• Swindon & Wiltshire News
• Tuesday January 2 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

South West civic and business leaders recognised in New Years Honours list 2024

The mayor of Bristol and a rail director are among the South West civic and business leaders recognised in the New Years Honours list.

Bristol’s elected mayor, Marvin Rees, has been awarded an OBE for services to local government. And Ruth Busby, people and transformation director (regional) for GWR and Network Rail Wales and Western, has been awarded an OBE for services to diversity in the rail industry.

Marvin said: “I’m deeply honoured to have been awarded an OBE for services to local government. This would not have been possible without the support of my family, my team, and many other fellow Bristolians over a number of years.

“Together, we have delivered a lot. Since 2016, to give just two examples, Bristol has built over 12,500 new homes to tackle the housing crisis and secured the world-first Bristol City Leap deal, which plans £630 million of clean energy investment by 2028.

“In my final four months as mayor of my home city, our focus remains on delivering for Bristol as we continue building a City of Hope, where nobody is left behind.”

Ruth Busby said: “I’m absolutely thrilled and feel so humbled that people took the time to nominate me. We know that people are at their best when they feel valued, can be themselves and believe that their wellbeing matters.

“The work that I and my brilliant teams have been doing has aimed to create greater equity and workforce diversity, so that we’re more representative of the communities we serve and have an environment where everyone can flourish.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with organisations and charities beyond the day job to help bring about some exciting and positive change. I’m particularly proud of the work we’ve done to promote and support positive mental health and wellbeing, which is so important.”

Elsewhere Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis, receives a knighthood while two academics at the University of Bristol were also recognised in the list. John Iredale, professor of medical science has been awarded a knighthood for services to medical research, while professor Ronald Hutton receives a CBE for services to history.

Ruth Busby

Other notable recipients include:

CBE

Hetti Barkworth-Nanton from Wiltshire, co-founder of The Joanna Simpson Foundation and chair of domestic violence charity Refuge, for services to people affected by domestic abuse and homicide .

Professor Maggie Rae, from Chippenham, lately president of the UK Faculty of Public Health, for services to public health and to public health standards.

OBE

Dr Ruth Cromie, from Bristol, research fellow at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, for services to wetland and waterbird conservation.

Dr Kathryn Marks, from Bristol, deputy director of the Environment Agency for services to flood risk management and to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Dr Teame Mebrahtu, for services to education, to refugees and to the community in Bristol.

Amy Perrin, founder of Bristol’s The Marmalade Trust, for services to older people.

Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd) David Whimpenny, of Salisbury, lately trustee of The Royal British Legion for voluntary service.

MBE

Penelope Brown, for services to charity and to the community in Salisbury.

Valda Jackson, from Bristol, for services to art. Last year the sculptor designed a new 50p coin to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Windrush.

Phil Haughton, founder of Bristol-based organic retailer Better Food, for services to sustainable food initiatives and to the community in Bristol.

Joanne Loftus, of Warminster, lately civil secretary at the Ministry of Defence for services to defence.

Ruth Pitter, member of the Anchor Society and Stand Against Racism and Inequality, for services to equality, to charity and to the community in Bristol.

Dr Gordon Richardson from Bristol, treasurer of the Walking Alliance for services to disability access.

Alison Savage, from Bath, officer commanding, The Services Cotswold Centre, for services to military families.

Alexandra Vincent of Royal Wootton Bassett, lately COO at the Arts and Humanities Research Council, for services to research funding.

Keith Walton, founder of the Severnside Community Rail Partnership, for services to urban rail transport in Bristol.

Belinda Winstone, from Salisbury, team leader at the Army Bereavement and Aftercare Services for services to military families.

Latest: Former mayor joins Bristol University faculty as it climbs the worldwide uni rankings