Deloitte partner, festival chief and cash machine pioneer amongst North West’s New Year honours

Jo Ahmed, Deloitte

Deloitte’s practice senior partner in the Manchester office Jo Ahmed was a stand out recipient of an MBE in the King’s New Years Honours list, for services to business and trade.

Since taking over this year she has overseen the opening of the new Manchester 100 Embankment office, and served as deputy Chair of the Manchester India Partnership and Honorary Consul of Japan in Manchester.

She recently travelled to Japan alongside Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as part of a delegation to strengthen regional ties and set out opportunities for future global collaboration in areas such as decarbonisation as well as enhanced academic collaborations between Greater Manchester and Japanese universities.

She said: “I am fortunate enough to work with fantastic teams inside and outside Deloitte with whom we have been able to achieve great things in progressing Greater Manchester’s international strategy, most recently with Japan. I am truly honoured to receive this award and look forward to continuing our international work in the years ahead.”

Also due to receive an OBE is Lancashire entrepreneur Christine Cort, the former managing director of the Manchester International Festival.

Christine Cort – pic credit Nadia Balfe

Blackburn-based Cort has most recently re-opened Chews Yard, a lively addition to Preston’s changing leisure offer.

One of the founding directors of the highly successful Manchester International Festival, and the former marketing director of publisher Time Out, she has also opened a new pop-up venue in Blackburn, Escapades.

Other business people named in a list which heavily featured underrepresented communities and a wide variety of types of work are rewarded, to celebrate their contribution to public life.

Mark Mills

OBE’s were also announced for Fylde coast entrepreneur Mark Mills, for services to business and philanthropy. Mills recently published “Making Your Mark” which tells the “fascinating and entertaining” story of his career in business, from selling broken biscuits at the age of 8, through his early years selling everything from payphones to post boxes, to his outstanding success creating Cardpoint, the cash machine business he founded at the age of 29 which at its peak was valued at £170 million. 

He told TheBusinessDesk.com: “I am humbled, honoured and flattered (and surprised in equal measure) to be nominated and whilst it is often said, in my case, my honour is dedicated to entrepreneurs, business owners and employers who try to make a difference every day by serving customers, employing people and contributing on so many levels to society.

“I intend to make use of the recognition this honour affords me to help more businesses and business owners to succeed, contribute more to society, generate more employment and income for the economy as well as do more for the less fortunate members of our society.

“I would also like to thank my whole family and specifically my wife, Angela, who has stood by me throughout my career and who has always been my biggest supporter”

Also awarded are Tarsem Dhaliwal, the chief executive officer of Iceland Foods for services to the Welsh Economy, Retail and Charity.

He had rejoined Iceland in 2005, following the takeover and break-up of the Big Food Group, as Finance Director and a leading member of the management shareholding team.

Christopher Katkowski KC from Manchester-based Kings Chambers has been made a CBE for his services to Planning.

Chris, universally known in the Planning world as ‘Kit Kat’, is consistently recognised as one of the foremost leaders in planning work in the country.

He has appeared at hundreds of planning inquiries and court cases over the last 40 years. Career highlights include The Shard and most recently Places for Everyone, the joint development plan for nine Greater Manchester authorities, and the Holocaust Memorial Bill in its select committee stages in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

Chris says: “I am, literally, honoured to have been made a CBE and would like to say to all the wonderful people who I have worked with over these many years who have helped me to reach this stage of my career that everything you have done is hugely appreciated by me. ”Commander Kit Kat” who would have thought?!”

Professor Andrew Levers, Executive Director and Founder, Institute of Digital Engineering and Autonomous Systems, University of Liverpool will also receive an OBE for services to Industry and to the Economy.

There were also CBE’s for Dr Fazal Dad, Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Blackburn College, Lancashire. For services to Further Education.

Co-owner of Barrow Football Club, Paul Hornby, also the founder of the Hornby Foundation for services to Philanthropy and to the communities of Barrow, Furness and the surrounding area.

More than 1,200 recipients receive honours this year across all sectors, with particular commendation to role models in sport, healthcare, academia and voluntary service.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Each and every day, ordinary people go out and do extraordinary things for their communities.

“They represent the very best of the UK and that core value of service which I put at the centre of everything this government does.

“The New Year Honours List celebrates more of these unsung heroes, and I thank them for their incredible contribution.”

Among those being honoured is former England manager Sir Gareth Southgate, who receives a Knighthood for services to Association Football. Beyond the pitch, Southgate has been actively involved in charitable work including supporting the Prince’s Trust, a youth charity that helps young people get into education, training, and employment.

There’s an OBE for broadcaster and former TV producer Eamonn O’Neal DL for services to Charitable Causes and in recognition of his service as DL for the Greater Manchester.

Former Labour MP for Blackburn Catherine Hollern is to get an OBE for Parliamentary, Political and Public Service.

Former Granada TV executive Steve Morrison, more recently the chief executive and chair of All3Media is to get an OBE for services to the Media and Creative Industries

Blackburn based Purnima Murthy Tanuku Chief Executive, National Day Nurseries Association will get an OBE for services to Early Years Education.

From the world of sport, notable regional honours went to Lytham resident David Moyes, Alan Hansen for services to football and to Broadcasting.

On top of her haul of Olympic gold medals and the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award, Keely Hodgkinson has been awarded an MBE for services to Athletics as was her Team GB colleague Katarina Johnson-Thompson.

The speaker at the 2024 Business of the Year Awards, Gregg Stevenson, the gold medal winning paralympian rower from Colne, was awarded an OBE for services to Rowing. He has recently been appointed Trustee of Armed Forces charity, Walking With The Wounded. He served as a Royal Engineer Commando before receiving a medical discharge due to a traumatic injury in 2009 where he lost both legs below the knee. Following rehabilitation, Gregg regained his fitness and embarked on a career in sports peaking at the 2024 Paris Paralympics where he won gold.

Kevin Camplin

BAE Systems Air employee Kevin Camplin has been awarded an MBE for services to Mountain Rescue in Lancashire.

Kevin joined BAE Systems in 2002 after leaving the armed forces. He started his career at the company in the engineering department of Tornado development. That same year, Kevin took on another very different challenge; becoming a Mountain Rescue volunteer.

“I’m an outdoor person whether it’s walking, scrambling or mountain biking, so that naturally led me to Mountain Rescue. Helping other people is the exciting stuff. It always feels great to be able to rescue someone who really needs us.”

A Logistics Team Leader in Samlesbury, he has also held a team leader title with the Mountain Rescue service and is now the Mid Pennines Search and Rescue Operations Lead.

Kevin says his employers are very supportive of his volunteering efforts. He uses the company’s special leave policy to attend callouts.

Other notable OBEs

Manchester-based Dr Tobias Simpson, Director, Wiener Holocaust Library. For services to Holocaust Memorial

Margo Cornish, wife of former Airport boss Charlie Cornish, for services to Cancer Charities.

Michael Crowther, Chief Executive, Empowerment. For services to the community in Blackpool.

Shaun Gash, Ambassador, Hollister Inc Ltd. For services to Charity and to Disabled People.

Susan Jee, Non Executive Director, Nuclear Restoration Services. For services to the Nuclear Industry (Newton-le-Willows).

Melanie Lewis, Chief Executive, Shakespeare North Playhouse. For services to Theatre (Liverpool, Merseyside).

Philip Rose, Founder and lately Senior Partner, SciTech, North West England. For services to Children’s Science Education (Altrincham, Greater Manchester).

Joan Todd, Team Manager, Afghan Resettlement and Ukraine Response Team, Manchester City Council. For services to Refugee Resettlement (Hyde, Greater Manchester).

Jane Wilson, Head, Strategy and People Engagement for Enterprise Security and Risk Management, Department for Work and Pensions. For Public Service (Crewe, Cheshire).

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