From the 1,149 people who received an award this year in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, there are, as always, some notable inclusions and exclusions.
We look at those from the list who have some Edinburgh connection (and who may well choose to receive their honour at an investiture at Holyrood).
This is a tenuous Edinburgh link, but we think it is one worth noting! Edinburgh-based author Val McDermid’s great friend Professor Sue Black OBE is made a Dame, one of 538 women to be given some kind of honour from OBE to MBE and all those in between.
Professor Black is a forensic anthropologist whose work with police forces throughout the UK has been crucial to securing convictions in a number of high-profile criminal cases. She is Director of the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification at the University of Dundee, where she has been Professor of Anatomy and Anthropology since 2003.
Her department trains the police and scientists in advanced forensic practices, which have been used in numerous criminal cases, for example to successfully combat child sex abuse. She is a Government adviser on disaster victim identification, in which capacity she has made an international contribution through her work in Kosovo (1999), Iraq (2003) and Thailand (2004). A strong communicator, she has done much to raise public awareness of forensic science, particularly through outreach work.
But more importantly she has advised the aforesaid Ms McDermid on many of the grisly details of her novels.
A senior lecturer at Edinburgh Napier University is awarded an MBE.
Dr Anna Campbell, 57, is being honoured for services to research into exercise and cancer survivorship.
For over 16 years, Dr Campbell has researched the physical and psychological benefits of staying active after a cancer diagnosis.
She has put her research into practice, making two exercise DVDs for cancer survivors and setting up the first free community-based exercise programme in the UK.
Anna, an Associate Professor in the University’s School of Life, Sport and Social Sciences, is Director of CanRehab which provides training and education for fitness and health professionals working with cancer survivors in the community.
In addition to publishing her research and establishing best practice, she is also a consultant for Macmillan Cancer Care, assisting in the establishment and evaluation of UK-wide community-based exercise programmes for cancer patients and survivors.
Anna is an invited member of the Breast Cancer Campaign Research Gap Advisory Group, National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Lifestyle & Behaviour Change group and Macmillan Physical Activity & Cancer Advisory Group.
Anna said: “I am incredibly thrilled and honoured to receive this MBE. When I first started working in the area of cancer rehabilitation, most cancer patients were told to stay in bed and rest all the time.
“I have been passionate over the past 16 years about helping to provide and disseminate the evidence that staying active can actually provide many benefits after a cancer diagnosis.
“I have had the privilege of working directly with over 400 cancer patients and survivors to provide the right advice and assistance to help them find the appropriate type of activity to suit their current situation. I love my work so much as I see and hear about the benefits every day! “
Barry Smith and Bonamy Grimes, co-founders of Skyscanner, which is a large Edinburgh employer, have both been awarded MBEs.
Lord Robert Smith who gave his name and effort to the Smith Commission which reported on the powers to be given to Scotland post devolution has been made a Companion of Honour. He was Chair of the Organising Committee of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014, which was not only highly successful but also delivered £37m under-budget.
He then chaired the Smith Commission which was established to agree the transfer of political powers to Scotland from Westminster. In only 9 weeks, the Commission brought together the major political parties and undertook a massive consultation exercise including over 18,000 individual public submissions.
He is Chair of the Green Investment Bank which has supported over 50 infrastructure projects and which is based in London and Edinburgh. He is Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde and has supported numerous charitable organisations in Scotland.
There is also a knighthood for Rt Hon Alexander Fergusson, former MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, former Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament and Rural Affairs spokesperson for the Scottish Conservatives. No he does not live in Edinburgh or work here any more, but he did spend some time here in charge of proceedings at Holyrood.
There is also a knighthood for David Hamilton, former Labour MP for Midlothian.
Mr Hamilton was a former miner, who began his career in politics through a long-standing involvement with the National Union of Mineworkers. He subsequently used his parliamentary career – including as Chair of the Coalfield Communities All-Party Parliamentary Group – to campaign tirelessly for former miners, their families and the communities in which they live. His role in ensuring that miners’ compensation schemes reached all affected and his successful campaigning on industrial injury compensation issues have had particular impact. His commitment to justice and equality for workers has been tireless.
Professor Charles Jeffery who is a professor of politics at University of Edinburgh, John McLeod, composer and conductor and Dr Brian Lang Chair of the RSNO have all been honoured with a CBE.
Mrs Jacqueline Drinkwater who has worked in the field of nursery education and who was national chair of the National Day Nurseries Association Scotland has received an OBE along with Professor David Alexander Syme Fergusson who is a Professor of Divinity at University of Edinburgh. Professor Clifford Hague Emeritus Professor at Heriot Watt University in the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society has received an OBE for services to Planning.
David Hope-Jones Principal officer of the Scottish Malawi Partnership has been given an OBE. Leon Smith Captain of the Davis Cup team has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to tennis.
Dr John Kitchen has received an MBE for services to music and Mrs Linda McClellan has received an MBE for her work at the National Galleries of Scotland in art education.
Joan Melville has worked as personal secretary to the chairman, chief executive and commissioners of the Scottish Law Commission and has received an MBE in recognition. Sylvia Paton has also received an MBE for her work in healthcare and charitable services as PA to the Deputy Director Child and Maternal Health at The Scottish Government.
Muriel Romanes previously the artistic director of Stellar Quines has been recognised with an MBE for her services to Drama, and Dr Martin Smith receives an MBE for his services to Geological Science with British Geological Survey. Professor Pamela Smith also receives an MBE for her services to Nursing Education.
Mrs Flora Walker receives an MBE for her work with British Red Cross as the President of the Lothian Branch.
Mrs Alison Brown who is the co-founder of Beach Wheelchairs in North Berwick receives a British Empire Medal. This is a great initiative and one which is a boon for all those with limited mobility.
Anthony Garn, Garden Supervisor at the Botanics is awarded a British Empire Medal, and Dr Sharon Hannah Senior Lab Manager at University of Edinburgh is also given the BEM.
And then of course I should also mention Rod Stewart on the occasion of his knighthood. He rocked Edinburgh Castle a couple of years back. I have seen him perform a number of times across the UK, and have enjoyed his music for years.
Well done Sir! (and about time too!)
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
