Unsung heroes in the Black Country and Staffordshire named in New Year's Honours
From helping the homeless to improving diversity – meet the local community heroes named in the New Year’s Honours list.
The Queen’s New Year honours lists recognise the incredible achievements and service of people across the whole of the UK.
And this year a number of people in the Black Country and Staffordshire have been given an award in recognition of their hard work.
Chief Constable Dave Thompson of West Midlands Police has been named a Knights Bachelor for services to policing.
Mr Thompson said: "When I saw the nomination I thought about my grandparents and the lives and opportunities they had. Were they alive they would struggle to imagine that a member of their family only two generations on could have been awarded this honour.
"This has been possible because of the support of my family, specifically my parents, my wife and our children. Like any police family Carole and my girls have made sacrifices for policing.
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"It has also been possible because of policing and the people in it. I owe policing everything.
"A job where every constable can rise to be the Chief Constable. A service full of amazing diverse people who have taught me so much. Everyday officers and staff in this force put themselves at great peril for the public and I am humbled I get to work with you all. Thank you.
"The greatest honour of my life has been to be a police officer and then to be the Chief Constable of the West Midlands Police. Nothing can ever beat this but this is a lovely recognition for policing."
Michael Ernest Braycotton, from Brownhills, was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to policing as part of West Midlands Police.
The 65-year-old is currently the secretary of West Midlands Police’s Disability and Carers Community and has previously served as vice president of the Disabled Police Association. Mr Braycotton was influential in helping the force achieve Disability Confident Leader status in 2018 - the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions.
He said: "I was really surprised by it – totally surprised by it. I had absolutely no indication whatsoever until I got an email from the Cabinet Office through.
"I was awarded it for policing, but I imagine it's for the voluntary work I've been doing with the police service in regards to disability, diversity and inclusion.
"The police service has been slow in picking up nationally, there are still some areas which are less than perfect, but West Midlands Police have been at the forefront.
"We've been pushing at an open door really and the Chief Constable has been positively involved in making the force represent its communities."
Mr Braycotton said he wasn't sure of how or when he would be able to celebrate the win – due to Covid-19 – but said he would wait and see what happened.
Gregory Silvester, who lives in Warstones, Wolverhampton, was awarded a BEM for his services to people with learning disabilities in sport – in recognition of his hard work.
The 44-year-old athlete, who has Down's Syndrome, has helped to raise awareness and transform people's lives through his work as a volunteer, coach and advocate – as well as a trustee for Special Olympics GB.
He has won medals in both gymnastics and table tennis – and has been doing all he can to keep fit with people with learning disabilities throughout lockdown, which he was given an award for.
Mr Silver said: "I feel proud and really happy – a bit tearful too to know I've been awarded this. I'm lucky to have good friends and a great family around me who are extremely supportive and back me 100 per cent.
"I got a call and they informed me that I've been awarded it and it was just incredible. I'm smiling because I didn't think I would get this – or even nominated for this. I'm lucky to have people backing me up and my friends around Warstones have been a real credit to me and themselves.
"I want to thank everyone who has supported me."
Philip Cross, 49, from Bilston, has been awarded an MBE for his work founding Starcross Youth Theatre.
Mr Cross runs the group alongside his wife Belinda and co-founder Mike Klymko – having formed it 27 years ago.
And in that time Philip has produced more than 34 plays with more than 1,000 parts for youngsters.
He runs the group for 15 hours a week, not including planning and admin time, and the children are being prepared and entered for the London Academy for Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA) examinations so that it can be used for credit on applications for university.
The trio run it voluntarily as a not-for-profit organisation and supports thousands of disadvantaged and vulnerable children in Willenhall.
Phillip said: "We founded the youth theatre in 1993. I can't believe it has been 27 years since we started, but I have loved every minute of it.
"We run the company voluntarily and I always say my payment is seeing the enjoyment that the children get from it.
" I am accepting the MBE on behalf of my wife and friend who run it with me. It's very humbling to have been named with everything else that is going on, especially with a lot of people working through hard situations.
"I just hope I can continue to do this for as long as I can and return to shows as soon as it is safe to do so."
Philip has also raised money for charities such as St Giles’ Church by holding carol services with these young people.
For 10 years he has also been governor of Barcroft Primary School in Willenhall and chair of governors for the past four years.
Francis Hodgkinson, 79, from Brownhills in Walsall, has been awarded a British Empire Medal for his commitment to education in Walsall.
He made a selfless contribution to civic life by forming Brownhills Community Association and serving as its director for more than 42 years.
He then helped establish Brownhills Community Association in 1980, which continues to flourish, and he still lends a hand to the committee.
Over time it has provided adult classes, nursery provision and a youth club, community activity clubs, a community theatre, and courses for pupils at risk of school exclusion.
His drive for supporting young people led him to become chairman of governors at Brownhills Comprehensive two years later.
He remained in that role for 25 years, until he became vice-chair in 2005, a position held until his recent retirement.
Francis said: "I was a governor at Brownhills School for 42 years, and was chairman for 25 years of that time.
"I also served 14 years on the Schools Forum, a committee that oversees education in Walsall including head teachers and governors.
"I kept this up until I retired in March 2020. I am absolutely delighted and very honoured to have been named."
Retired Major Robert Cross, from Rugeley, has been awarded an MBE for services to the Gurkha veterans.
The 78-year-old has been dedicated to supporting the welfare of Gurkhas since his retirement as an officer of the Queen’s Gurkha Royal Engineers.
He worked to have a Nepalese Chautara as a memorial to Gurkha soldiers at the National Memorial Arboretum, as well as organising regular commemorative services..
He liaised with the arboretum staff over the arrangements for three major ceremonies, including dedications by Hindu, Buddhist and Christian priests, a public ceremony, and the high-profile formal opening by HRH The Princess Royal in 2014.
He said: "This award is a lovely recognition of a lot of work by myself, my wife and people who have supported the Gurkha Welfare Trust.
"It’s recognition of a lot of work by myself and my late wife Margaret and while my name will go on the medal, my wife also dedicated a lot of time to this cause.
"I would like to offer a huge thank you to everyone who has supported a very worthy cause."
Major Cross has raised more than £109,000 for the Gurkha Welfare Trust in his capacity as branch chairman of the North Midlands Branch.
Khakan Munir Qureshi, from Wednesbury, has been awarded a BEM for services to LGBT equality.
The 51-year-old has been a leader in the LGBT community as the founder of Birmingham South Asians LGBT, a multi-faith group for South Asian LGBT+ men and women.
Khakan also organised the first LGBTIQ-plus Intersectionality and Islam conference, hoping to inspire and empower LGBTIQ+ Muslims to accept themselves and create an environment for open dialogue in the community.
He also writes articles about intersectionality, discrimination and prejudice for several of the largest digital online LGBT+ magazines in Europe, including Gay Star News, Attitude, FS Magazine and publications which are of interest to the South Asian diaspora.
He is a Stonewall LGBT Schools Role Model, where he has spoken to more than 2,000 pupils, and a Diversity Role Model, engaging in public speaking events across the UK.
He said: "I feel this award is for everyone within our community as to have someone who identifies as Muslim and gay can help people who may be closeted to know we do exist and we’re very proud to exist.
"I think having this award highlights the fact that we can all achieve and be successes in our own rights."
Balbir Seimar, from Walsall, has been awarded a BEM for services to the homeless and to the community in Walsall.
The 63-year-old has devoted her time to the three causes of homelessness, reducing crime and the environment.
She leads the women’s group which provides weekly food and chat to homeless people in the community and sits on Walsall Police Strategic Community Reference Group (SCRG) helping to ensure the local community is represented and supported.
She is also a Stand by Me Ambassador whereby she promotes the reporting of hate crime by supporting and encouraging people to come forward.
She also plays a key role in an organisation called Walsall Against Single Use Plastic (WASUP), organising 20 regular canal clear-ups which pick up litter and improve the environment for the community.
She said: "I feel honoured and humbled to receive this award and I thank the people who I work with who have inspired me to go that little bit further for them.
"The people I help are among the most wonderful people you’ll ever meet and it energises me to carry on and help improve their quality of life."
Liz Corrigan has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to nursing during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 47-year-old, who lives in the East Park area of Wolverhampton, is the general practice nurse (GPN) lead at the Black Country and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs).
Liz leads the work around general practice nursing across the region and has developed the GPN strategy for local GP nurses. She has been instrumental in developing staff swabbing hubs – and ensured policies and procedures were in place to support that.
During the pandemic, she was instrumental in setting up and running a drive-through swabbing facility for NHS staff.
She said: "My role is supporting nurses in general practice across the whole of the Black Country and West Birmingham. There's training and development, and professional issues. It's encouraging nurses to see general practice as an option for them.
"My role has changed during the pandemic. Funnily enough this time last year I said I wanted to do more clinical work and certainly I have had that wish this year. I have been doing my normal role, but I have also done clinical work. I have been working with colleagues at the Wolverhampton CCG on the Covid swabbing hub – we ran a drive-through hub from April to August and then it changed to a walk-in swabbing hub during the autumn. It provided swabbing to NHS staff members and also social care staff.
"I have also been working to support practices around quality issues for their vaccine programmes as well. Make sure people have the right advice around training and things they need to support them to run their vaccine programme.
"I was really, really shocked when I found out about the BEM. It was a real surprise, I had to re-read the email about four times, I couldn't believe it. I am delighted – it's really surreal.
"I see this award as very much a team effort. I couldn't have done any of the work I have done without the team I have behind me. I'm accepting it on behalf of the team. In the NHS, you don't work on your own – it's a team effort.
"I hope soon I can celebrate properly with my colleagues as I just want to thank them. I will celebrate at home with my family."
Haroon Mahmood has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM), for his services to the community in the West Midlands, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Known as Harry to his friends and family, the 34-year-old lives in Coventry but works as a relief manager for Wells Pharmacy in Darlaston.
When the pandemic hit and the national lockdown was imposed, Harry ensured that all those who were unable to leave their homes received their prescriptions. He made deliveries in his off hours, before and after work, and during his lunch break – alongside his 40 hour working week at the pharmacy.
He said: "I received a British Citizens Award back in 2019 and I wanted to do more after that accolade. When Covid really landed our workload in the pharmacy increased massively, although doctors were still working there were no face-to-face appointments which was a huge problem.
"I tried to help people best I could. We had many, many patients who are elderly so we created a list of vulnerable patients to make sure they were ok, we know a lot of them live on their own. Our delivery service is limited so I knew we had to make a vulnerable list and make sure those people were caught up on to make sure they were not short.
Prior to Covid-19, Harry has also supported underprivileged children with academic assistance and mentoring weekly on Sundays. When schools were closed and e-learning was introduced, he created a Zoom conference and online support group to ensure those children received the support they needed.
Harry added: "I turned 34 on December 4 and that's when the email dropped to say I had been awarded a BEM. I couldn't believe it when I saw the email – it was a nice birthday surprise.
"I'm just one person in this huge jigsaw and the community of Darlaston and the community I work with, especially my colleagues, they all do a great job. I might have the name on the accolade but it is for everyone. I am very proud of the team I work with."
Paul Jonathan Morris, from Rugeley, was awarded an MBE for services to exports. He is the founder and chief executive officer of Addmaster UK Ltd.
He has made an MBE for his firm’s services to export and championing the UK’s manufacturing capabilities to clients throughout the world.
Under his leadership, the company’s performance-enhancing additives are being used to give products and touch points greater hygienic protection against the spread of bacteria and viruses, with a client base featuring Asda, Dulux, Dyson, M&S and hundreds of hospitals and healthcare facilities.
The last 12 months has been its best yet, with sales up over 60 per cent as the impact of Covid-19 is making customers and their consumers more conscious about improved hygiene.
“When I first received the email from the Cabinet Office to tell me about the MBE I thought it was spam and only realised it was real when an online search revealed that Covid restrictions meant notifications were being sent to winners virtually,” said Paul, who set up the business after borrowing £5,000 off his grandmother 21 years ago.
“I am tremendously proud and honoured to win this award, but for me it is a real testament to the hard work and innovation of the team at Addmaster. What we’ve achieved from a standing start and being new boys in a complex sector has been phenomenal and we’ll use the MBE, alongside our third Queen’s Award, to grow our market share across the world.” Addmaster, with its sales, technical and R&D facility based in Stafford, supplies customers in 55 countries through its expanding distributor network.
Its Biomaster technology, in particular, has been in high demand and has been adopted by everyone from toy makers, paper producers, on shopping trolleys and the aviation sector to prevent bacteria/viruses growing on airport trays and aircraft interiors.
In a recent development, the technology has also completed extensive testing and has been found to be active against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.
Dr Richard Harling, director of health and care for Staffordshire County Council, received an MBE for services to public health and adult social care – particularly during the Covid-19 response.
Dr Harling said: "I’m delighted to be recognised today, and this is about recognition for everyone at the county council and our public sector partners who have worked so hard throughout the last nine months to respond to the Covid pandemic. This has been an incredibly difficult year for everyone, so I’d like to thank colleagues for their continued work and dedication."
Brian Roberts, from Stafford, was awarded an OBE for his services to Local Government and to public service finance. He is the finance commissioner for the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Joseph Garcia, from Lichfield, was awarded an MBE for his services to emergency response – particularly during the Covid-19 fight – as director of operations at South East Coast Ambulance Trust.
Dr Nigel John Tringham, from Stafford, was awarded an MBE for services to local history. He is the former county editor of the Victoria County House of Staffordshire.
Maureen Elizabeth Recine, from Stone, was awarded a BEM for voluntary services to young people through Girlguiding UK and to charity in Staffordshire.
Gladys Mary Turnbull, from Cannock, received a BEM for services to sport and the community in Wolverhampton as a coach of Whitmore Netball Club.
Brendan Peter Connor, who is the chairman of the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, has been awarded an OBE for voluntary and charitable services to the community in the West Midlands.
Christine Ann Hill, from Stourbridge, has been awarded an OBE for services to children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). She is the headteacher at Westminster School in Rowley Regis.
Star Academies executive principal Asiyah Ravat, from Walsall, has been awarded an OBE for services to education in Birmingham.
Dr Anand John Chitnis, from Sutton Coldfield, was awarded an MBE for services to the NHS, mental health and disabilities for his work as a GP at The Castle Practice in Birmingham.
Rachel Jacqueline Davis, headteacher at Little Sutton School and from Sutton Coldfield, was awarded an MBE for services to education.
Lee Alexander Fletcher, director of extended services at Tudor Grange Academy and from Sutton Coldfield, was awarded an MBE for services to Education in Birmingham.
Dr Paul Harrison, clinical director of Black Country Pathology Services and from Stourbridge, was awarded an MBE for services to pathology in the West Midlands – particularly during the Covid-19 response.
Dr Harrison said: "It is honour to receive such a prestigious award. I was really surprised and delighted to find out.
"It has been a very busy but rewarding two and a half years leading the pathology services and during that time we have seen a huge amount of changes.
"With these improvements it has meant we have managed to cope better with the challenges Covid-19 has brought and we now deliver a better service for our patients.
"However we could not have made these improvements and be where we are today without the incredible team I represent. They work extremely hard processing test results for tens of thousands of patients each year and form a vital part of the healthcare workforce. It is a privilege to work alongside them."
Kevin Robert Ingram, from Kingswinford, was awarded an MBE for charitable and voluntary services in Solihull.
Janet Olwen Lear, founder and headteacher of Black Country Wheels School and from Halesowen, was awarded an MBE for services to education in the West Midlands.
Haleema Yousaf, team leader of the Fair Access, Exclusion and Reintegration Team at Sandwell Council, was awarded an MBE for services to children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
She said: "They say no woman is an island and my achievement in steadying and reducing exclusions has come out of the meaningful and trusting partnerships I have developed, with schools at the core, together with dedicated team members and a wider support service to lean on.
"I am humbled to be accepting this award on behalf of everyone who has contributed to the success of the team. It is truly our achievement."
Karen Christina Eccleston, from Darlaston, was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the community of Darlaston.
Louise Hadley, section manager at Marks & Spencer and from Stourbridge, was awarded a BEM for services to customers and the community in Harborne, Birmingham, during the Covid-19 response.
Joanne Jackson, from Wolverhampton, was awarded a BEM for voluntary service to young people in Wolverhampton through Girlguiding UK.
Steven Kapur, founder of Indian Music Academy and from Sutton Coldfield, was awarded a BEM for services to music and to young people.
David Charles Pitt, crew commander for West Midlands Fire Service, was awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal.
Keith Rowland Prior, national director of National Ambulance Resilience Unit (NARU) hosted by the West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust, was awarded the Queen's Ambulance Service Medal.
Honours are all in the Line of Duty for writer Mercurio
One of British television’s leading writers, Jed Mercurio is responsible for some of the most-watched dramas of recent years.
Now the writer and producer, who grew up in Cannock and is behind hits including Line of Duty and Bodyguard, has been made an OBE in the New Year Honours for services to television drama.
Born Gerald Gary Mercurio in Nelson, Lancashire, the 54-year-old is a former hospital doctor, who trained at the University of Birmingham and worked as a junior doctor at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton.
He began a career in TV drama when he stumbled across an advert in the British Medical Journal from a production company interested in developing a TV medical drama. The company was Tony Garnett’s World Productions and the drama went on to become Cardiac Arrest, starring Helen Baxendale and Andrew Lancel, which launched in 1994.
The series sparked controversy due to its realistic depiction of hospital life, topping a poll of UK medical professionals as the most realistic medical drama of all time.
Mercurio left medicine behind but his medical background has continued to influence his writing, with his series Bodies (adapted from Mercurio’s first novel) starring Max Beesley, and Critical, starring Lennie James, both set inside hospitals. ut it was Line Of Duty, which began on the BBC in 2012, which propelled Mercurio to household name status. The series, following the investigations of police anti-corruption unit AC-12, has been a huge hit and attracted guest stars including Keeley Hawes, Thandie Newton and Stephen Graham. Its viewership grew over time and the show was moved from BBC Two to a prime slot on BBC One for its fourth series. But even the success of Line Of Duty paled in comparison to the juggernaut that was Bodyguard, starring Richard Madden as the police officer assigned to protect the Home Secretary, played by Hawes.
The 2018 show became the most-watched drama series of the decade, with the finale drawing a TV audience of 14.3 million. It was also a hit in the US and landed Mercurio two Emmy nominations.
The sixth series of Line Of Duty, which was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic, has finished filming in Northern Ireland and is due to air next year. It stars Kelly Macdonald as a senior investigating officer on an unsolved murder case.
