The New Year Honours list for 2021, which aims to champion diversity at all levels and recognise people from all backgrounds, was published last week on December 30.
This year, 1,239 candidates were selected to receive an award. Twenty-two of them were from Leicestershire and Rutland.
People from Leicester received CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire), MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire), BEM (British Empire Medal), and OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) titles.
Among them is Melton Mowbray’s Glynis Wright who has received an MBE for her services to female entrepreneurship.
Glynis told The Business Desk: “Receiving the totally unexpected news that I had been awarded an MBE was one of the proudest moments of my life, and nothing can quite prepare you for it. It was so unexpected I thought the email was a spoof and had to phone the Cabinet Office to find out it was in fact real. I feel huge gratitude for whomever thought that I deserved this award enough to nominate me. That is as moving as receiving the award itself.
“When I read that I had received the MBE for advancing the cause of female entrepreneurship I felt even more proud. Those who are close to me know that I fervently believe that more women should consider running their own businesses. Too many women are afraid to take that step compared to their male counterparts. It is singularly the most empowering thing I have ever done in my life and I discovered skills and abilities that had been hidden to me until I took that step. I intend to use the MBE award to amplify that message and to encourage more women down the path of self-determination.”
Founder of the Women's Awards, Sandra Marilyn Barnett-Pollock, received an OBE as part of this year's list. She said: "It’s an incredible honour to receive this acknowledgment and recognition of my contribution and work. I kept re-reading the letter when I received it.
"The work I do is done because this is what I believe to be right. Achieving equality is good for all of us. I’m humbled, honoured and grateful to those who nominated me for a Queen’s Honour. I don’t know who, but I take it as huge encouragement to continue my work in the area of equality for all.”
Another Leicestershire dweller to appear on the list is Asha Rani Day, who has received a BEM for her services to the NHS and to minority ethnic equality during the Covid-19 response.
The nurse, health visitor and clinical team leader from Fleckney told LeicestershireLive: “I feel quite privileged, but I just did what anybody else would have done. I have stepped up and worked a bit harder, but everybody in the NHS has done this year.
“I have never worked so hard in my life, my husband has said that even though I'm working from home, he sees me more when I'm in the office."
Have a scroll through the full list of the 22 people from Leicestershire and Rutland recognised in this year’s Honours list below.
Fayyaz Afzal
Circuit Judge, England and Wales
CBE for services to the Judiciary and to Diversity and Inclusion
Janet Arthur
MBE For services to the community in Smeeton Westerby, Leicestershire
Sandra Marilyn Barnett-Pollock
Director, Open Mind Training and Development
OBE for services to Equality
Lisa Capper
Lately chair of National Deaf Children's Society
MBE For services to Young People
Neil Thomas
Governor, H.M. Prison Stocken
OBE for services to HM Prison and Probation Service, particularly during the Covid-19 Response
Matthew Hampson
Founder, Matt Hampson Foundation
For voluntary and charitable service
Joanna Snow
Matron, Intensive Care Unit, Kettering General Hospital
MBE for services to the NHS and Patients, particularly during the Covid-19 Response
Maya Joshi
BEM for services to the Vulnerable in Leicestershire
Paul Hebborn
British Red Cross Staff Member and volunteer
BEM for services to the Vulnerable in Northamptonshire during the Covid-19 Response
Liz Mills
MBE for services to the community in Market Harborough, particularly during the Covid-19 Response
Harold Moore
Voluntary Founder and Chair, Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People and Co-founder, the Laura Centre
MBE for services to Young People and to Charity in Leicester
John Perry
Band Leader, 1st Ibstock Scout Band
BEM for services to Scouting in Leicestershire
Anjuu Trevedi
Head, Regional Business Engagement, University of Leicester
MBE for services to Business Innovation and to the Economy in Leicestershire
Glynis Wright
Founder and head of practice, Glynis Wright Ltd Solicitors
MBE for services to Female Entrepreneurship
Anand Bhatt
Co-founder of the Aakash Odedra Company
BEM for services to Dance and to the community in Leicester
Aakash Odedra
Co-founder of the Aakash Odedra Company
BEM for services to Dance and to the community in Leicester
Jacqui Darlington
BEM for services to the community in Rutland
Asha Rani Day
Nurse, Health Visitor and Clinical Team Leader; Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
BEM for services to the NHS and to minority ethnic equality during the Covid-19 Response
Yasin Matthew Ross El Ashrafi
Founder, HQ Recording Studio, Leicester
BEM for services to Young People, to Music and to Mentoring
Joyce Harris
BEM for community and voluntary services to Cats in Loughborough
Syedur Rahman
BEM for services to Charity in Leicester
Lucille Weir
Team Leader, Change Grow Live, Peterborough
BEM for services to Vulnerable Women
