The HM Queen’s Birthday honours list for 2022 recognises the achievements of a wide range of extraordinary people and is extra pertinent this year coming just prior to the Platinum Jubilee celebrations this weekend, recognising an extraordinary 70 years’ service to her subjects.

Chief Constable Simon Chesterman (pictured left) has worked in policing for nearly 40 years, serving 23 of those at Thames Valley Police before moving to West Mercia as deputy chief constable. He joined the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) in January 2014 as deputy chief constable and was promoted to chief constable on 1 April 2019. As chief constable he is responsible for overseeing the 1,600 strong constabulary, responsible for operational performance of the CNC, the Accounting Officer for the Civil Nuclear Police Authority and the CNC, and improves, develops and maintains effective strategic partnerships with the Civil Nuclear Police Authority (CNPA), site license companies, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (Civil Nuclear Security), Home Office and Police Scotland forces and the Ministry of Defence Police. In 2012 he was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal.

Simon has been the National Police Chief’s Council lead for armed policing for nearly 15 years, responsible for national policy and practice.

Supt Tim Needham (pictured right) has over 26 years’ service with the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and has previous service in the UK military. He has been an operational firearms officer and is a qualified Tactical Firearms Commander specialising in the command of nuclear material transport escort operations. During Tim’s service he has undertaken operational, intelligence and corporate headquarters roles and was the head of the UK’s Strategic Escort Group where he managed escort operations including the largest ever international shipment. His current role is Divisional Commander for N Division.

Speaking after the announcement Chief Constable Simon Chesterman said: “I am humbled and feel very privileged to have been recognised in Her Majesty’s birthday honours. I would also like to congratulate Tim on his richly deserved QPM.

“I am fortunate to have spent nearly four decades working with so many incredible people across the police service. I have a particular affinity with armed police officers and those that support, train and command them operationally. I am immensely proud of UK armed policing and of the men and women of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and the vital work we do in keeping critical national infrastructure and the general public safe.”

Supt Tim Needham said: “I was completely shocked and speechless to discover I’d been nominated for a Queens Police Medal – in fact, when I received the initial call from the Home Office informing me of the nomination, I was convinced it was an elaborate prank! Once I discovered It wasn’t a prank it took a long time for the news to sink in and for a few days I was walking around in a bit of a daze.

“This is a fantastic honour for the whole of the CNC and gives recognition at the highest level to the specialist work all our officers and staff do, often quietly and without fanfare, protecting the public by safeguarding nuclear material both within the UK and in transit internationally.

“In my time with the CNC I’ve been fortunate to work with, and learn from, some brilliant and dedicated people, many of whom have become good friends. I’ve had the privilege of working closely with many colleagues from within the CNC as well as colleagues from wider policing, the military, other government agencies and from within the nuclear industry across the UK and overseas in a very interesting and varied career. Receiving this award is a reflection on the hard work of all our officers and staff and also on my family who have supported me while I’ve spent lots of time ‘away with work’.

“I’m truly honoured, humbled, and delighted to receive the QPM. It’s been really difficult keeping the award secret for the last few months and I’m now looking forward to celebrating this great news with family and friends.”

Sir Craig Mackay, interim Chair of the CNPA, said: “I am immensely proud of Simon and Tim, who both thoroughly deserve these prodigious awards. Both have dedicated years of service to keeping us safe and they have both made a real and significant contribution to public protection and the safety and security of the UK. Congratulations to them both.”

For full size pictures of both Simon and Tim, please email us

In tribute to The Queen, recipients have been awarded for their outstanding contributions across all sectors, but in particular for sustained public service, the environment and sustainability, and youth engagement.

Joining The Queen with 70 years of public service are recipients Angela Redgrave, founder and Principal of the Bristol School of Dancing, who receives a BEM for services to Dance – and at 104 years old is the oldest person on the List – and 80 year old Patricia Anne Husselbee from Newport for her 64 years of service to the Royal British Legion.

The Jubilee Honours List also recognises the contribution made to youth engagement, as typified by 11 year old twins Elena and Ruben Evans-Guillen, who receive BEMs for raising nearly £50,000 directly for the NHS and NHS-related charities over the past three years, and who are the youngest recipients on the List. Also among the youngest recipients is 22 year old Alex Griffiths, who receives a BEM for supporting carers, having been a young carer himself since the age of 5.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

This historic Platinum Jubilee is not only a celebration of the monarch but of the qualities she possesses. The honours she confers this week reflect many of those qualities that have been invaluable from all different walks of life and to communities across the UK.

I pay tribute to all of this year’s winners. Their stories of courage and compassion are an inspiration to us all.

This List also awards three Companions of Honour – of which there are only 65 recipients at any time – to author Sir Salman Rushdie, for his services to literature; Sir Quentin Blake, for services to his illustration; and Dame Marina Warner, for her services to the humanities.

Global expert in nuclear engineering, Dame Susan Ion, receives a Dame Grand Cross for international impact in her field and for her work fostering the next generation of engineers from under-represented groups.

In environmentalism and climate change, at CBE there is an award for Professor James Durrant, for services to photochemistry and solar energy research; an OBE for Professor John Barrett, Professor of Energy and Climate Policy at the University of Leeds; and at MBE, Dr Richard Tipper for his services to science and the public understanding of climate change.

Journalist and campaigner Alexis Bowater receives an OBE for her work to erect a statue to Nancy Astor in Plymouth on the centenary of her election, her activism on new stalking laws in the UK and her award-winning community interest company, Beach Schools South West, which takes children out of the classroom and onto the beach for curriculum-linked learning.

Awards for Parliamentary and political service are headed by Arlene Foster, the former First Minister of Northern Ireland, who receives a damehood; while Tracey Crouch MP receives a CBE for her work on the Independent Fan Led Review of Football Governance. They are joined by Stuart Parker and Samantha Dixon, Conservative and Labour Councillors in Cheshire who worked together to open Chester’s Storyhouse Theatre.

In sport, former footballer and commentator Rio Ferdinand receives an OBE for his activism and charity work; and an OBE is also awarded to cricketer Moeen Ali. There are also MBEs for the gold-medal winning Beijing Olympic curlers Mili Smith, Victoria Wright, Hailey Duff and Jennifer Dodds with skip Eve Muirhead receiving an OBE; and MBEs for gold-medal winning Beijing Paralympic super-G skier Neil Simpson and his guide (and brother) Andrew Simpson. Welsh International footballer Gareth Bale receives an MBE for services to football and charity, alongside James Milner for the great work his foundation undertakes.

Scottish businessmen James Walker, of the Walkers Shortbread Ltd headquartered in Moray, and Balmoral Group chairman Jimmy Milne, in Aberdeenshire, both received knighthoods for their business and charitable contributions. Damehoods are awarded to Ann Limb, for her role as chair of The Scout Association and the UK Innovation Corridor, and Karen Jones, for services to the business and hospitality sectors.

Ian Rankin receives a knighthood for services to literature and charity and actor Damian Lewis receives a CBE for services to drama and charity for initiating the campaign to raise £1 million to provide food for NHS workers throughout Covid-19. Also, from the Arts sector, an MBE is given to Chila Kumari Burman for her uplifting installations during the pandemic.

As ever, community service is the bulk and backbone of the List, and breadth of service is recognised across the entirety of the UK. There are CBEs for Una Cleminson, Chair of the Royal British Legion, and Lawrie Haynes, Chair of the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund for their support of military veterans; and OBEs for Dr Rupert Whitaker and Martyn Butler, who co-founded the Terrence Higgins Trust, which marks its 40th anniversary this year. There is also an OBE for Dr Raghib Ali, who took leave from his university work and volunteered to return, unpaid, to frontline NHS duties – both at his local hospital and the newly formed Nightingales.

Receiving MBEs are genocide educator Andrew Lawrence; master wheelwright Gregory Rowland, Cotswolds environmental volunteer Rebecca Jones and Angela Chada for her support of young people in NI through Springboard Opportunities. Also receiving an MBE is Douglas Samuel who runs the Spartans Community Football Academy and during COVID-19 transformed the Academy into a food distribution hub.

The honours system strives to be inclusive of all of the UK society.

Of the 1,134 people who receive an award:

• 1,002 candidates have been selected at BEM, MBE and OBE level:
  • 304 at BEM
  • 452 at MBE
  • 246 at OBE
• 673 (59.3%) of the recipients are people who have undertaken outstanding work in their communities either in a voluntary or paid capacity;
• 584 women are recognised in the List, representing 51.5% of the total (44.8%of recipients at CBE level and above are women);
• 13.3% of the successful candidates come from an ethnic minority background:
  •  6.8% of recipients are from an Asian ethnic group;
  • 4.3% of recipients are from a black ethnic group;
  •  1.8% of recipients with a mixed ethnic background;
  •  0.4% of recipients come from another ethnic background;
• 9.3% of the successful candidates are disabled or have a long-term health condition;
• 24.3% of recipients considered themselves to come from a lower socio-economic background; and
• 4.6% of recipients are LGBT.

A number of military personnel have been granted state honours for their work in the Armed Forces.

Promotions in and appointments to the military division of the most honourable order of the Bath.

Promotions in and appointments to the military division of the most excellent order of the British Empire.

Promotions in and appointments to the military division of the most honourable order of the Bath.

Promotions in and appointments to the military division of the most excellent order of the British Empire.

Promotions in and appointments to the military division of the most honourable order of the Bath.

Promotions in and appointments to the military division of the most excellent order of the British Empire.

The Overseas and International Birthday 2022 Honours List published today recognises 122 extraordinary people in a wide range of fields.

• the Queen’s Birthday Honours recognise 122 people for exceptional service to the UK overseas or internationally
• awards recognise extraordinary people across a range of fields
• Professors David MacMillan and Linda Colley are among those recognised for exceptional contributions to science and history respectively

The Overseas and International Birthday 2022 Honours List published today recognises 122 extraordinary people in a wide range of fields. These include contributions made across business, charity, development, the environment, education, foreign policy, health, science and security.

Among those receiving awards this year is the scientist Professor David MacMillan, who receives a Knighthood for his outstanding contribution to chemistry. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry last year for his ground-breaking work on the development of catalysts.

Professor Linda Colley, the widely respected international academic and historian, is awarded a DBE [Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire] for her exceptional contribution to British constitutional history.

Professor David Warrell’s research of deadly tropical diseases, such as snakebite, rabies and severe malaria, have saved the lives of thousands of people around the world. The widely respected researcher is awarded a KCMG [Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George] for his exceptional contribution to tropical medicine.

This year’s awards recognise a number of extraordinary achievements made by British nationals who have helped lead the global fight against climate change, including by supporting the successful UK Presidency of COP26. These include an OBE [Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire] awarded to Helen Clarkson, Chief Executive Officer of Climate Group, for her work on global initiatives to improve energy efficiency and increase the adoption of electric vehicles.

Sir Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Head of the Diplomatic Service, said:

I congratulate everyone receiving an honour and thank them for their hard work and years of service. The UK’s impact around the world depends on exceptional people like those recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours. I am grateful for their outstanding contribution.

Recipients include:

Paul Symington

Lately Chairman of Symington Family Estates and John E Fells & Sons, receives a CMG [Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George] for services to UK and Portugal relations and Social and Environmental Sustainability in the Douro region of Portugal.

Paul Symington is recognised for an exceptional and sustained contribution as the former Managing Director, then Chairman, of Symington Family Estates in the Douro Valley, Portugal. During Mr Symington’s period as Chairman, he and his cousins transformed the company from a medium sized producer into a thriving business, becoming the world’s largest Port wine producer. He and his family also spearheaded an ambitious long-term sustainability strategy, which has seen the company become the largest organic wine producer in the north of Portugal, invest in innovative research and development to adapt to climate change and deliver a 20-year programme of social impact initiatives in the Douro region.

Although recently retired, Mr Symington remains closely connected to his family business and a powerful advocate for the many social and environmental causes that he has championed throughout his career. His principled approach to business and very public attachment to British values have greatly enhanced the UK’s reputation in Portugal.

On learning of his award, Paul Symington said:

I was born less than 100 metres from the Douro river and my family has been dedicated to this great wine region for centuries, so it was with pride that I learnt of this award as I have always striven to enhance the ancient friendship between the UK and Portugal.

Helen Clarkson

Chief Executive Officer, Climate Group, receives an OBE [Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire] for services to tackling climate change and supporting the UK Presidency of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).

Helen Clarkson is recognised for an outstanding and sustained contribution to tackling climate change. She has been the Chief Executive Officer of Climate Group since 2017 and under her leadership Climate Group has driven forward global initiatives that have made significant progress in reducing emissions. A number of these, such as EV100 (members commit to all their vehicles being electric), EP100 (members commit to improved energy efficiency) and RE100 (members commit to sourcing all their energy from renewable sources) directly supported COP26 campaigns and helped to provide a clear way for businesses to implement commitments made. The Under2 Coalition led by Climate Group, which comprises state and regional governments representing 50% of global GDP, also increased its ambition adopting a new net zero commitment.

She was a key partner for COP26 in driving climate change commitments from businesses and other non-state actors and providing a major focus for 2 of the 5 COP26 campaigns in particular: clean transport and power.

On learning of her award, Helen Clarkson said:

I’m honoured to have been given this award, which recognises not just my work but all of the team members at Climate Group, who are working hard to accelerate climate action. In 2021 there was a lot of progress and it’s great for that to be recognised, but there’s still so much more to do to deliver the change that’s needed – and we’ll certainly keep pushing.

Heather Muntaner

Lately Head teacher, Queen’s College, Mallorca, Spain, receives an MBE [Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire] for services to the promotion of British Education, Language and Culture in Spain.

Heather Muntaner, Head teacher of Queen’s College in Mallorca for over 3 decades is recognised for her exceptional contribution to the promotion of British education, language and culture in Spain. Under her leadership the school grew and developed into one of the most outstanding schools in the Balearic Islands, offering a high quality British education in Spain to both British and International students.

In addition to her role as Head teacher, Mrs Muntaner was a member of the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS) inspection service where she served for 20 years as a school inspector. For almost a decade she made a significant and entirely voluntary contribution to the NABSS Executive Committee, initially as secretary and later as a member of the inspection Monitoring Committee. Her dedication and commitment over many years has positively impacted the delivery of high quality British education, not just in Mallorca but across Spain.

On learning of her award, Heather Muntaner said:

I am truly honoured and very happy to receive this award. Working in a British school in Spain with children and young people of all nationalities and languages has been a most gratifying experience, as has the privilege of working with the National Association of British schools in Spain, an association committed to British education and to the development and high standards of all its member schools. An award is not achieved by one person alone, but by teams working together, so I would like to share this honour with all those colleagues and team members, past and present, who have worked with and supported me. Many thanks!

Pauline Webber

Retired Teacher and Founder, The Nick Webber Trust, receives a BEM [British Empire Medal] for services to Charity, to Education and to Justice in Malawi.

Pauline Webber is recognised for an outstanding contribution to charity, education and justice in Malawi through her work as the Founder of the Nick Webber Trust. Pauline, and her children, set up the Trust in memory of her son, Nick Webber, who died tragically in a car accident at the age of 28 while working in Malawi as a volunteer lawyer. Her aim was for the Trust to continue the work that her son was doing by supporting some of Malawi’s poorest and most-marginalised people through funding projects in education, healthcare and community support, as well as access to justice.

The charity that she founded, and still chairs, has provided the funding for many such projects including over 40 bursaries for secondary education, bursaries for law undergraduates committed to legal aid work, and a safe house for survivors of domestic abuse.

On learning of her award, Pauline Webber said:

I am surprised but delighted to accept this award on behalf of all who support Nick Webber Trust in so many ways, and dedicate it to the memory of my beloved late son, Nick.