Queen’s birthday honours for leading business lights

A NUMBER of key North West business people have been recognised for outstanding controbution to business and charity in the The Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

OBEs went to entrepreneur and engineer Michael Oliver, founder of Knutsford-based engineering company Oliver Valves, Carole Nash – the retired businesswoman who supports numerous good causes – and
Liverpool Council leader and first ever mayor Cllr Joe Anderson.

Alison Perry, the Liverpool-based chairman of the National Federation of Builders will also receive an OBE for services to the construction industry.

The out-going chief executive of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, Jack Stopforth was awarded an MBE for services to regeneration.

Other MBE recipients are: Patricia Foreman, chief executive of Food North West for services to the food and drink industry; Robert Johnston, chief executive of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, for service to business in Cumbria and Neil Smith, managing director of Manchester recruitment company Kinetic for service to business in Greater Manchester.

Commenting on his honour, Mr Oliver -who launched his business in 1979 said: “I am deeply honored to be recognised in this way by the Queen and I would like to thank all of the hard-working employees at Oliver Valves as well as my family, without whose dedication and support this success would not have been possible.”

As well as Oliver Valves – which this year won a Queen’s Award for Enterpris- Mr Oliver supports a wide range of charities locally, nationally and internationally including the Armed Forces Benevolent Fund, NSPCC, Manchester’s Wood Street Mission and Variety Club, amongst others.
He has also recently established the Michael Oliver Foundation, which supports carers living in the Cheshire area.