Britain’s tourism and hospitality industries, as well as staff at a tourist information centre, attractions, events and in the heritage and museums sectors, have been recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours list.For national tourism agency, VisitBritain, two of its board members and one of its directors are honoured.

Christopher Rodrigues, chairman of VisitBritain, says: “I’m delighted that colleagues have been honoured in the list, alongside a number of people who make great contributions in support of the tourism industry and its attractions. These achievements recognise the importance of a sector that supports millions of jobs and brings more than £85 billion to businesses throughout the UK.”

 

After receiving an OBE in 1996, Moir Lockhead, chief executive of First Group, receives a Knighthood for services to transport. He was appointed to VisitBritain’s board in July 2005. Chief executive of the Whitbread Group and serving on VisitBritain’s board since April 2003, Alan Parker receives a CBE for services to the hospitality industry. His career has spanned positions at some of Britain’s well-known accommodation brands including Marriott, Travel Inn and Holiday Inn.

 

Other CBEs were awarded to Andrew Coppel, chairman of Tourism Ireland; Duncan Robinson DL, former director of the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge; and the founder and chief executive of the national cycle network Sustrans, John Grimshaw, MBE.

 

OBEs (Order of the British Empire) were awarded to:

The Reverend Peter Beacham, heritage protection director of English Heritage; Dr Roger Bland, head of the department of portable antiquities and treasure at the British Museum; Professor Richard Fawcett, principal inspector for Historic Scotland; and to Ian Gordon for services to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

 

MBEs (Member of the Order of the British Empire) were awarded to:

Sandie Dawe, VisitBritain’s director of Strategy and Communications gains an MBE for services to the tourist industry after a career that includes positions at the Book Marketing Council, the English Tourist Board and the London Tourist Board. Brian Summers, chair of Tourism West Midlands and Jane Fry, manager of Salisbury Tourist Information Centre are also honoured.

 

Attractions also featured in the list. Charles Hutton, senior steward at Edinburgh Castle; Gordon Lawrence, assistant project manager on the HMS Victory Project; Dr Robert Bearman from the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust; Jillian Evans from the National Video Archive of Performance at Victoria and Albert Museum Theatre Collections; and James Brown for services to Scottish Heritage the Highland Games, all received MBEs.

 

Bernard Llewellyn, Ronald Simison and the Killyhevlin Hotel’s Rodney Watson were recognised for their service to the tourist industry in Wales, Orkney and Northern Ireland respectively, and John Metcalfe for his voluntary service to Dorchester Abbey.
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