West Midlands business people recognised in New Year’s Honours
ONE of Birmingham’s most respected business figures has been recognised in the New Year’s Honours List.
David Waller, chairman of the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, has been awarded the MBE for services to business and to the community in the West Midlands.
Mr Waller is also non-executive director of several privately-owned businesses that are primarily focused on generating significant increases in value for their owners and investors.
He developed his expertise and experience as a partner at accountancy firm PwC, where his career spanned more than 20 years. In addition to his active corporate roles he is also an adviser to a number of private equity and professional services firms.
He is chairman of Pertemps Network Group, and is a director of The NEC Group, MIRA and University Hospitals Birmingham. He is also an advisory partner with Nexus and JWZ.
He joined PwC in 1985 and led the regional consulting practice until 2001 when he was appointed senior partner of PwC Birmingham and regional chairman.
In 2007 he was awarded the title of West Midlands Ambassador of the Year for Business in the Community from Prince Charles.
Before joining PwC, Waller held a number of senior managerial positions with Distillers, Kerrygold, and a global supermarket retailer. He worked abroad for several years in the Far East, Middle East and USA before returning to the UK.
Meanwhile, Dr George Gillespie, CEO at Midlands-based advanced vehicle engineering, research and product testing operation MIRA, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.
Dr Gillespie has been awarded the honour for his services to international trade, following his continued commitment to building business overseas.
Having accompanied Prime Minister David Cameron, on a trade visit to China in December 2013, Dr Gillespie has visited Japan, India and China – amongst other countries – during 2014 in a bid to build long-term business relationships between international markets and the UK.
Since joining MIRA as CEO in 2009, Dr Gillespie has led the turnaround in its fortunes, with 45% growth in the business in the last two years alone.
Joining him in the honours list is Professor Nigel Thrift, vice-chancellor of the University of Warwick, who is knighted for his services to higher education.
He said: “This honour is a wonderful way of helping to mark the very first day of the University of Warwick’s 50th anniversary year. To me the award recognises the numerous successes that we have all achieved together over the last ten years.”
Jaguar test driver Norman Dewis, who helped the development of many famous sports cars such as the legendary E-Type, has been awarded an OBE.
In a career spanning 33 years, the 94-year-old developed no less than 25 significant Jaguar cars and is widely regarded as Britain’s greatest test driver.
His automotive CV is remarkable. He developed the multiple Le Mans-winning C-type and D-type racing cars, the pioneering XK 140 and 150 sports cars, the classic 2.4/3.4 and Mk II saloons, plus the Mk VII and Mk VIIM models, the E-type (including the Lightweight E-type), the XJ13 mid-engined prototype, the world-class XJ saloons, the XJ-S and the ‘XJ40’ models.
Walsall College principal and chief executive Jatinder Sharma has been awarded an OBE for his services to further education.
He said: “I am truly delighted and honoured to receive this recognition for my contribution to further education. I am also very humbled by this achievement which would not have been possible without the fantastic support of the governors, staff and students who make Walsall College outstanding, and my family.”
Awarded the Order of the Bath is Nicholas Shanahan, from Sutton Coldfield, who as director general operations, Department for Work and Pensions has been recognised for services to Welfare Reform.
Sir Adrian Cadbury has also been recognised, receiving the Royal Victorian Medal for services to business and the community in the UK, particularly Birmingham.
Tony Banks, former chairman of Birmingham-based automotive supplier and injection moulding firm Cameron Price, has been awarded the MBE for services to engineering in the West Midlands.
Also awarded an MBE is Heather Shepherd of Shrewsbury, who as head of Community and Flood Recovery Support, National Flood Forum, is recognised for services to the community, particularly those at risk of flooding.
Christopher Westwood, head of the Stourbridge-based Chris Westwood Charity for Children with Physical Disabilites in the West Midlands, receives an MBE in recognition for services to charity.
Another MBE recipient is Michael Whatton of Nuneaton. He is Afghan Multi Activity Contract manager at engineering consultancy KBR UK. He is recognised for services to the Armed Forces.
John Woolf, music director and lately head of music for The Royal Shakespeare Company is awarded an MBE for services to music in the theatre.
Another to receive the MBE is Waqar Afzal Ahmed, prevent manager at Birmingham City Council, for services to challenging extremism and empowering communities.
