The Honours System

 

Nominating someone

 

An Honour is a distinctive way of acknowledging someone’s impact on UK life and recognising that they have achieved something very special and given service above and beyond what would normally be expected of them.

 

They will usually have made life better for other people or been outstanding at what they do.

 

Across Devon there are very many people from all walks of life who meet those criteria; you may well know someone who does.

 

It’s very easy to nominate someone and this part of the website will help you do it.

 

Nominating Someone

 

Who are national honours for?

 

Honours are for individuals from all walks of life who have achieved something very special. This might be at a national level or maybe for those who are well respected by local people and will have made a difference in their neighbourhood. Over half of all awards go to people who are putting something extra into the community on a voluntary basis.

People get honours for achievements like:

  • making a difference to their community or field of work
  • enhancing Britain’s reputation
  • long-term voluntary service
  • innovation and entrepreneurship
  • changing things, with an emphasis on achievement
  • improving life for people less able to help themselves
  • displaying moral courage

Honours are given to people involved in many different fields including:

  • community, voluntary and local services
  • arts and media
  • health
  • sport
  • education
  • science and technology
  • business and the economy
  • civil or political service

National honours are for individuals, so if you are thinking of nominating a group or organisation please look at our pages on the King’s Award for Voluntary Service and King’s Award for Enterprise.

The Honours System

 

What levels of Honours are there?

 

When writing a nomination you don’t need to say what level of award you are aiming at – this is decided by the Cabinet Office Committees when they read the nomination letters.

But as a guide the National Honours are:

 

  • British Empire Medal (BEM): awarded for very “hands-on” service to the community in a local geographical area.
  • Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE): recognises an achievement or service to the community which has delivered a sustained impact, and which stands out as an example to others.
  • Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE): recognises those who have performed a distinguished regional or county-wide role in any field.
  • Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE): rewards a prominent national or regional role.
  • Dame or Knight: for those who have made a pre-eminent contribution in any field, usually at a national level.

Who decides

 

who gets an Honour?

 

The nomination is assessed by one of nine specialist committees, all independently chaired, using guidelines set out by the Prime Minister. In Devon – as elsewhere in the country – the Lieutenancy is often asked to conduct local Due Diligence checks in support of the process. The nomination is then sent to the main honours committee, which is chaired by the Secretary of the Cabinet. Names, with the recommended level of honour, are then put forward to The King.

 

All nominations for honours are treated in the strictest confidence. It’s really important that the person being nominated should not be told as it wouldn’t be fair to raise expectations in case they are not met: about 1,100 honours are awarded on each occasion, twice a year, and there are many thousands of nominations received, so competition is stiff.

How Long Does It Take

 

between nomination and an honour being given?

 

Honours Lists are published in the New Year and on His Majesty’s Birthday.

You can check published Lists (in the national newsletters, the London Gazette or on the honours website) to see if your candidate has been successful.

If, after three years, you have heard nothing you can usually assume that the nomination has been unsuccessful and has lapsed. However on occasions they can take longer than this.

You can re-nominate, but this is not likely to be successful unless the person you have nominated has had additional achievements.

Making a Nomination

So, how do I make a nomination?

 

It’s quite simple. You can make a nomination on line or in writing. If you click on the link below it will take you straight to the website where you can find full details of the honours system, all the forms, and a step by step guide: https://www.gov.uk/honours

 

You can also write for information and a form to:

Honours and Appointments Secretariat, Cabinet Office, Ground Floor, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ.
Tel: (020) 7276 2777
Email: [email protected]

Making a Nomination

 

Are letters of support required?

 

Yes. At least two letters of support are expected and should be from others who have personal knowledge of the candidate.

Ask for letters that:

 

  • Confirm that the person is doing what they are being nominated for
  • Confirm that an Honour would be supported by the community
  • Describe recent achievements
  • Describe the impact that the person has had; for impact, consider what wouldn’t exist or happen without your candidate’s input and whether what they have done is voluntary or in a paid capacity

Making a nomination

 

When must nominations be sent in?

 

There are no deadlines for nomination forms but the process is likely to take at least 12 to 18 months.

Nominations should be made while the candidate is still active and, if possible, at least 12 months before he or she is expected to retire or stand down.

Are there any

“Top Tips” when making a nomination?

 

In the end, it is the quality of the case that will determine if a nomination is successful. There is some excellent guidance on how to write a good nomination, including some examples, if you follow the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/honours-how-to-write-citations

Making a nomination

 

Do please consider taking just a little time to nominate someone if you believe they deserve recognition. The process is easy to do and can be a really wonderful way of marking the contribution someone has made. The Lieutenancy Office can help with further advice if you would like it.

Recent Awards

 

 

His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours in Devon 2024 

 

Dames Commanders of the Order of the British Empire

Professor Judith Irene PETTS CBE – Vice-Chancellor, University of Plymouth. For services to Higher Education and to Sustainability

 

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) 

Mark Peter Louden DOWIE – Chief Executive, Royal National Lifeboat Institution. For services to Maritime Safety

 

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Carol BOYS – Chief Executive Officer, Down’s Syndrome Association. For services to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and to Research

Moira MARDER DL – Chief Executive Officer, Ted Wragg Trust. For services to Education

 

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Professor Angus ATKINSON – Senior Marine Ecologist, Plymouth Marine Laboratory. For services to Polar Marine Research and Conservation

Louise KELLEY – Holiday and Food Insecurity Lead, Plymouth Council, Devon. For services to Health and Wellbeing

Alexander Peter WALMSLEY – Chair of Trustees, The First Federation Trust, Newton Abbot, Devon. For services to Education

Paul James WHITELEY – For services to the community in Plymouth, Devon

Michael Charles WILLIAMS – Wetland Habitat Restoration Specialist, Environmental Agency. For services to Conservation and to Natural Flood Management

 

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

Sheila Ann CHOLWILL – For services to Charity and to the community in Bridgerule, Devon

Pamela Jean DOEL (Sam DOEL) – Volunteer, NSPCC. For services to Charity and to Young People

Neil George PARSONS – Boxing Coach. For services to Sport

Anne Elizabeth RADCLIFFE – For services to the community in Otterton, Devon

Jonathan Peter TURNER – Member and Bird Ringer, British Trust for Ornithology. For services to Conservation

 

 

His Majesty The King’s New Years Honours in Devon 2024 

 

Knighthood

Sir Tim MARTIN – The founder and chair of Wetherspoons. For services to hospitality and culture.

 

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Catherine Jane Uttley DOVEY CBE – The co-founder of the Beacon Collaborative and director of the Rosa Fund. For services to philanthropy, to women and girls, to the arts and to the Tiverton economy.

Prof Penelope Clare ENDERSBY CBE – Chief executive of the Met Office. For services to meteorology, defence science and technology.

John Mark YALLOP CBE – From the Financial Markets Standards Board. For services to the financial sector and and to charity.

 

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Sarah Jane CRESSALL OBE – Founder and chief executive of the Creation Station. For services to creativity in education, entertainment and business.

Amy Louise DONCASTER OBE – Deputy director of strategy and future design at the Department for Work and Pensions. For public service. 

Col (Rtd) Brian Mark GORSKI OBE – For services to museums.

 

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Prof Peter Alister STOTT MBE – Deputy head of climate science and science fellow at the Met Office. For services to climate science.

 

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

Hayley WATSON BEM – For services to the community, particularly during Covid-19.

Terence GERRY BEM – Has led the Plymouth Area Police Choir since 1986. For services to the community. 

Jacqueline Ann HENDRA BEM – For services to people with disabilities.

Shelley Jane COLEMAN BEM – Founder of the Plymouth Ladies Charity. For services to the community.

Ann Doreen May DOODY BEM – For services to the community.

Ian John BARNABY BEM – For voluntary services to the RNLI for his work as crew and navigator at Torbay Lifeboat Station.

Ian Robert SKINNER BEM – For services to the community.

Gwendoline May KINGDON BEM – For services to the community.

Cheryl Barbara SMITH BEM – For services to young people. 

John Gabriel MONAGHAN BEM – Founder of Fire Aid Nepal. For services to emergency and disaster response and to communities in Nepal.

 

 

His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours in Devon 2023 

 

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) 

Dr Peta Jane Dunckley FOXALL – Lately Chair, The Wildlife Trusts. For services to Nature Conservation

 

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Julia Elizabeth ADAMSON – Managing Director, Education and Public Benefit, BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. For services to Education

Professor Pascale Veronique AEBISCHER – Professor, Shakespeare and Early Modern Performance Studies, University of Exeter. For services to Economic and Societal Resilience during Covid-19

Vivienne Patricia BAKER – Foster Carer, Plymouth City Council. For services to Children

David Alfred BAKER – Foster Carer, Plymouth City Council. For services to Children

Susannah Jane BAKER – Co-Founder, The Pickwell Foundation. For services to Ukrainian Refugees

Marjorie Elaine BAYLIS – Deputy Regional Chair, Membership, Conservative Party South West. For Political Service

Sara Louise COX – Referee. For services to Rugby Union

Sarah Mary JAMES – Director, Craft Festival. For services to Craft

Dennis John MARDON – Chair, Citizens Advice Exeter. For services to Vulnerable People in Exeter, Devon

Gail Fiona PIRKIS – Co-Founder and Editor, Slightly Foxed. For services to Literature

Dr Shubha PLATT (SHUBHA SATHYENDRANATH) – Merit Scientist, Remote Sensing, Plymouth Marine Laboratory. For services to Oceanography

Patricia Clare SPRUCE (PATRICIA MURPHY) – Associate Director, People Services and Recruitment, Yeovil District Hospital and Somerset NHS Foundation Trusts. For services to the NHS

 

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

Margaret Francis Dorothy BOADELLA – Lately Association Chair, Plymouth Moorview, Conservative Party South West. For Political Service

Jonathan David COVEY – Tree Nursery Manager, Trustee and Treasurer, Moors Trees Charity. For services to the Environment

Thomas Stephen COYLE – War Pension and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme Advocate, RMA – The Royal Marines Charity. For services to Veterans and Serving Members of HM Armed Forces

Lynnette MCELHERON – For services to Vulnerable People and to the community in Newton Abbot, Devon

George STABLES – Boxing Coach and Official. For services to Amateur Boxing in Devon

 

 

His Majesty The King’s New Years Honours in Devon 2023 

 

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) 

Mr Anthony George Edward ROWE OBEChair and Chief Executive, Exeter Chiefs. For services to Rugby Union Football and to the community in Exeter 

Dr Marcus Andrew SAMUELFor services to the Energy Sector 

 

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Dr Ross HEMINGWAYCivilian Medical Practitioner, Commando Training Centre Royal Marines. For services to the Royal Marines 

 

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Ms Pauline Anne BARKERFounder, Devon and Cornwall Wild Swimming. For services to Swimming in South West England 

Ms Julie HAWKERJoint Chief Executive Officer, Cosmic. For services to the Economy 

Dr Keith HISCOCKMarine Biologist. For services to Marine Conservation 

Mr Edward David KERSEYFor services to Young People and to the Bideford Boxing Club, North Devon 

Mr Nicholas John MILLINGTONDirector, Safety Task Force Network Rail. For services to the Railway and to the NHS during Covid-19 

Mr Mark Victor Peter RUSTONInspector, Devon and Cornwall Police. For services to Policing 

Mr Richard Charles Barrington STEVENS DLManaging Director, Go South West. For services to Transport and to the community in Plymouth, Devon 

 

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

Mrs Angela Marie BENNETTFor voluntary service to the community in Plymouth, Devon 

Mrs Andrea Dawn CORRIEWater Safety Campaigner. For services to Water Safety in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames 

Mr Anthony Marc CUSSENFor services to Charity and to the community in Plymouth, Devon 

Mr Mark Clive ESCOTTFor services to Education in South West England 

Miss Kerry Ann JAMESFoster Carer, Plymouth City Council. For services to Fostering 

Reverend Innocent Nathan KIYAGAChair, Devon and Cornwall Community Scrutiny Panel, School Chaplain, St Cuthbert Mayne School and Area Dean, Church of England, Torbay. For services to the community in Devon and Cornwall 

Mrs Alison Jane KOHLERLately Director of Conservation and Communities, Dartmoor National Park. For services to Conservation in Devon 

Mrs Julia Margaret MEREDITHFor services to the community in Budleigh Salterton, Exeter and East Devon 

Ms Zoe Elizabeth SAYERSFor services to the community in Kent during Covid-19 

Mrs Marilyn Jane WHITEHEAD (MARIE WHITEHEAD)For services to the community in Dawlish, Devon 

 

 

Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday Honours in Devon 2022 

 

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Alexis BOWATERFor services to the Safety and Equality of Women 

Ms Claire Elizabeth DORERChief Executive Officer, The National Association of Independent Schools and Non-Maintained Special Schools. For services to Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities 

Dr Helene Theresa HEWITTScience Fellow Ocean Modelling, Meteorological Office. For services to Climate Science 

Mr Thomas Charles RIVETT-CARNACFounding Partner, Global Optimism. For services to Tackling Climate Change  

Mr James TROUTManager, Environment Agency. For services to the Support of Young Scientists with Disabilities and to the Covid-19 Response 

 

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Mr Ian James DONOHUEAssistive Technology Subject Matter Expert, Digital and Technology, Ministry of Justice. For services to Inclusion 

Ms Sara GRIFFITHSFor services to Education 

Ms Jane Margaret JONESHead of Public Affairs, Great Western Railway. For services to the Railway Industry 

Mr Gregory Michael ROWLANDMaster Wheelwright. For services to Heritage Crafts 

Mrs Iris Muriel SUMPTIONWork Coach, Department for Work and Pensions. For services to Vulnerable People 

Mr John Douglas WELLINGHAMFounder, The John Loosemore Centre. For services to Early Music Education 

 

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

Mr Nigel James BROOKSFor services to Musical Theatre and to the Music Industry 

Mr John Stephen BROOKSBANKCo-founder and Secretary, Paignton Town Community Partnership. For services to the community in Devon 

Mr John DALYTeacher, Marland Residential School, Devon. For services to Young People 

Mrs Wendy HEATHMANSchool Administrator, United Schools Federation. For services to Education in Devon 

Mr Colin Charles HURSTCo-founder and Secretary, Paignton Town Community Partnership. For services to the community in Devon 

Miss Charlotte Elizabeth MURRAYDeputy Head of Security and Resilience, Great Western Railway. For services to the Railway Industry during Covid-19 

Lieutenant Commander Carol Ann RASHLEIGHFor services to the community in Plymouth, Devon 

Miss Jaqueline Margaret TUCKERTeam Leader, Environment Agency. For services to the Environment and to Young People

 

 

Her Majesty The Queen’s New Years Honours in Devon 2022

 

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Mr Adrian Charles VINKEN OBE DL – For services to Theatre

 

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Mr Robin William CALEY –  For services to Tax and Pandemic Support

 

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Dr Rhoda ALLISON –  For services to Physiotherapy

Dr Alan Charles COTTON – For services to the Arts in South West England

Mr Reece DUNN – For services to Swimming

Mr Charles Peter Meredith GIRLING – For services to the Housing Sector and to Charity

Mr Karime HASSAN – For services to Local Government

Mrs Janet Belinda LEFLEY – For services to Education

 

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

Jill DIPROSE –  For services to Families of Children with Special Needs in Dawlish, Devon

Miss Clare Louise GOLLOP – For services to Victims of Modern Slavery and to Vulnerable Young People

Ms Emma JONES –  For services to the community in Plymouth during Covid-19

Mr Gerald Victor MILLINGTON – For services to Local History in Devon and Hertfordshire

Mr Brian Stanley SMITH – For services to the community in Newton Abbott, Devon, particularly during Covid-19

Mrs Janet Patricia WEBBER – For services to Women in the International Maritime Sector

Mr Max WOOSEY – For services to Fundraising for the North Devon Hospice during Covid-19