Yorkshire’s leaders recognised in New Year Honours

Roger Burnley

Yorkshire’s leading position in business, public service and sport has been recognised in the 2022 Queen’s New Year Honours List.

Over 70 people from the region were recognised this year honours which have been awarded to 122 extraordinary people for their services to the United Kingdom and its Overseas Territories in the fields of business, charity, culture, development, education, foreign policy, health, security and sport.

Leading the line up were two knighthoods for political and public service, with the current MP for Scarborough and Whitby, Robert Goodwill and the former Leeds MP, John Battle receiving the honour.

Peter Murray

Peter Murray, founding and executive director of Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP), was also awarded a knighthood – in recognition of his services to the arts.

He has led the organisation for over four decades, starting with £1,000 and no employees, and now employing over 200 people, generating about £11.5m for the regional economy.

Murray said:
“It is a great honour for me and YSP. I think the award acknowledges the importance of the organisation to the wider pubic and the contribution it continues to make to arts and culture, and the economy.”

David Kerfoot

Four leading figures from the region have been recognised with CBEs, after stepping down from their respective positions in the last 12 months, with former chair of the York and North Yorkshire LEP, David Kerfoot who stepped down from the role in March having held it for two years and served on the board since its inception in 2010, and former Asda boss, Roger Burnley who left the business in August following its £6.8bn acquisition by the Issa brothers, both receiving the honour.

Also receiving a CBE is Andrew Marr DL, chairman of Andrew Marr International for services to the UK fishing industry and West Yorkshire Lord-Lieutenant Ed Anderson.

Other key business figures recognised this year include the co-founder and CEO of WANdisco, David Richards, who has been recognised alongside his wife, Jane, for their leading work within the IT sector but also his support for young people through the The David and Jane Richards Family Foundation with an MBE. However aside from his charitable work, Richards has also this year launched EyUp a new venture which aims to create software developers, generate jobs and invest in start-ups across the North of England, and before Christmas was also named as the chair of a new commission focused on accelerating the adoption of digital technologies including robotics, 3D printing and augmented reality within UK industry.

In the field of sport, Yorkshire’s Paralympic heroes, Kadeena Cox and Hannah Cockcroft receive OBEs for services to athletics and cycling and athletics respectively. While former rugby league player and current Leeds Rhino coach, Jamie Jones-Buchanon is awarded an OBE for services to the sport and the community in Leeds. While triathletes Jonathan Brownlee, Georgia Taylor-Brown and Jessica Leadmonth, wheelchair rugby plater Jamie Stead and cyclist Thomas Pidcock have all been awarded MBEs.

Syima Aslam

Other key figures from the region to be awarded honours include Melanie Oldham, chief executive of Bob’s Business, Deborah Harrison, joint managing director of Sheffield-based Pricecheck Toiletries, and the current Deputy West Yorkshire Mayor Alison Lowe who was previously CEO of Touchstone, who all receive OBEs. While Syima Aslam, founder, CEO and artistic director of the Bradford Literature Festival and her co-founder Irna Qureshi both receive MBEs alongside Munir Mamujee, managing director of m2r Education.

Melanie Oldham

Oldham who received the honour for services to business and cybersecurity said: “I am truly honoured to be awarded an OBE for services to cybersecurity.

“As a woman in a largely male-dominated industry, it is my firm belief it’s crucial that we continue to give opportunities and support to those who want to enter the sector, and to view talent without preconceptions. To be recognised as a leader in cybersecurity sends a positive message to anyone that, regardless of their background, a career in cybersecurity is possible for anyone.”

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