• Swindon & Wiltshire News
• Monday June 19 2023
• Author Name: Peter Davison

South West business leaders recognised in King’s birthday honours list

Business leaders from the South West have been recognised in the King’s birthday honours.

Knighthood

Professor Steven West CBE DL, president of Universities UK and vice-chancellor of the University of the West of England receives a knighthood for services to health and to education.

CBE

Ann Underwood, deputy finance director at defence equipment and support at the Ministry of Defence has been awarded a CBE for services to defence.

MBE

Professor Rachid Hourizi of the University of Bath, and a director of the Institute of Coding has been awarded an MBE for services to the digital sector.

Susan Hewson-Lowe, founder and director of Bradley Stoke-based Bodywise UK, gets an MBE for services to women’s health and to the environment.

Julia Adamson, managing director for education and public benefit, at BCS, the Chartered Institute of IT in Swindon, has been awarded an MBE for services to education.

Sally Orange, from Salisbury receives an MBE for her services to charity and mental health.

Professor Steven West is one of the longest serving UK Vice-Chancellors and is currently President of Universities UK.

He has been recognised for his major contributions to education, health, and business, underpinned by a profound commitment to transforming lives.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted and proud to receive this honour, which also reflects the amazing work we are leading at UWE Bristol.

“I have been at the University in a senior leadership position for over 27 years and President of Universities UK since 2021.

“I feel very privileged to have worked with brilliantly talented students, colleagues, collaborators, and boards throughout my career.

“Together we have achieved transformational change in education, health and business. Together we have been bold enough to face the really difficult issues, to engage and to take action to create positive change.

“Universities play a critical role in shaping local decisions, improving lives in our communities, and boosting the economy and cultural vibrancy across our country.

“I am hugely proud that through our education, research and enterprise, we create a huge diversity of jobs and opportunities, positively impact areas of local deprivation, transform local services and empower people from all backgrounds to fulfil their potential.

“I am deeply touched to receive this honour and would like to thank everyone for their support, guidance and influence over the many years, in particular my family and colleagues.”

Julia Adamson’s mission at BCS is to give every young person the digital skills they need to succeed in life and work.

Julia played a lead role in establishing and managing the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE), an £84 million government-funded programme to upskill teachers to deliver world-class computing education in schools.

Under her leadership, the Computing at School (CAS) teachers’ network has grown in influence and now has over 25,000 teacher members.

BCS’ Barefoot scheme, which supports primary teachers with learning materials and lesson plans, has so far reached 2.85 million children across the UK.

Julia is Vice-Chair of the Uffculme Multi Academy Trust, in Mid Devon, where she lives with her family.

Julia began her career in education 26 years ago as a teacher in Cheshire. In 2006 she joined Liverpool-based company, MGL, developing her vision for tech in schools, and how it could transform outcomes for learners.

She joined Exeter-based South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL) in 2009, supporting its work on online safety and education.

Julia joined BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT in 2017, holding a number of leadership roles, and is now Managing Director, Education and Public Benefit.

Julia said: “I want this honour to recognise the work of every teacher who brings digital skills and computing education into young people’s lives.

“I became passionate about the wonder and power of computing as a primary school teacher over 25 years ago and it was clear then it would only become more important.

“Today with the emergence of AI, it is absolutely vital that every girl and boy has the digital skills and qualifications they need to achieve their ambitions and thrive. Computing gets everywhere, like glitter – there’s no going back.”

Global IT entrepreneur Dame Stephanie Shirley, a Distinguished Fellow of BCS said: “Julia is an inspirational role model to young women building careers in technology, whether that is through teaching, leading organisations or starting new businesses. She has dedicated her life to bringing the life-changing benefits of computing and tech to everyone.

“This honour recognises how much she has achieved as well as her ambition to do even more.”

Following 22 years as a physiotherapist in the Royal Army Medical Corps, Sally Orange was medically discharged due to severe depression and anxiety.

Despite battling her own mental health, Sally has made it her crusade to raise awareness, funds and support for others, having run over 80 marathons, raising over half a million pounds for over 50 different charities.

Some people go the extra mile but earlier this year Sally went the extra 25,000 miles, when she ran seven marathons on seven continents in just seven days, to raise funds and awareness for seven different charities, including SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

Sally is the only person in the world to have completed this amazing feat dressed as pieces of fruit, in a bid to break the stigma associated with mental illness.

Sally’s affiliation with SSAFA started in 2018 due to her love of rhyming and 22 years of military service.

Sally said: “After a chance meeting with SSAFA CEO, Sir Andrew Gregory, he suggested the possibility of me raising funds for SSAFA, I don’t know why, but straight away I thought ‘ahh I could be a Jaffa for SSAFA!’ and that was that.”

Sally then ran 100 kilometres across the Gobi Desert dressed as a slice of orange (naturally) for SSAFA.

She now has a number of Guinness World Records under her belt, including the fastest marathon dressed as a nut.

Sally often dresses as food for her challenges and brings a great sense of humour to her work as a mental health champion.

Sally said: “It’s taken me a long time to be able to talk about it, but there have been many times in my life where I haven’t wanted to be alive.

“Some people assume that, because I went to Afghanistan, and treated some seriously wounded casualties whilst working in the hospital, that my problems are linked to that.

“The truth is, this was one of the best times in my military career. It was a time I felt a real sense of self-worth, had a purpose, and felt that I was able to make a difference to the lives of others.

“Leaving Afghanistan, however, was tough for me. I didn’t want to go back to reality and often wished I had lost my life there. In my mind it would have been a kindness to my family and friends as I wouldn’t be a constant burden to them.

“Those thoughts are with me still. But I have learnt to talk openly about them and get the help I need to help me manage them. I want other people to know that there is hope and that talking to someone about the difficulties you are facing and the associated emotions, can help keep you safe.”

By taking on extreme physical challenges, dressed as different pieces of fruit, Sally raises lots of smiles and gets people asking her why?

She tells them of her passion to break the stigma associated with mental illness and she finds they often open up and talk about how either they, or someone they know, has struggled with their mental health.

Sir Andrew Gregory, CEO at SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, said: “Sally has been extremely courageous by being open about the challenges she has faced and encouraging others to talk about their own mental wellbeing issues; there are few more relevant narratives in today’s society.

That, and the monies she has raised for charities, including SSAFA, are really important. And she has done it in an innovative, engaging manner; indeed, as a lady with the surname Orange, I even found myself joining her in being a ‘Jaffa for SSAFA’!

“I am absolutely delighted that she has been recognised by the award of an MBE; I can think of no more deserving a recipient.”