Monday January 13 2025
Swindon & Wiltshire News
Professionals in Swindon and Wiltshire have been recognised for their services to industry and their community in the delayed Queen’s Birthday Honours.
The honours were delayed from June to give the opportunity to recognise those who have played a significant part in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic.
Among the recipients of the MBE were Michael Biggar of Malmesbury, for services to charity and the NHS during the Covid-19 response, Amesbury resident Andrew Lord, CEO of the skills charity Alabaré, for services to the community in Wiltshire during Covid-19, and Salisbury resident Hywel Morgan, professor of bioelectronics at Southampton University, for services to biomedical engineering, particularly during Covid-19.
The professor helped develop a respirator to protect frontline healthcare workers at the beginning of the pandemic.
Warminster’s Arthur Curtis, founder of Experience UK, ITEC and ETSA, was awarded an MBE for services to international trade and exports, and there were OBEs for Trowbridge resident Paulette Cope, project manager at Phoenix II land equipment, for services to the Ministry of Defence, and for Tim Dawson, CEO of SkyDemon and resident of West Ashton, for services to aviation safety.
Tim began developing SkyDemon in 2006 as a way of planning flights while he was training for his private pilots licence. Today it is Europe’s market leading flight planning and navigation software. His company is based in Frome.
Meanwhile Alison Edgar, managing director of Chippenham-based Sales Coaching Solutions, received an MBE for services to entrepreneurship and small business.
“Everything I do has always been to help support small businesses and entrepreneurship, and I never expected any kind of recognition for the work that I do,” said Alison, who grew up in a high-rise flat in Clydebank at overcame undiagnosed dyslexia to enjoy a 25-year career in sales before launching Sales Coaching Solutions in 2011 to help other businesses up their sales game.
In the past five years Alison has been named GB Entrepreneur of the Year, represented the SME community at 10 Downing Street and the Queen’s Royal Garden Party, and authored a best-selling book, Secrets of Successful Sales.
Pictured: Alison Edgar MBE
