25 Hertfordshire residents were recognised in the King’s first Birthday Honours list, released 16 June, which celebrates the extraordinary contribution and service of people across the UK, with a focus on those who have had a profoundly positive impact on how society faces up to the most challenging issues of the modern era.

Over 1,000 recipients were awarded from across all sectors and regions in the UK, including former Hertfordshire LEP Chair Mark Bretton, who received an MBE for services to Business, the Economy and to Charity, particularly during Covid-19.

Individuals have been recognised for being inspiring entrepreneurs, innovators and philanthropists, or for their role in the provision of high-quality healthcare and education, tackling crime or supporting families to contribute to society, including helping children to achieve their potential.

Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon. Oliver Dowden MP, said: “This year’s honours list is a testament to ordinary people who have demonstrated extraordinary community spirit, and I pay tribute to all those who have been recognised today. Our honours system has long been a way of recognising people who make an incredible contribution to life in Britain and beyond.”

The 25 honourees from Hertfordshire include:

1. Susan Carol Langley, Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire and OBE - Non-Executive Chair, Gallagher UK and lately Lead Non-Executive Director, Home Office. For Public Service and to the Financial Services Industry (Berkhamsted)
2. Elizabeth Mary Nicholl, Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire and CBE - President, World Netball. For services to Sport (Hitchin)
3. Gordon George Welsh, Commander of the Order of the British Empire - Lately Head of Business Group, UK Export Finance. For services to Business (Tring)
4. John Nigel Barnes, Officer of the Order of the British Empire - Chief Executive Officer, Historic Royal Palaces. For services to Heritage (Welwyn Garden City)
5. David Philip Clarke, Officer of the Order of the British Empire - Chief Executive Officer, British Paralympic Association. For services to Paralympic Sport (Harpenden)
6. Dr Kavitha Kishen, Officer of the Order of the British Empire - Deputy Director, Security, Resilience and Strategy, Government Office for Science. For services to National Resilience and Diversity in Government Science and Engineering (St Albans)
7. Jacqueline O'Donovan, Officer of the Order of the British Empire - Managing Director, O'Donovan Waste Disposal. For services to Recycling, to Safety and to Industry (Goffs Oak)
8. Dr Simon Robert Pender, Officer of the Order of the British Empire - Deputy Director, Cabinet Office. For services to National Security
9. Thomas Richard Stephen Peregrine Stuart-Smith, Officer of the Order of the British Empire - Garden and Landscape Designer. For services to Landscape Design (Watford)
10. Kevin Brendan Taylor, Officer of the Order of the British Empire - Chair, Industrial Development Advisory Board. For services to Business and to the Economy (Kings Langley)
11. Mark Julian Bretton, Member of the Order of the British Empire and TD. For services to Business, the Economy and to Charity, particularly during Covid-19 (Hertford)
12. Rosalyn Carol Chalmers, Member of the Order of the British Empire. For services to the Arts and to People with Sensory Impairments (Watford)
13. Frances Elizabeth Davies, Member of the Order of the British Empire - Manager, Totally Different Playscheme. For services to Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs (Watford)
14. Gillian Pearl Eaton, Member of the Order of the British Empire - Director, Sporting Futures Training. For services to Further Education and Skills (Hitchin)
15. Lennox Floyd Nembhard, Member of the Order of the British Empire - Chief Immigration Officer, Home Office. For Public Service and to Diversity (Watford)
16. Rabbi Alan Plancey, Member of the Order of the British Empire - Councillor, Hertsmere Borough Council and Emeritus Rabbi, Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue. For Political and Public Service (Borehamwood)
17. Paul Anthony Roach, Member of the Order of the British Empire - Town Manager, Windsor, Eton and Ascot and Deputy Chair, Ceremonial Events Planning Group, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. For services to the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (Kings Langley)
18. Jane Elizabeth Scott, Member of the Order of the British Empire - Divisional Bereavement Project Lead Midwife, West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and Lead and Founder, National Bereavement Midwives' Forum. For services to Bereaved Parents (Rickmansworth)
19. Colin Richard Woolford, Member of the Order of the British Empire - Strategic Security Director and Counter Terrorism Adviser, City of London Corporation. For services to the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (Buntingford)
20. Colin Noel Garrett, Medal of the Order of the British Empire. For services to Violin Making (Berkhamsted)
21. Patricia Mary Harrison, Medal of the Order of the British Empire. For services to the community in Chipperfield, Hertfordshire, particularly during Covid-19 (Kings Langley)
22. Dr Aruna Mene, Medal of the Order of the British Empire - Artist. For services to Fabric Art, to Charity and to Sustainability (Hatfield)
23. Bryan Frederick Smith, Medal of the Order of the British Empire - Coach. For services to Athletics (Watford)
24. Salomon Jacques Weisser, Medal of the Order of the British Empire. For services to the Jewish Community and to Holocaust Remembrance (Radlett)
25. Anne Wingate, Medal of the Order of the British Empire. For services to Beekeeping (St Albans)