Local business figures rewarded in Queen’s Birthday Honours
WEST Midlands business figures are amongst those to be recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Three local business leaders have been awarded CBEs for their work. Worcester Warriors backer Cecil Duckworth – already an OBE – has been given a CBE for services to charity and the community in Worcestershire, while Cleone Foods founder and managing director Wade Lyn and Emma Rice, founder of the North Staffordshire-based Emma Bridgewater ceramics firm, receive CBEs for services to the business community.
Philanthropist Duckworth made his name in the energy industry. His company Worcester Group was taken over by Bosch to create Worcester Bosch. He has ploughed millions into Worcester Warriors rugby club.
Birmingham-based Lyn’s firm is best known for making the Island Delight range of Caribbean snacks including Jamaican patties which are now sold in supermarkets across the nation. He is also a board member of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP.
Also in the honours list, OBEs were awarded to Michael Kent, CEO of Wolverhampton-based Bromford Housing Group, for services to social housing, to Michael Levermore, founder and CEO of Birmingham-based Medical Devices Technology International, for services to business in the region and to David Seddon, principal of Worcestershire’s Baxter Business and Enterprise College, for services to education.
Local TV news presenter Kay Alexander was awarded an MBE for services to broadcasting and charity in the region.
