Outstanding West Midlands leaders recognised in King’s Birthday Honours
Extraordinary West Midlands residents have been named in King Charles III’s first Birthday Honours List today.
Thanks to their outstanding public service, 58 people in the region have been awarded honours with a special mention to sport in the community, following last summer’s Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Anne Shaw, executive director of Transport for West Midlands has been awarded an OBE for her services during the Games, with Pauline Jones from the Department for Work and Pensions receiving an MBE for her services to the community in Birmingham, particularly during the Games.
Shaw said: “It’s a great honour to be recognised for our contribution to the success of Birmingham 2022.
“It is not just for me but also the fantastic team of talented people here are TfWM, as well as the wider transport community, who made sure that we were able to get a million plus spectators, athletes and officials to and from their events – while the rest of the region went about their daily journeys.
“It was a hugely rewarding experience and something I am immensely proud of – this honour is the icing on the cake.”
Suzanne Richards from Wednesbury, has received an MBE after setting up a charity for the families who have lost loved ones in traumatic circumstances such as murder and terrorism. She set up Smile for Joel up after losing three family members in the 2015 Tunisia terror attacks.
For services to the Windrush Generation, Dr Desmond Jaddoo, from The Village Fellowship Church and Chairman of Windrush National Organisation has been awarded an MBE.
Clifford Robson, group managing director at BAE Systems has been awarded a CBE for his services to the defence industry.
An OBE has been received by member and deputy leader of Stoke-on-Trent city councillor Mohammad Wazir, for his political service to the community.
Zoe Bennett, motivational speaker and founder of the MBCC Awards has been granted a BEM for her charity work and helping ti inspire disadvantaged people.
CBE’s were also awarded to Michael Cherry, lately chair of the Federation of Small Businesses for his commitment to business and international trade and Clinton Farquharson, for services to disability personalisation and health policy.
Dr Susan Ibbotson, lately regional director of Public
Health, Midlands and regional director for the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Department of Health and Social Care also picked up a CBE, as well as Michael King, for his services to local government in his role as a local government and social care ombudsman.
David Ring the independent chair of National Shipbuilding Projects was awarded a CBE for his services to shipbuilding, alongside Professor Caroline Series, from the University of Warwick for services to Mathematics.
