been recognised for his services to the community in Ellesmere Port during COVID-19.

Francis established Bridge Community Farms CIC in Ellesmere Port in 2014. The 10-acre farm grows vegetables, salad and fruit using organic methods and sells organically-grown delivered vegetable boxes throughout the Wirral and West Cheshire.

The charity launched a dedicated service to help vulnerable and elderly people during the pandemic so they could continue to receive vital provisions.

Francis said: “I am greatly humbled to receive this honour, knowing how many ‘Bridge Community Farms’ and ‘Bridge Community Wellness Gardens’ colleagues, both volunteers and paid staff, have worked so hard through the pandemic to bring fresh food and some comfort and support to so many people across The Wirral, Chester and West Cheshire.

“We love what we do and we love the responses from our thousands of Veg Box customers, Wellness clients, volunteers and supporters.

“And we are deeply grateful to our major funders, The Steve Morgan Foundation, Cheshire Community Foundation, Stanlaw Abbey Development Trust, Cheshire Freemasons, The Earl of Chester Fund, The Ursula Keyes Trust and many others for making our work possible.”

Former Liverpool Echo editor, Alastair Machray, has been awarded an MBE for services to journalism.

He said he was “touched and delighted” by the recognition.

Among sporting recipients of honours is Manchester United and England footballer, Marcus Rashford.

Marcus Rashford (courtesy Manchester United)

He has been awarded an MBE for services to vulnerable children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the pandemic the 22-year-old distinguished himself as a leader in the role of fighting to end child food poverty, forcing Prime Minister Boris Johnson to perform a massive U-turn to extend free school meals into the Summer holidays.

He said: “I’m incredibly honoured and humbled. As a young black man from Wythenshawe, never did I think I would be accepting an MBE, never mind an MBE at the age of 22. This is a very special moment for myself and my family, but particularly my mum who is the real deserving recipient of the honour.

“The fight to protect our most vulnerable children is far from over. I would be doing my community, and the families I have met and spoken with, an injustice if I didn’t use this opportunity to respectfully urge the Prime Minister, who recommended me for this honour, to support our children during the October half-term with an extension of the voucher scheme, as the furlough scheme comes to an end and we face increased unemployment.

“Another sticking plaster, but one that will give the parents of millions of children in the UK just one less thing to worry about,” he added.

“Let’s stand together in saying that no children in the UK should be going to bed hungry. As I have said many times before, no matter your feeling or opinion, not having access to food is NEVER the child’s fault.”

A spokesman for Manchester United said: “Everyone at Manchester United is hugely proud of Marcus for the work he has been doing to tackle food poverty among vulnerable children.

“His campaigning has raised awareness of a crucial issue and made a positive difference, and we are delighted to see his efforts being recognised with this honour.”

Prof Steve Broomhead, chief executive of Warrington Borough Council and vice chairman of RL side Warrington Wolves, has been awarded an MBE for his contribution to society.

He says he is proud to have been awarded the honour.