Birthday honours for business figures in region

A CLUTCH of business and political figures from the region received recognition in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

The chairman of Sheffield Forgemasters International, Tony Pedder, has been awarded an OBE.

The high-profile city businessman has received the accolade in recognition of his work in the city’s manufacturing, health, education and voluntary sectors.

Dorothy Thompon, chief executive of power station operator Drax  received an CBE while James Lambert, chairman and CEO of North Yorkshire-based international food business R&R Ice Cream, received an OBE.

Linda Pollard, former Yorkshire Forward board member and chairman of Coutts bank in Yorkshire, who already held an OBE, received a CBE for services to business and the community in Yorkshire and the Humber.

Barnsley Council leader Stephen Houghton received a knighthood while longserving BBC broadcaster Harry Gration and Richard Lewis, chairman of Sport England and former chairman of the Rugby Football League received MBEs.

Richard Mantle, director of Opera North, received an OBE.

Mr Pedder said: “Receiving this honour is a source of immense pride for me.  I am glad to have played my part in the life of this city and I continue to see tremendous opportunities for the future as we work together to create opportunities and skills, economic growth and a better quality of life for the people of Sheffield.”

His involvement in the city business region began when he came to Sheffield in 1985 to run British Steel’s stainless steel business (now Outokumpu). During various roles at British Steel, and subsequently Corus, he oversaw other steelmaking operations in the city, including Tata Engineering Steels.

Joining Sheffield Forgemasters in a consulting role, he supported chief executive Graham Honeyman’s turnaround of the company and became chairman in 2005, a post he continues to hold today.

Professor Graham Honeyman, Sheffield Forgemasters chief executive, said: “This recognition of Tony’s work across the city region’s most important organisations is truly well deserved.

“He has played a crucial role in helping us to reshape this business to become a global market leader and a recognised marque of excellence and continues to work tirelessly as an ambassador for Sheffield businesses, charities and educational institutions, despite his many years of work as one of the region’s leading industrialists.”

Mr Pedder started his involvement in the health sector in 2006 when he became chair of Sheffield NHS Primary Care Trust, building the team which turned the former PCT into one of the most successful in the country and which – following the NHS reforms earlier this year – is now the Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group. He is also the current chairman of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The 63-year-old businessman is a well-known figure in the city’s voluntary sector, too. As chairman of Whirlow Hall Farm Trust, Mr Pedder offers hands-on experience and shares his knowledge of farming, the countryside and the environment to visitors.

Mr Pedder is on the board of trustees at Sheffield Theatres, is a deputy lieutenant for South Yorkshire and senior warden of the Cutlers’ Company.

As pro-chancellor of Sheffield University, he chairs the AMI advisory board, which supports the work of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC). A long-standing member of The University of Sheffield Council, he will become chairman in August.

Sir Andrew Cash, chief executive of Sheffield Teaching Hospital Trust, said: “This is a richly deserved award that honours Tony’s years of commitment and outstanding service to the National Health Service as well as his significant contribution to industry and voluntary services.”