West Midlands leaders revealed in New Year Honours List

Prominent leaders from across the West Midlands have been named in the New Year Honours List 2022, which pays tribute to those who have made outstanding contributions across all areas of society.

Among them is Laura Shoaf, the chief executive of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), who receives a CBE for services to regeneration in the region.

Prior to taking on the role of interim chief executive, Shoaf was managing director of Transport for the West Midlands (TfWM). She has more than 20 years’ experience of working in regeneration across the West Midlands.

She joined the authority when it was formed in 2016, having previously worked at the West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority and as director of transport for the Association of Black Country Authorities. She continues to chair the Urban Transport Group, which comprises transport leaders from the Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, London, South Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear, West Midlands and West Yorkshire regions.

She told TheBusinessDesk.com: “I’m hugely honoured and great surprised. As much as this is an individual recognitions, I really do believe it’s a reflection on all the fantastic people and teams I’ve worked with over the years.

“Our plans at the WMCA next year are to strive to bring the regional economy back to pre-pandemic levels with a particular focus on transport, housing and working towards our net zero ambitions.”

Anthea McIntyre, the former Conserative Member of the European Parliament for the West Midlands, receives a CBE. McIntyre is a director of MCP Systems Consultants, which specialises in business intelligence systems and Myers Road Safety, a small manufacturing company, with her husband Frank Myers MBE.

Mark Radford, the West Midlands-based chief nurse at Health Education England and deputy chief nursing officer at NHS England and NHS Improvement, receives a CBE for services to nursing.

Pauline Black, the singer with evergreen Coventry ska band The Selecter and latterly author and actress receives an OBE for services to entertainment, as does Catherine McClay, the former head of futures at National Grid for services to the energy sector and the promotion of decarbonisation and Dr Clive Hickman, the chief executive of the Manufacturing Technology Centre.

Thomas Dunn, the founder and chairman of Coventry-based Aeros Holdings the modular flight training academy, receives an MBE, as does Susan Manns, the director of Shropshire-based Sue Manns Associates, for services to planning. Meanwhile, Richard Port, a solicitor at George Green and Company of Cradley Heath is honoured with an MBE for services to victims of domestic abuse.

In the arts, Jacqueline O’Hanlon, director of learning at the Royal Shakespeare Company also receives an MBE.

On a national level, the New Year Honours List 2022 pays tribute to a huge number of people involved in all aspects of sport.

Married Olympians Laura and Jason Kenny receive a damehood and knighthood in the same honours list, for services to cycling.

Across the List, 78 Olympians and Paralympians have been honoured for their services to sport. Adam Peaty and Tom Daley receive OBEs for raising awareness of mental health and LGBT issues respectively as well as their gold medal winning achievements at Tokyo 2020. There is also an OBE for Hannah Mills for sailing and her continued campaigning on marine pollution and athlete Hannah Cockroft. Other Olympians and Paralympians being honoured include a CBE for cyclist Jody Cundy, OBE for sprinter and cyclist Kadeena Cox, and MBEs for boxer Lauren Price, diver Matty Lee and BMX racer Bethany Shriever.

Outside of accolades for Tokyo 2020, Emma Radacanu receives an MBE following her incredible US Open win and Chelsea Women’s manager Emma Hayes receives an OBE for her work promoting women’s football. Sheila Parker, the first captain of the England Women Football Team, is given an MBE for services to football and charity. There is also an OBE for six time World Championship winning superbike racer Jonathan Rea.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “These recipients have inspired and entertained us and given so much to their communities in the UK or in many cases around the world.

“The honours are an opportunity for us to thank them, as a country, for their dedication and outstanding contribution.”