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THE PRINCIPAL of Reading’s New Directions College is among 130 people from across the southeast to have been cited in the King’s birthday honours list.
Among those recognised are a Wokingham professor who has had a hand in GPS systems, a University of Reading professor, and a Woodley woman who works in children’s social care.
In all, 13% of those receiving honours come from the southeast.
The Cabinet Office said the focus of this year’s list is those who have initiated a substantial change where it was needed and developed innovative solutions that have had an immeasurable impact on the lives of thousands of people across the country.
Many are active community champions, innovative social entrepreneurs, pioneering scientists, passionate health workers and dedicated volunteers who have gone the extra mile.
Andrea Wood’s MBE recognises her work to lead changes to New Directions in the wake of the covid pandemic, and the cost of living crisis.
It now helps 1,600 adults, and seen growth in its apprenticeship programme, working with a range of local authorities including Southampton City Council, Sandwell Council and Reading’s homelessness prevention charity Launchpad.
She told Reading Today: “I was very surprised when I got the letter. I had been waiting for an invitation to a garden party at Buckingham Palace, and when the envelope came I thought that’s what it was.
“When I opened it I was shocked and went weak at the knees. Then I thought it was a joke, but it wasn’t.”
She continued: “I am thrilled and delighted to be recognised in this way, it is a complete honour.”
And Ms Wood said she couldn’t have helped New Directions go in new directions without the support of her team.
“I am incredibly proud of the team that works with me; I can’t do this single-handed.
“New Directions provides such a good service for the local community.”
Among those receiving a CBE are:
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Professor Washington Ochieng heads up the department of civil environmental engineering, and chair professor in positing and navigation systems at Imperial College, London. The Wokingham man was awarded his honour for services to global positioning and navigation systems.
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Bracknell-based Leigh Middleton is the CEO of the National Youth Agency, and was awarded the honour for services to young people.
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Rachel Wardell, who lives in Woodley, was awarded the honour for her services to children’s social care. She is the executive director of Children, Families and Lifelong Learning at Surrey County Council.
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Hugh Oliver-Bellasis, the vice-president of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, lives in Tadley, and was awarded the CBE for services to nature conservation and to the rural community.
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The University of Reading’s Emerita Professor of Education, Professor Rhona Stainthorp, was awarded the CBE for services to education.
An oncology nurse at the Royal Berkshire Hospital with 30 years’ experience has been awarded an MBE.
Mark Foulkes (60) set up the acute oncology service that helps patients be seen at any hospital in the area on a 24/7 basis 365 days a year.
As a Macmillan cancer charity advocate, he was the original pilot for a project on holistic needs, and he also helped the RBH set up the Cancer Patient Partnership, which lets patients have a say in how the centre is run.
He was a Pride of Reading Awards winner in 2016, and has recently stepped down from the role of president of the UK Oncology Nursing Society.
Other MBE winners include Reading-based Thomas Bastin, the head of the International Energy Institutions Team, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. His award was for services to energy security, affordability and accessibility.
Dr Godfrey Jacobs, from Reading, received his award for road safety. He is an associate member of the Transport Research Laboratory.
Elizabeth Pemberton-Mitchell is a singer from Henley who received her honour for services to music and charity.
The Cabinet Office says anyone can nominate someone for an honour, with details available at: https://www.gov.uk/honours
