South West and West Midlands business leaders recognised in the King's birthday honours
Business leaders from the South West and West Midlands have been recognised in the King's birthday honours. They include:
BRISTOL
KNIGHTHOOD
Professor Iain Gilmour Gray CBE FRSE FREng. Director of Aerospace, Cranfield University. For services to the Aerospace Industry. (Bristol)
CBE
Ann Elizabeth Underwood. Deputy Finance Director, Defence Equipment and Support, Ministry of Defence. For services to Defence. (Bristol)
MBE
Professor Rachid Hourizi. Director, Institute of Coding. For services to the Digital Sector. (Bristol)
Iain Patrick Wentworth Boyd. Lately Chair and Trustee, Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. For services to Heritage. (Bristol)
Read more: Regional businesspeople and even a clown receive New Year's Honours
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
KNIGHTHOOD
Professor Steven George West CBE DL. President of Universities UK and Vice-Chancellor, University of the West of England. For services to Health and to Education. (Gloucestershire)
CB
Adrian Duncan Baguley. Deputy Chief Executive and Director General Strategic Enablers, Defence Equipment and Support. For services to Defence. (Gloucestershire)
CBE
Phillip Mark Hayes O’Dell. Lately Director of Flight Operations and Chief Test Pilot, Rolls-Royce. For services to UK Aviation. (Stroud, Gloucestershire)
OBE
Denis Edmond Woulfe MBE. Co-Chair, Leaders as Change Agent Board. For services to Business and to Equality. (Cheltenham, Gloucestershire)
Duncan Clinton Sharkey. Lately Chief Executive. Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. For services to the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. (Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire)
BEM
Jennifer Rose Ann Didcote. Postmaster. For services to the community in Bishop’s Cleeve, Gloucestershire. (Cheltenham, Gloucestershire)
SOMERSET
MBE
Robin Matthew Herringshaw. Head of Resilience at National Highways. For services to the State Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
WILTSHIRE
DBE
Professor Melanie Joanne Welham. Executive Chair of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. For services to Bioscience. (Whitley, Wiltshire)
OBE
Julia Elizabeth Nolan. Lately Deputy Director, International Climate Strategy, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. For services to International Climate Diplomacy. (Swindon, Wiltshire)
MBE
Julia Adamson. MD for Education and Public Benefit, BCS the Chartered Institute of IT. For Services to Education. (Swindon, Wiltshire)
Richard James Symonds. Security Incident Policy and Investigation Team Leader, Ministry of Defence. For services to Defence. (Wiltshire)
Read more: Former Gloucestershire Echo and Citizen editor awarded MBE in Queen's Birthday Honours
WARWICKSHIRE
OBE
Susan Christine Cox. Founder and Director of SMART-UK. For services to Addicts in Prison. (Warwick, Warwickshire)
MBE
Karen Jane Lynch. For services to Social Enterprise and to Charity. (Rugby, Warwickshire)
BEM
Elizabeth Susan Baitson. Founder, High Net Connect. For services to Business and to Entrepreneurs. (Warwick, Warwickshire)
WEST MIDLANDS
OBE
Anne Catherine Shaw. Executive Director, Transport for West Midlands. For services to the Commonwealth Games 2022. (Solihull, West Midlands)
MBE
Pauline Jones. Employer and Partnership Manager, Department for Work and Pensions. For services to the community in Birmingham, particularly during the 2022 Commonwealth Games. (Dudley, West Midlands)
BEM
Zoe Bennett. Entrepreneur and Motivational Speaker. For services to Charity and Inspiring Disadvantaged People. (Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands)
WORCESTERSHIRE
CBE
Professor Caroline Mary Series FRS. Emeritus Professor of Mathematics, University of Warwick. For services to Mathematics. (Malvern, Worcestershire)
Clifford Mark Robson. Group Managing Director, BAE Systems. For services to the Defence Industry. (Evesham, Worcestershire)
OBE
Professor Joanne Victoria Elizabeth Norton (Jo Smith). Professor of Early Intervention and Psychosis, University of Worcester. For services to Higher Education and to Student Suicide Prevention and Response. (Worcester, Worcestershire)
MBE
Lisa Serafina Ventura. For services to Cyber Security and to Diversity and Inclusion. (Worcester, Worcestershire)
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.”
Anne Shaw has been honoured for her key role in spearheading the successful transport planning and operations during last summer’s Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
It involved bringing together multiple authorities and transport operators to deliver a complex travel package.
Measures such as free public transport, hundreds of extra shuttle buses, park and ride locations and free cycle hire for spectators ensured that the venues were filled to capacity for the showcase sporting event.
Anne said: “It’s a great honour to be recognised for our contribution to the success of Birmingham 2022.
“It is not just for me but also the fantastic team of talented people here are TfWM, as well as the wider transport community, who made sure that we were able to get a million plus spectators, athletes and officials to and from their events – while the rest of the region went about their daily journeys.
“It was a hugely rewarding experience and something I am immensely proud of – this honour is the icing on the cake.”
Anne also led on the development of the ground-breaking Regional Transport Coordination Centre (RTCC) to oversee the West Midlands road, rail, bus and tram networks. First opened in 2020 it played a crucial role in traffic and transport management during last summer.
Ensuring close collaboration between the region’s local authorities, transport operators and emergency services the RTCC continues to improve journeys for people and keep the public updated with the latest travel information.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Congratulations to Anne on being awarded this honour. Being responsible for transport is not always the easiest of briefs but Anne has always embraced the challenge - leading TfWM day in day out.
“I know she is committed to improving the journey experience for local people right across our region and creating a better-connected West Midlands.
“I want to express my thanks for all Anne has done - particularly the pivotal role she played in designing and developing the Commonwealth Games Transport Plan that proved its mettle during the Games by delivering successfully on the ground throughout what was a spectacular summer of collective celebration.”
