New Year Honours 2023 – Arise Sir Sandy

Edinburgh author, Alexander McCall Smith,CBE,FRSE, has been knighted in His Majesty’s New Year Honours 2023, one of 109 people in Scotland who have been recognised.

McCall Smith was born in Zimbabwe and was formerly a Professor of Medical Law at the University of Edinburgh, and now an Emeritus Professor at the School of Law. He left his academic career behind to become a prolific author, principally of the Mma Ramotswe books, The No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.

Sir Alexander also received the prestigious Edinburgh Award in 2021.

The First Minister, Humza Yousaf, said: “Those recognised in the New Year’s Honours list have made exceptional contributions to communities across Scotland and beyond. These Honours are particularly important in light of the ‘giving’ theme and it is clear that all of the worthy recipients have given so much.

“The service and dedication of these individuals – from the arts, education and sport to business, charity, community cohesion and science – has benefited people across communities and promoted Scotland around the world.

“I congratulate those members of Scotland’s blue-light services who have been awarded The King’s Fire, Police or Ambulance Service Medals. Our emergency services display incredible fortitude daily and deserve our continued appreciation for keeping people and communities across Scotland safe, every day of the year.” 

Kenneth Thomson who was Director General, Scottish Government has become a Companion of the Order of the Bath for Public Service.

Among those receiving the CBE are Professor Peter Hollingsworth, the Director of Science and Deputy Keeper of Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden, recognising his services to botanical science, and Gayle Gorman, the former Chief Executive of Education Scotland for services to education and charity.

• Angela Leitch who was until recently Chief Executive of Public Health Scotland has received a CBE for services to Public Health in Scotland.
• Liz Smith MSP has received a CBE for her services to sport.
• Dr Claire Elizabeth Armstrong receives the OBE She is Chief Executive Officer, Royal British Legion Scotland, and is honoured for services to Veterans in Scotland
• Dr Bienvenido Arturo Langa Ferreira, Consultant Psychiatrist receives the OBE for services to vulnerable people in Scotland.
• Christine Windmill receives the OBE for services to tennis in her role as Honorary Vice-President TennisScotland
• Andrew Anderson Head Maggie’s Cancer Support Centre receives an OBE for services to cancer support in the UK and abroad.
• Morag Deyes the Artistic Director, Dance Base, Edinburgh has received an OBE for services to dance.

Those receiving the MBE include Colin Liddell a lawyer from Pitlochry who has been involved as a trust of the Dunard Fund and the International Music and Performing Arts Charitable Trust Scotland, and the Royal High School Preservation Trust. His more recent involvement in key conservation and cultural projects in Edinburgh have given these projects a prospect of solid success to serve classical music and music education at the Dunard Concert Hall and the Royal High School Preservation Trust. 

Maria Lopez is also honoured for her work as Head of Partnerships with The Scottish Government for her services to Minority Ethnic Communities in Scotland during the pandemic. Her efforts enabled over 500,000 page views in translated languages and formats to be delivered on the Covid-19 hub. 

Jessica Davidson from Edinburgh receives an MBE. Ms Davidson is a Senior Clinical Forensic Charge Nurse and receives her award for services to Forensic Nursing and Survivor Support. Previously Lothian & Borders Police (now Police Scotland) operated an ad hoc system of using doctors on call to attend all in police care that required medical and/or forensic attention. She was particularly concerned about the care of those suffering mental health crises and victims of sexual assault/abuse. She worked alongside Police Scotland and NHS Scotland to co-create a regional nurse-led service. 

Stephen Fischbacher receives the MBE for services to Mental Health and Well- Being as founder of Fishy Music.

Suman Vohra receives the MBE for her services to the community in her role of Vice Chair Edinburgh Hindu Mandir and Cultural Centre. Arriving from India in early 1970s, she settled with her husband and young family in Edinburgh. Keen to connect with Indians in Edinburgh, she used Phone Directories to identify and contact Indian businesses and families. 

They met in their homes but were soon hiring halls to celebrate Diwali and other festivals with numbers increasing as word spread. Able to speak English, she acted as interpreter for those requiring help settling children into schools, those receiving hospital care – often bringing food for them, and in situations where the language barrier made things difficult. Some 30 years ago the Lothian Racial Equality Council helped her to procure a derelict church. The building had no floorboards and no heating. Despite the state of disrepair, attendance and spirits remained high. Wrapped in blankets against the cold, old and young in growing numbers came together to keep alive traditions and friendships. She motivated the group as together they painstakingly fundraised for resources to carry out major refurbishments. As a result of her determination, the Edinburgh Hindu Mandir Cultural Centre (EHMCC), now a major tourist attraction, is a thriving organisation attracting more than 5,000 people each year. 

Jacqueline Suttie receives the award of MBE as Founder and CEO of PRSD UK for her services to people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

PTSD UK is still the only charity in the UK dedicated to raising awareness and supporting everyone affected by the condition, no matter the trauma that caused it. 

She runs the charity that provides resources to educate, empower and inspire resilience in everyone affected by PTSD.  She also campaigns to raise awareness of the condition, reach out to high-risk communities and help shape UK healthcare policies. 

James Duffy receives the MBE award for services to children. He was lately Child Protection Manager at Lothian and Borders Police and Police Scotland. His three decade long career culminates in his leading a team of officers dealing with child protection incidents, many quite serious.

• He worked with multi-agency colleagues, and parents of children at risk to achieve positive outcomes which at times seemed impossible. 
• Through his skilful management of sensitive situations vulnerable children and their families were able to contemplate a happier future. 
• Always keen to support Social Work colleagues during difficult home visits at times when children were removed to foster placements, he would often volunteer his support as he knew the family background and had good relationships with family members. 
• He and his team rescued hundreds of children subject to physical, sexual and emotional abuse and in some cases, from suicide. 

Julie Grant who is Deputy Director, News and Digital, Scottish Government receives the MBE for services to Scotland on the Demise of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Eleanor Middlemiss Chef de Mission, Scotland Commonwealth Games Team is honoured with an MBE for services to Sport.

More than 1,200 people in the UK received honours this New Year.