LOCAL residents have been named in the King’s Birthday Honours List.
Among those to receive accolades are Prof Sharon Arkell from Burntwood.
The Dean of the Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing at the University of Wolverhampton will receive an MBE for services to higher education.
Prof Arkell has enjoyed a 27-year career in the education sector, leading on recent initiatives to enhance graduate employment and support widening participation.
She said:
“It was a huge and amazing surprise to receive the award.
“It is incredibly humbling to know that someone has considered the work that I have undertaken within higher education and taken the time to nominate me for such a distinguished title.
“As a former nurse and first-generation university student, I’ve always been passionate about making higher education accessible and meaningful.
“I’m proud to have helped shape a more inclusive and representative healthcare workforce.”
Elsewhere, Alrewas resident Gareth Moss, chair of trustees of the John Taylor Multi-Academy Trust, will be awarded an MBE for services to education.
Other honours see Valerie Neale receive a British Empire Medal for services to the community of Stonnall, while Michael Mellor BEM, co-ordinator of the Miners Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum will be awarded the OBE for services to heritage and to recognition of the mining community.
Kings Bromley’s Diane Swift was also given an OBE for services to education.
She said:
“I was so very touched, humbled and somewhat overwhelmed to receive an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List.
“It is such a privilege to serve alongside others who promote educational opportunity for social justice – something that so many colleagues at The Creative Learning Partnership Trust hold dear and The Open University where I contribute to their primary education programmes.
“Previously I have served on the governing body of The Richard Crosse Primary School in Kings Bromley, a village that I have been proud to call home for over 30 years.
“The award will, I hope, help to illuminate work that I so enjoy contributing to, in particular as a trustee, as well as in relation to teacher education as chair of the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Teacher Education Collective.
“I will continue to seek more opportunities for apprenticeships to be used to support previously underserved colleagues within the education sector.”
The founder of the National Memorial Arboretum’s memorial to Sikhs who served during the world wars has also been awarded an OBE for services to the commemoration of Commonwealth soldiers who served Great Britain.
He said:
“I am humbled and elated to be appointed an OBE.
“It has been the honour of my life to commemorate those from across the Commonwealth who fought during the world wars, so that their memory lives on forevermore.
“The valour of the Sikhs in particular inspired me to join the army reserve, to deploy on operations and fight for my country, and create the memorial.
“My hope is that young people from diverse socio-economic backgrounds like mine are inspired by those who serve, to take a stand for the freedoms we cherish today.”
Cllr Ian Cooper, leader of Staffordshire County Council, paid tribute to those named in the King’s Birthday Honours List.
He said:
“Staffordshire is a county rich in human talent and I am delighted to see residents’ abilities, hard work and achievement recognised in this way.
“Congratulations to each person and to their families – and I would thank them on behalf of the rest of the community for their contribution they have made.”
