THE rich tapestry of life in Essex today is truly reflected in the list of recipients of national honours published on the occasion of the King’s Birthday 2025. Recognition is shared between individuals whose lives and careers stand as role models for others in the community. Many different contributions are recognised, including in the fields of national defence, local government, business, education, race relations, the emergency services, culture, the environment, sport and local community service.

We note the recognition of Gavin Jones who is made CBE for services to local government. Until lately Chief Executive of Essex County Council, he had previously served as Chief Executive of Swindon Borough Council. Widely acknowledged for his leadership and expertise, he is an advisor to councils elsewhere in the south east and makes a positive difference for people in many walks of life, including as a trustee for charities involved in health, wellbeing and community development.

Meanwhile, for services involving young people, for example:

Rebekah Liyambo, Chief Executive Officer of EKO Trust, is awarded an OBE for services to education. She has been with the Trust since 2016 and has overseen the growth of a high performing academy trust responsible for 10 schools in Essex and elsewhere;

Alex Boucher receives an MBE for services to the gaming industry and entrepreneurship. He is the founder and managing director of Analog and recognised for encouraging and promoting young talent that might otherwise have gone unrecognised;

Richard Titchener receives an MBE. Richard is Chief Executive of the Sea-Change Sailing Trust and captain of the “Blue Mermaid”, a Thames sailing barge based at Maldon. He is recognised for his contribution to sailing and, in particular, his work with young people.

Commenting on the list of recipients, Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, Lord-Lieutenant of Essex, the King’s personal representative in the county, said:

“As a county, we can be justly proud of all the individuals who have received national honours.  Each person in their unique way will have done something exceptional. It is right that they should be recognised in this way.

I would encourage anyone who knows someone, who is making a big difference to others in their community, to nominate them for a national honour and so to seek public recognition at the highest level of their contribution to society.”

The full list of Essex recipients is as follows:

Officers of the Order of the British Empire

Mr Wayne Alan BANTICK

Programme Manager, Defence Equipment and Support. For services to Defence

Ms Deta HEDMAN

For services to Darts and to Charity

Ms Rebekah Jane IIYAMBO

Chief Executive Officer, Eko Trust. For services to Education

Members of the Order of the British Empire

Mrs Linda BELGROVE

Founder and Chair, Essex Retired Police Dogs Fund. For services to Charity

Mr Alex Robert BOUCHER

Founder and Managing Director, Analog. For services to the Gaming Industry and to Entrepreneurship

Mr Matthew CLARE

For services to the community in Saffron Walden, Essex

Mr Frederick John HUDSON

For services to the Arsenal Football Club Community

Mr Muhbeen HUSSAIN

For Political Services to Integration, Cohesion and to British Society

Professor Noor Ul Owase JEELANI

Professor of Paediatric Neurosurgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust. For services to Neurosurgery and Global Child Health

Mr Jeffrey Charles POPE

Writer, Director and Producer. For services to Drama

Mr Richard Donald TITCHENER

Chief Executive Officer, Sea-Change Sailing Trust and Captain, Blue Mermaid. For services to Disadvantaged Young People and to the community in Essex

Mr John Paul WILKINSON

Director of Young People, Volunteer and Business Support, Marine Society and Sea Cadets. For services to Young People

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire

Dr Muhammad AHSAN

Community Safety Officer, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service. For services to the community in Essex

Mrs Patricia May BAKER

For services to the community in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

Mr Paul Raymond COTGROVE     Ms Anna Fiorentini	Founder, Southend-on-Sea Film Festival and Founder, Horror-On-Sea Film Festival. For services to Film and British Film Heritage Founder, Fiorentini4ni Foundation and Anna Fiorentini Performing Arts School.  For services to Young People from Under Privileged Backgrounds

Mr Andrew David GEE

Volunteer, Whoosh Explore Canoe Club. For services to Floating Pennywort Removal

Ms Alison Natalie HARLE

Police Constable, City of London Police. For services to Policing

The Reverend Brian JENNINGS

For services to the community in Walton-on-the-Naze

Mr Peter David KELLY

For services to the community in Shoeburyness, Essex

Mrs Susan Mary MAPP

Special Educational Needs and Disability Co-Educator, Cooks Spinney Primary Academy, Essex. For services to Special Educational Needs

Mrs Gloria Brenda NICHOLS

For services to the community in Chelmsford, Essex

The King’s Police Medal for Distinguished service has been awarded to Keith Baldwin, lately Assistant Chief Constable, Essex Police