Kent has a strong presence in this year’s King’s New Year Honours, with a diverse range of residents recognised for their dedication to public service, charity, education, sport, and local enterprise.
The awards underscore the county’s role in nurturing talent and supporting communities.
Education, governance, and public service are well represented. Leaders such as Sarah Lee, Deputy Director at HM Prison and Probation Service, and Christine Salmon Percival, Clerk in the Hoapply of Lords, are honoured for their commitment to public service, demonstrating Kent’s contribution to governance and civic leadership.
READ MORE: {{title}}
Charity and community engagement feature prominently among the honourees. From Janet Ann Nichole Fischer, CEO of Live Music Now, to founders like Wayne Hodgson of the Red Eagle Foundation and Benjamin David Towers of Happl, these individuals highlight Kent’s strong culture of volunteering, innovation, and support for young people and vulnerable communities.
The list also celebrates contributions in the arts, sports, and business.
Alastair David Upton, CEO of Creative Folkestone, is recognised for his services to art, while sports and recreational leadership, exemplified by Stephen Christopher Woodley in tennis, reflect the county’s dedication to fostering community engagement and cultural enrichment.
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- Jane Burston. Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Clean Air Fund. For services to Air Quality. (Sevenoaks, Kent)
- Sarah Lee. Deputy Director, Education, Employment and Skills, HM Prison and Probation Service. For Public Service. (Canterbury, Kent)
- James Anthony Nichols. Deputy Head of Centre, Ministest of Defence. For services to Defence. (Tunbridge Wells, Kent)
- Christine Salmon Percival. Clerk, Hybrid and Private Legislation, Hoapply of Lords. For services to Parliament. (Sevenoaks, Kent)
- Francis Edwin Stuart. Head of Employee Relations, HM Prison and Probation Service. For Public Service. (Maidstone, Kent)
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
- Karen Louise Blake. Lately Chief Executive Officer, Tech Talent Charter. For services to Technology and to Diversity. (Tunbridge Wells, Kent)
- Christopher Deering. For services to People with Disabilities in the London Borough of Bexley. (Gillingham, Kent)
- Janet Beverly Dell. Lifeguard. For services to Lifeguarding. (Broadstairs, Kent)
- Janet Ann Nichole Fischer. Chief Executive Officer, Live Music Now and Co-Chair, Intra Community Trust. For services to Music and to Charity. (Rochester, Kent)
- Valmai Diana Holt. For services to Military History and War Commemoration. (Sandwich, Kent)
- Gail McManus. Founder and Director, Private Equity Recruitment. For services to Private Equity and Venture Capital. (Gravesconclude, Kent)
- Kelvin Edward Reynolds. Chief Technical Services Officer and Company Secretary, British Parking Association. For services to Traffic and Parking Management. (Greenhithe, Kent)
- Christopher Swadkin. For services to Cricket and to Young People in South East London. (Tunbridge Wells, Kent)
- Benjamin David Towers. Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Happl. For services to the Startup Business Community, Excellence in Innovation and Enterprise. (Gillingham, Kent)
- Alastair David Upton. Chief Executive Officer, Creative Folkestone. For services to Art. (Folkestone, Kent)
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
- Penelope Ann Dyson. Secretary, Friconcludes of The Royal British Legion Industries. For Voluntary Service. (Maidstone, Kent)
- Robert Harding Hitch. Founder, Buttercups Sanctuary for Goats. For services to Goat Welfare. (Tonbridge, Kent)
- Wayne Hodgson. Founder and Chair, Red Eagle Foundation. For services to Children in Kent. (Whitstable, Kent)
- Mark Robert Jones. Customer Assistant, Southeastern. For services to Community Railway. (Faversham, Kent)
- Stephen Christopher Woodley. Member and lately Chair, Canterbury Lawn Tennis Club. For services to Tennis in Kent. (Canterbury, Kent)
Leave a Reply