Latest news with #NewYearHonoursList
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Royal Commonwealth Society Appoints New Chair And Trustees
The Council of the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) has appointed Janet Cooper OBE as Chair to succeed Dr Linda Yueh CBE. Sianne Haldane and Ravi Suchak have been appointed as Trustees. said: 'It has been an immense privilege and pleasure to serve as Executive Chair of this special charity, which has enjoyed extraordinary support from the Society's Patron, His Majesty The King, Vice-Patron, Her Majesty The Queen, and partners from across the Commonwealth. I was deeply honoured to have led impactful programmes which have contributed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on education, equality, environment and communities, as well as high profile events that have celebrated the work of remarkable people, including young leaders, who make the world a better place. I am pleased that Janet, Sianne and Ravi will join the Council to enable the RCS to continue to make a positive impact on the lives of citizens in the Commonwealth and beyond.' Janet Cooper OBE said: 'It's a great pleasure and privilege to have been appointed to Chair the Royal Commonwealth Society, to build on the terrific work the RCS has been doing for over 150 years as well as look to the future, in a world which is becoming increasingly polarised and in conflict, the work of the RCS provides an opportunity to focus on youth engagement, climate action and equality initiatives across the Commonwealth.' Janet Cooper OBE is an experienced chair, lawyer, entrepreneur and trustee. She is a nonexecutive director of Nurture Group, an independent director of the Cabinet Office, Chair of ProShare and co-founder of the Global Equity Organisation, both non-profit organisations promoting employee share ownership, and Vice Chair of Roehampton University. Janet was one of the first women partners in global law firm, Linklaters and went on to found a multi award winning specialist law firm which was transferred to a trust for the employees in 2020. She was the first woman to chair the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and former trustee and Vice Chair of the UN Women UK. Janet was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to equality, women's empowerment and employee share ownership in the 2017 New Year Honours List and is appointed a Fellow of the University of Roehampton in 2024. Dr Linda Yueh CBE has served as Chair since 2018 and as a member of Council since 2016. Janet Cooper OBE, Sianne Haldane and Ravi Suchak will join the Council on June 1.
Scotsman
7 days ago
- General
- Scotsman
Scotsman Obituaries: Margaret Mills MBE, trailblazing children's champion
Margaret Mills MBE, children's champion. Born: 16 October 1948. Died: 28 March 2025, aged 76 Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Colleagues at Children First have been fondly remembering Margaret Mills MBE, who worked tirelessly as a children's champion for the charity for over 54 years until her sudden death. Starting her career in the 1970s as one of the first female inspectors with the Royal Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (RSSPCC), now known as Children First, Margaret dedicated her life to helping children and families. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Specialising in supporting children to recover from sexual, emotional and physical abuse at Children First's service in the Scottish Borders, she helped transform the lives of hundreds of children. Margaret Mills was awarded an MBE in the 2012 New Year Honours List Margaret pioneered support for child victims required to give evidence in court. This paved the way for Scotland's first Bairns Hoose, a safe space for child victims and witnesses of crime run by Children First, based on the Icelandic Barnahus model, to provide a child-centred approach to justice, care and recovery. The Bairns Hoose approach is now being rolled out across Scotland and is in development in the Scottish Borders. Mary Glasgow, chief executive of Scotland's national children's charity, said: 'Margaret considered it a huge privilege to work with young people and regarded each and every family and young person she connected with as special. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Margaret was an extraordinary person, and we will all miss her hugely at Children First. She was a dedicated, compassionate advocate for the rights of children, striving to ensure that they had the opportunity to access all the support they needed. 'Her meaningful connection with children meant that for years afterwards many young people chose to stay in touch with Margaret and would reconnect with her for support and encouragement when they needed it. 'Margaret was loved by so many and leaves a lasting legacy behind, having paved the way for Scotland's first ever Bairns Hoose. "She was truly an inspiration to others, devoting her life to securing a brighter future for children who had suffered trauma and abuse.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad After leaving school at 15, Margaret – who hailed from Leitholm in the Scottish Borders – worked as a nanny with a family in Edinburgh before undertaking nursery nurse training with Barnardos. Once she was old enough she began working for Barnardos in Essex and Cambridge in children's homes where she was fondly known as the 'Scottish auntie'. On completion of her residential childcare course at Langside College in Glasgow, Margaret embarked on her career as a children's champion with the RSSPCC in 1973 supporting parents to care for their children. At that time the RSSPCC had the duty and power to investigate and prosecute incidents of child abuse and all male RSSPCC staff were inspectors, and female staff were 'women visitors'. Margaret moved back to the Borders in 1973 as an RSSPCC visitor and excelled in the role. She was instrumental in setting up a support group in Galashiels for mothers of preschool children who needed help. In 1976 she was promoted and became one of the first female RSSPCC inspectors, moving into a lead role in the field of child protection and family assessment. By 1980 she had started another parents support group in Hawick. These groups gave Margaret and her colleague and lifelong friend Bill Dunbar the inspiration to set up the Ettrick Family Resource Centre in Selkirk in 1990. This laid the foundation for today's Children First service in the Scottish Borders which has supported thousands of children and families over the years. Margaret and Bill responded to calls from the public for support with their children's wellbeing 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad From then on, Margaret continued to help children to recover from unthinkable trauma and trailblazed support for child victims required to give evidence in court, leading to Scotland's first Bairns Hoose. Margaret played an active role in her community, running the creche at Kelso North Parish Church for many years. She was also president of Broomlands Scottish Women's Rural Institute.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Funeral of the Queen of Bicton Street to take place
Funeral of the Queen of Bicton Street to take place An Exmouth woman who was affectionately known as "The Queen of Bicton Street" has died aged 95. The funeral of Joy Williams, MBE, takes place this Friday (May 9). A website, raising funds for Devon Gardens Trust, has also been set up online. Born on April 27, 1929, Mrs Audrey Francis Joy Williams was chairman for the Education and Events Committee for the Devon Gardens Trust. Awarded an MBE in the 2011 New Year Honours List for services to children, she died on April 2, 2025. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Joy was the mother of The Bicton Inn's landlady Alison Brockbank and grandmother to Zoe and Ben Brockbank. According to a post from the family on social media and from Otter Valley Funerals, Joy's funeral service is at East Devon Crematorium, London Road, Strete Ralegh, Whimple, Exeter EX5 2PT at 11.30am on Friday May 9. 'Anyone who wants to pay their respect' is invited. Family flowers only. That's followed by a wake at 1pm at Exmouth's Ocean on Queen's Drive. Dress code is 'colourful and smart'. Celebrations of Joy's life will continue at the Bicton Inn, Bicton Street, from 5pm. A website – with donations for Devon Gardens Trust – is now available online. To make a donation, visit:
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
East Lancs British Empire Medals to be presented at Lancaster Castle
Five East Lancashire people honoured by the King will be given their British Empire Medals tomorrow. They are among eight BEM recipients from the county at the ceremony in Lancashire Castle's historic Shire Hall on Friday, May 2. The medals will be presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire Amanda Parker on behalf of His Majesty King Charles. The East Lancashire recipients commended in the recent New Year Honours List for services to their local community are: Major Scott Fisher, from Longridge, for his services to charitable fundraising for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Nicholas Hartshorne-Evans, from Hapton, for his services to people with chronic heart failure Barry Hyde, from Bacup, for his services to the community in Rossendale. Barry Hyde has received the BEM Also attending on the evening will be two BEM recipients who were unable to receive their awards due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Louise Cooper DL, Deputy Lieutenant for Lancashire and District Scout Commissioner, was honoured for her services to children and young people in Rossendale, and Michael Grime received the medal for his services to Scouts and to the community in Darwen. Michael Grime is honoured for his work with the Scouts The other BEM recipients on the evening will be: Barbara Brook, from Poulton-le-Fylde, a volunteer with the Girls Friendly Society, for her services to girls, young women and to the community in Layton, Blackpool Andrew Clarke, from Thornton Cleveleys, for his services to cancer charities Oliver Wood, from Whitestake, near Preston, for his services to young people. Ribble Valley resident Mrs Parker said: "It is an honour to present these British Empire Medals on behalf of His Majesty King Charles to the distinguished individuals from Lancashire, in recognition of their exceptional service and invaluable contributions to our county." Joining her on the evening will be the constable of the Castle Pam Barker, the chair of Lancashire County Council Tim Ashton and the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Brigadier (Retd) Peter Rafferty, as well as friends and family of the medal recipients and a number of Deputy Lieutenants from across the county.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ex-aide to Princes Harry and William opens up the brothers' bad blood
A senior royal insider has broken his silence about the rift between Prince William and Prince Harry. Jason Knauf, who worked as an aide to both brothers, appeared on an episode '60 Minutes Australia,' offering up tidbits about the bad blood within the British monarchy. 'We have ups and downs in family,' the former Kensington Palace staffer explained in the pro-Prince WIlliam segment. 'Even when you really love someone, you can have times when you don't want to spend that much time with them.' He continued: 'It's very difficult to have this stuff play out in the public eye, but [William]'s chosen to keep his thoughts on it private, and I think all of us who know him really have to respect that we should do the same.' He added, 'But I will say, of course, it's been hard and sad, especially for all of us who know both of them.' Knauf, 43, worked as a communications secretary to Prince William and Kate Middleton as well as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle before moving on to become chief executive of the Duke and Duchess of Wales' foundation. The Texas native stepped down from his royal duties at the end of 2021 but remains on the board of trustees for Prince William's Earthshot Prize. He was made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (RVO) in the 2023 New Year Honours List. According to the BBC, he made a bullying complaint against Markle in 2018 and became a central figure in the Duchess of Sussex's lawsuit against The Mail on Sunday over a private letter she sent her estranged father. In 2021, she won the privacy case against the British newspaper publisher in London's Court of Appeal when a judge found the publication of a letter to her father was unlawful. Though considered a betrayer of the runaway royals, Knauf offered positive comments about the California-based couple — who stepped back from their senior royal duties in 2020. 'I'd worked really closely with the two of them and we had lots of great times,' he said. 'Working on their wedding was an amazing, magical experience and I wish them absolutely all the best with their lovely family.' When asked by the outlet if Prince William becoming King of England could factor into a reconciliation, Knauf said: 'I can't speculate on the future. They achieved a lot together and none of that can ever be taken away. He added, 'This may be an extraordinary family that everyone gets to talk about and write about and be interviewed and all of that stuff but at the end of the day, it's a family.' _____
