New Year's Honours: Cyclists Laura and Jason Kenny and swimmer Maisie Summers-Newton recognised

311221 HONOURS KENNY ANG
Dame Laura and Sir Jason arriving home from Tokyo Credit: ITV News

Cycling's golden couple Laura and Jason Kenny have been awarded a damehood and knighthood respectively after breaking yet more records at the Tokyo Olympics.

Jason became Britain's most successful ever Olympian as he won his seventh gold, while Laura, who was born in Essex extended her own record as the nation's most successful female by collecting her fifth gold and a silver medal to boot.

Double gold-medalling Paralympic swimmer Maisie Summers-Newton has been made an MBE.

Maisie Summers-Newton MBE arriving home from Tokyo Credit: ITV Anglia

The 19-year-old swimmer from Wollaston near Wellingborough was one of the breakout stars of the Tokyo Games.

As well as a gold medal in the SM6 200m individual medley she also set a new Paralympic record when she won the SB6 100 metres breaststroke.

Olympic gold medal gymnast Max Whitlock

Six-time Olympic medallist Max Whitlock has been made an OBE for services to gymnastics after adding to his roll of honour at the Tokyo Games.

The 28-year-old claimed his third career Olympic gold when he successfully defended his pommel horse title in August.

Professor Ben Hodgkinson, 46, from Kettering, was rewarded for services to the NHS during Covid-19 with a BEM.

He said "I'm quite in shock really, I have no idea who nominated me, but I'm absolutely flattered and honoured to receive the British Empire Medal."

Professor Ben Hodgkinson with his CPAP device Credit: ITV Anglia

He created a new continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device in order to reduce the burden on the NHS and save the lives of thousands of people, as there was a shortage of ventilators in March 2020.

He and his team reverse engineered the original CPAP model and improved it. The Mark II UCL-Ventura required significantly less oxygen. The first prototype was produced in 26 hours. 

The project took 10 days to complete, from reverse engineering the original product, producing a new design, testing, regulatory approval and finally production.  

A government order for up to 10,000 of the devices means they are now being produced at a rate of up to 1,000 a day in Brixworth, Northamptonshire, where Mercedes-Benz has a technology centre.

The CPAP is manufactured at the Mercedes Brixworth centre Credit: Mercedes AMG HPP

Andrew Haigh, from Stamford, is also celebrating receiving an MBE. The 63-year-old was awarded for his service to the arts.

The former investment banker in both London and New York is also a trustee of both the Hepworth Wakefield and Royal College of Music.

Lorna Weston, from Wimblington in Cambridgeshire, is made an MBE for services to people with a learning disability.

She is head of Thera East Anglia, a supported employment project that helps adults with a learning disability access services and get work.

Rail worker Vincent James from Irchester in Northamptonshire receives a BEM for services to prisoners during Covid-19.

Until the pandemic, Mr James, 54, visited at least one prison a month telling them about possible careers in the railway and encouraging them to have belief in their own potential.

He has spoken to more than 6,000 inmates and has even persuaded Network Rail to change their employment policies and make ex-offenders eligible for recruitment.

Sir Lewis Hamilton may have missed out on the world F1 drivers title - but the head of mechanical engineering at F1 engine maker Mercedes AMG HPP has also won a BEM.

Aaron Shrive, 32, from Desborough, is also recognised for his work during the pandemic.

He is being honoured for the 3D printer design engineer he helped supply PPE for NHS hospitals and local businesses. 

Others honoured for helping their communities during Covid included Carol Lister, BEM, of Leighton Buzzard.

Ms Lister, along with Gail Steed, set up a foodbank collection point in a local church.

She and her friend also founded and coordinated a volunteer service to further help members of the community who could no longer access local provisions due to shielding restrictions.

Former police officer Nicola Perfect, from Risley in Bedfordshire, transformed a disused garage into a social hub and receives a BEM.

The business employs 12 people in a mechanical garage, gym and a coffee shop catering specifically to the elderly.

During Covid she set up free live streaming daily fitness classes to all via the local Facebook page and adapted the coffee shop business in order to prepare and deliver free meals to those in need. Teenager Muhammad Kamil Ali, BEM, from Luton helped young people by providing free maths and English tuition to catch-up on lost learning during the lockdown.

The 19-year-old prepares 130 hours of free English and Maths tuition material and provides small group tuition in these subjects on a weekly basis.

Julie West, 83, from Rushden, receives a BEM for voluntary service to veterans. Julie has been a member of the Royal British Legion since she was 15. She was inspired to join after the death of her father in the Second World War.

Known locally as the "Poppy Lady", she has raised £380,000 since 2012 alone.

County by County guide to honours in the region

Bedfordshire

CBE

Jenny COLES - Director of Children's Services, Hertfordshire County Council. For services to Children's Social Care (Dunstable) OBE

Deborah Mary INSKIP - For services to the community in Bedfordshire particularly during Covid-19 (Bedford)

James JAMIESON - Chairman, Local Government Association. For services to Local Government (Bedford)

MBE

Professor Alan Michael COTTENDEN - Emeritus Professor of Incontinence Technology, University College London. For services to Sufferers of Incontinence (Bedford)

David JONATHAN - Director, Grassroots Programme, Luton Council of Faiths and Near Neighbours Programme. For services to Community Cohesion and Interfaith Relations in Luton, Bedfordshire (Luton)

Paul Francis John MACKIN - Town Councillor and Mayor, Shefford Town, Bedfordshire. For services to Local Government (Shefford)

Charan Kanwal Singh SEKHON - Senior Environment Officer, Environment Agency and Founder Chairman, SEVA Trust UK. For services to Charity, Diversity and the Environment, particularly during Covid-19 (Bedford) BEM

Muhammad Kamil ALI - Volunteer Tutor, BPCD Trust, Luton. For services to Education (Luton)

Rosemary Margaret GEORGE - For services to the community in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire during Covid-19 (Leighton Buzzard)

Nikki Anne ILES - For services to Music (Bedford)

Cathryn Joanne LEGG - For services to the community in Luton, Bedfordshire particularly during Covid-19. (Dunstable)

Nicola Rachel PERFECT - For services to the community in Risley, Bedfordshire particularly during Covid-19. (Risley)

Back to top

Cambridgeshire

KNIGHTHOOD

William Anthony Bowater RUSSELL - Lately Lord Mayor of London. For services to Financial Innovation, Culture, and Wellbeing in the City of London particularly during Covid-19 (Thriplow)

CBE

Professor James DIGGLE - Emeritus Professor of Greek and Latin, University of Cambridge. For services to Classical Scholarship (Cambridge)

Mark Richard LLOYD - Chief Executive, Local Government Association. For services to Local Government and to Charity (Cambridge)

OBE

Francis BUTTERFILL - Head of Integrated Services, Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group. For services to the Royal Air Force (Cambridge)

Dr Ian William CAMPBELL - Lately Interim Executive Chair, Innovate UK. For services to Innovation (Spaldwick)

Dr Ruth Eleanor MARCH - Senior Vice President, Precision Medicine and Biosamples, AstraZeneca. For services to UK Science and the COVID-19 response (Cambridge)

Catherine Lynne MCCLURE - Director, Cambridge Mathematics. For services to Education (Cambridge)

Sonia WALSH - Governor, H.M. Prison Wayland. For services to H.M. Prison and Probation Service (Ely)

MBE

Luke Berenger COLLET-FENSON - Senior Private Secretary to the Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health and Social Care. For Public Service during Covid-19 (Ely)

Danny Lewis NEWLAND - Custodial Manager, H.M. Prison Littlehey. For Public Service (March)

Lynne RADBONE - Principal Paediatric Dietitian, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. For services to Sick and Premature Babies (Huntington)

Lorna Havard WESTON - Managing Director, Thera East Anglia. For services to People with Learning Disabilities (Wimblington)

BEM

Lesley Margaret RAWLINSON - Laboratory Manager, Imperial College London. For services to the Covid-19 Response (Cambridge)

Irene Mary RICHARDS - For voluntary service to Safeguarding and to the community in the London Borough of Enfield (Cambridge)

Back to top

Essex

CBE

Robert Chad MCCRACKEN MBE - Performance Director, British Amateur Boxing Association. For services to Boxing (Brentwood)

OBE

Joy Michelle BROWN - Lately Senior District Crown Prosecutor, East of England, Crown Prosecution Service. For services to Law and Order (Chelmsford)

Obumneke Ndudirim EKEKE - For services to Computing and Artificial Intelligence Education, and to Championing Diversity and Inclusion in the Technology Sector (Chelmsford)

Dr Andre Jan IMICH - Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Professional Adviser, Department for Education. For services to Children and Young People (Leigh-on-Sea)

Matthew Leon JONES - Executive Principal, ARK Globe Academy, London. For services to Education (South Woodham Ferrers)

Keith Andrew MEADE - Assistant Head, Physical Security Policy, Ministry of Defence. For services to Defence and to Diversity (Harlow)

Max Antony WHITLOCK MBE - For services to Gymnastics (Bulphan)

MBE

Ashley BANJO - For services to Dance (Bicknacre)

Dennis Morris BARNETT - For services to Vulnerable People in Essex (Colchester)

Sushma BHANOT - For services to Wellbeing and the community in Chigwell, Essex, particularly during Covid-19 (Chigwell)

John Frederick Leonard CAIGER - Cadet Executive Officer, Essex Army Cadet Force. For services to Young People in Essex (Colchester)

Brian CHENIER - Support Officer, Prosthetics, Blesma. For services to Disabled Veterans (Colchester)

James MACKIE JP - Chair, Lifeboat Management Group, Southend-on-Sea Lifeboat Station. For services to the RNLI and to Charity (Southend-on-Sea)

Roger Colin MCFARLAND - For services to the community in Chelmsford, Essex (Chelmsford)

Valerie METCALFE - Lately Councillor, Essex County Council. For Political and Public Service (Loughton)

Nicholas George ROUSE - For services to the community in Ridgewell, Essex (Halstead)

Mitesh Puspakkant SHETH - Chief Executive Officer, Redington. For services to Diversity and Inclusion in the Financial Services Sector (Loughton)

BEM

Julia Evelyn BAXTER - Personal Secretary to Commander, 16 Air Assault Brigade. For services to the Army and the community in Colchester, Essex (Colchester)

Jayne Beverley CHAPMAN - Councillor, Tendring District Council. For services to the community in Brightlingsea, Essex particularly during Covid-19 (Brightlingsea)

Linda May DUTAUT - For services to the community in Maldon, Essex, particularly during Covid-19 (Maldon)

Michael George KING - For services to the Ethiopia Hope charity (Southminster)

Sharon Marie MCLAUGHLIN - Business Support Manager, Community and Children’s Services Department, City of London Corporation. For services to the community in the City of London (Chelmsford)

Florence OSBORNE - For services to Vulnerable People and the community in Harwich, Essex particularly during Covid-19 (Harwich)

Martin Graham PALMER - Manager, Children's Burns Club, Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford. For voluntary and charitable services to Injured Children and their Families (Billericay)

Reverend Donald Edgar SMITH - For services to the community in Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, particularly during Covid-19 (Frinton on Sea)

Ralph Charles SPRINGETT - For services to the community in Maldon, Essex particularly during Covid-19 (Maldon)

Laura Amy THURLOW - Chief Executive, Community Foundation for Surrey. For services to the community in Surrey, particularly during Covid-19 (Leigh-on-Sea)

Anne Katherine WILSON - For services to the community in Great Leighs, Essex (Chelmsford)

Dawn Marie WOOD - Marine Constable, Essex Police. For services to Marine Policing and to Conservation (Burnham on Crouch)

Back to top

Hertfordshire

DAMEHOODS

Dr Vivienne COX CBE - Independent Non-Executive Director and Workforce Engagement Director, GSK and Chair, Rosalind Franklin Institute. For services to Sustainability, and to Diversity and Inclusion in Business. (Hemel Hempstead)

Sara KHAN - Lately Lead Commissioner, Commission for Countering Extremism. For services to Human Rights and Counter Extremism (Watford)

Dr June Munro RAINE CBE - Chief Executive, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. For services to Healthcare and the Covid-19 Response (Bishops Stortford)

CBE

Jenny COLES - Director of Children's Services, Hertfordshire County Council. For services to Children's Social Care (Dunstable)

Dr Steven John GAMBLIN FRS - Director of Scientific Platforms, The Francis Crick Institute. For services to Scientific Research (Radlett)

Professor Russell Mardon VINER - Professor in Adolescent Health, University College London. For services to Child and Adolescent Health, particularly during Covid-19 (Harpenden)

OBE

Dr David BENTLEY - Vice-President and Chief Scientist, Illumina Cambridge Ltd. For services to Expertise and Leadership in Human Medical Genomics (Harpenden)

Sharon Tracey DAVIES - Chief Executive, Hertfordshire Care Providers Association. For services to Social Care in Hertfordshire (Stevenage)

Sally DEBONNAIRE - Director of Production, ITV. For services to Television and voluntary service to Skills through ScreenSkills (Berkhamstead)

David Hugh JOHNSTON - Head, Digital Trust and Evidence Group. For services to Law Enforcement (Letchworth Garden City)

Dr Julia Elizabeth THOMPSON - Senior Director R&D, AstraZeneca. For services to the COVID-19 response (Thriplow)

Sarah Jane WREN MBE - Chief Executive Officer, Hertfordshire Independent Living Service. For services to Older and Disabled People in Hertfordshire (Hitchin)

MBE

Matthew Philip BOLSHAW - Member, Secretariat for the General Aviation, All-Party Parliamentary Group. For services to Aviation Safety (Letchmore Heath)

Jonathan COGGAN - For services to Wheelchair Rugby (Hertford)

Pretty NKIWANE - Social Care and Service Manager, Hertfordshire Children Services. For services to Children's Social Care during Covid-19 (Hatfield)

Rosalind Mary PAUL - Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director, Scene and Heard. For charitable services to Theatre, to Young People and to Families in Somers Town, London Borough of Camden (St Albans)

Stewart Colin POWELL - For services to People with Polio in the UK and to the Criminal Justice System (Bushey)

Elizabeth Jane PRYOR - Chief Executive Officer, The Anne Robson Trust. For services to End of Life Care (Stevenage)

Paul REES - Chief Executive, Royal College of Psychiatrists. For services to Mental Health and to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (Kings Langley)

James Penry ROBERTS - For services to Wheelchair Rugby (Hertford)

Christopher RYAN - For services to Wheelchair Rugby (Welwyn)

Natalie Charlotte SHAW - Director, Employment Affairs, International Chamber of Shipping. For services to Seafarers during the Covid-19 Pandemic (Borehamwood)

BEM

Gerald Victor MILLINGTON - For services to Local History in Devon and Hertfordshire (Budleigh Salterton, Devon)

Gillian Mary WILLIAMS - President, Watford Premier Netball Club. For services to Netball in Watford (Watford)

David John WILSON - For services to the community in Stevenage, Hertfordshire (Stevenage)

Back to top

Milton Keynes

MBE

William John GRIFFITHS - Director, Milton Keynes Museum. For services to Museums and to the community in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire (Milton Keynes)

Marilyn HUBBARD - Chair of Trustees, Inspiring Futures through Learning Multi-Academy Trust, Milton Keynes. For services to Education (Olney)

Andrea VINCENT - Chair MK-Act, Milton Keynes. For services to Victims of Domestic Abuse (Milton Keynes)

Peter John WILSON - Trustee, Milton Keynes Special Needs Advancement Project. For services to People with Educational Disabilities (Milton Keynes)

BEM

Terence Michael BROMILOW - Chair, Marshall Milton Keynes Athletics Club. For services to Athletics in Buckinghamshire (Milton Keynes)

Vinodkumar Mashri Jeram PANKHANIA - For services to the community in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire (Milton Keynes)

Ruth PANTHER - For services to the community in Great Linford, Milton Keynes during Covid-19 (Milton Keynes)

Khadijah SAFARI - Chief Executive Officer, Safari MMA. For services to Inclusion and Diversity in Martial Arts (Milton Keynes)

Back to top

Norfolk

MBE

Darren BARKER - Principal Conservation Officer, Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Managing Director, Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust. For services to Heritage (Catfield, Norfolk)

Dr Vivienne Catherine LENNOX - Chair of Governors, Suffield Park Infant and Nursery School, Norfolk. For services to Education (Cromer, Norfolk)

Mark LITTLE - For services to Victims of Modern Slavery (Norwich, Norfolk)

Dr Beth MOSLEY - Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Thurston Community College, West Suffolk, Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. For services to Mental Health (Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk)

Diana Jane STAINES - For services to People with Disabilities in Norfolk, particularly during Covid-19 (Great Yarmouth, Norfolk) BEM

Gillian Isabel CREED - For services to fundraising and to the community in Swaffham, Norfolk (Norwich, Norfolk)

Melanie FURNESS - For services to Fundraising and to the community in Thetford, Norfolk (Thetford, Norfolk)

Tyrone HAROLD - For services to the community in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk during Covid-19 (Great Yarmouth, Norfolk)

Nicola Ann MORRIS - For services to the community in the London Borough of Camden, particularly during Covid-19 (Wymondham, Norfolk)

Trevor Wayne SAUNDERS - For services to the community in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, particularly during Covid-19 (Great Yarmouth, Norfolk)

Sharon Ann THOMPSON - For services to the community in Thetford, Norfolk, particularly during Covid-19 (Thetford, Norfolk)

Andrew WADDISON - For services to the community in King’s Lynn, Norfolk during Covid-19 (King's Lynn, Norfolk)

Back to top

Northamptonshire

CBE

Alison Jane DUCKLES - Head, Learning and Development, Laing O'Rourke. For services to Education (Wellingborough)

OBE

Yvonne Dawn BAKER - Chief Executive, STEM Learning. For services to STEM Education (Rushden)

Catherine Margaret KITCHEN - Chief Executive Officer, Skylark Partnership Academy Trust and Chair, National Association of Hospital Education. For services to Children and Young People (Daventry)

Sandra Jane WHITE - Lately National Lead for Dental Public Health, Public Health England. For services to Dental Public Health and Covid-19 (Northampton)

MBE

Professor Simon David GREGORY DL -Deputy Medical Director, Primary and Integrated Care, Health Education England and General Practitioner, King Edward Road Surgery, Northampton. For services to General Practice (Northampton)

Victoria Jane MILES DL - Chief Executive, Northamptonshire Community Foundation. For services to the Community in Northamptonshire during Covid-19 (Daventry)

Kevin MOSELEY - Founder and Chief Executive Officer, SwimFin Ltd. For services to International Trade, to Investment and to Charity (Wellingborough)

Maisie SUMMERS-NEWTON - For services to Swimming (Wellingborough)

Charlotte WORTHINGTON - For services to Bicycle Motor Cross Racing (Corby)

BEM

Timothy James ALDOUS - Works Supervisor, Forestry England. For services to Forestry (Kettering)

Professor Benjamin Charles HODGKINSON - Head of Mechanical Engineering, Mercedes AMG HPP. For services to the NHS during Covid-19 (Kettering)

Vincent Victor JAMES - Employee, Network Rail. For services to Prisoners during Covid-19 (Wellingborough)

Aaron Luke SHRIVE - For services to the Covid-19 response in Leicestershire (Desborough)

Julie WEST - Poppy Appeal Volunteer, Rushden Branch, Royal British Legion. For voluntary service to Veterans in Rushden, Northamptonshire (Rushden)

Back to top

Rutland

MBE

Andrew Michael HAIGH - For services to the Arts (Stamford)

Paul Mayo HOLT - For services to International Trade, to Education, and to the UK's PPE Supply Chain (Ayston)

Back to top

Suffolk

CBE

Sir Laurence Henry Philip MAGNUS Bt - Chair, Historic England and Member, Culture Recovery Board. For services to Heritage particularly during Covid-19 (Bungay)

OBE

Antony John Peter BOWRING - Lately Secretary and Ship Organiser, Transglobe Expedition Trust. For services to Charity (Saxmundham)

MBE

Frank BRIGHT - For services to Holocaust Education (Ipswich)

Jordan Michael CATCHPOLE - For services to Swimming (Beccles)

Margaret DAVENPORT - For services to Arts in the community in Suffolk (Stowmarket)

Dr Beth MOSLEY - Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Thurston Community College, West Suffolk, Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. For services to Mental Health (Bury St Edmunds)

Mark Glenn MURPHY - For services to Radio and to the community in Suffolk (Felixstowe)

George William PAUL - For services to British Horseracing Heritage (Ipswich)

BEM

Darren William AITCHISON - For services to the community in Felixstowe, Suffolk during Covid-19 (Felixstowe)

Paul Edward BOOKER - Special Superintendent, Suffolk Special Constabulary. For services to Policing (Lowestoft)

Susan COLLINS - For services to the community in Bungay, Suffolk during Covid-19 (Bungay)

Averil Selina GIBBINS - Lately School Cleaner, Whitehouse Community Primary School, Ipswich. For services to Education (Ipswich)

Franstine Cassandra Blandel JONES - Volunteer and Trustee, National Black Police Association. For services to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities in Suffolk (Kesgrave)

Kathryn Linda PARKER - For services to the community in Woolpit, Suffolk during Covid-19 (Bury St Edmunds)

Adria PITTOCK - Chartered Environmentalist and Chair, Suffolk Pride. For services to the Environment and the LGBTQ+ community in Suffolk (Ipswich)

Crystal Jayne STANLEY - Creator, The Rainbow Trail. For services to the Covid-19 response (Ipswich)

Lorraine Alexis STONE - For services to the community in Moulton, Suffolk (Bury St Edmunds)

John Gillespie TILLOTSON - Detachment Commander, Suffolk Army Cadet Force. For voluntary service to Young People in Suffolk (Bury St Edmunds)

Krystal Ann Joan VITTLES - Head of Service Delivery, Suffolk Libraries. For services to Public Libraries (Stowmarket)

Back to top