Kent people recognised in the King’s birthday honours list 2023 including Davina McCall and Damian Collins MP

His Majesty The King’s first official Birthday Honours List has been announced today, and a number of people from Kent have been recognised.

More than 1,000 people have been honoured, including television presenter Davina McCall who lives in Tunbridge Wells , Folkestone and Hythe MP Damian Collins and head coach for England Wheelchair Rugby league Tom Coyd.

The 27-year-old from Gillingham has been with the team since 2020 and has been awarded an MBE for services to Wheelchair Rugby League.

The team won last year’s Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup.

The 27-year-old started coaching the Medway Dragons, which was created by his dad, when he was 11.

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He said he was left “speechless” after opening the letter, explaining: “My jaw hit the floor genuinely, obviously I just didn’t expect it.

“My mum was there when we opened it, she was ecstatic she was jumping around and that’s what’s really special is being able to share the news with people like my parents, my brother and sister, grandparents. That’s when you realise how meaningful it is and how important it is.

“It’s great to enjoy it for myself but seeing how excited it makes other people is what I really get a kick out of because they’ve been such a big part of my journey.

“They’ve helped me to be the person I am, so it’s recognition for them as well.”

Davina McCall who will also receive an MBE for services to broadcasting, for her esteemed career as a broadcaster and campaigner.

She has been raising awareness for years about common female health conditions, particularly the menopause and recently released her documentary Pill Revolution, in which she calls for a change in how hormonal contraception is viewed.

For his political and public service, Folkestone and Hythe MP Damian Collins has been given an MBE.

Mr Collins was first elected in 2010 and until last October was the under Secretary of State at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

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The list marks the incredible public service of individuals from across the country.

Those included have been awarded for their outstanding contributions across all sectors and parts of the UK, with a renewed focus on those who have had a profoundly positive impact on how society faces up to the most challenging issues of the modern era.

Individuals have been recognised for being inspiring entrepreneurs, innovators and philanthropists.

Deputy Prime Minister Rt Hon. Oliver Dowden MP said: ”This year’s honours list is a testament to ordinary people who have demonstrated extraordinary community spirit, and I pay tribute to all those who have been recognised today.

“Our honours system has long been a way of recognising people who make an incredible contribution to life in Britain and beyond.

“We are now focused on levelling up the system to ensure it represents the length and breadth of the country, and I hope that the fantastic stories this year ensure more regional nominations in the future.”

The full list can be found here.

People from Kent nominated:

ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire

Rev. Canon Nigel Mark Genders Chief Education Officer, Church of England. For services to Education (Sandwich)

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Nicholas Guy Baveystock DL Director General and Secretary, Institution of Civil Engineers. For services to Engineering. (Ashford)

Damian Collins MP Member of Parliament for Folkestone and Hythe. For Political and Public Service (Canterbury)

Julie Harmsworth Lately Deputy Chief Executive, Unlock, National Association of Ex-Offenders. For services to Ex-Offenders. (Chatham)

Lisa Juliet James Community Outreach, Ukraine Humanitarian Taskforce, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. For services to the Ukrainian Community. (Dartford)

Gavin Marcus Mckinnon Chief Officer, Kent Special Constabulary. For services to Policing. (Tonbridge)

Robert David Sanders Director of Digital Customer Services, Houses of Parliament. For services to Parliament and to the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. (Tunbridge Wells)

Sarah Louise Strangleman Liaison Officer, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Ministry of Defence. For Public Service. (Kent)

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Lorna Lynn Canning Senior Policy Adviser, Home Office. For Public Service. (Dartford)

Thomas Dillon Coyd Coach, England Wheelchair Rugby League Team. For services to Wheelchair Rugby League. (Gillingham)

Jennifer Anne Cross JP Lately Member, Mental Health and Care Standards Tribunals. For services to the Administration of Justice and to the community in Tunbridge Wells. (Tonbridge)

Dr Victoria Louise Harrington Lately Assistant Chief Officer, Essex Police. For services to Policing. (Cranbrook)

Aaron Lee Hearne Fundraiser, Childline. For services to children. (Maidstone)

Kevin Hewlett Managing Director and Registered Manager, Hale Place Care Homes Ltd. For services to People with Dementia. (Tonbridge)

Dr Michael Olatunde Kehinde Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champion, Environment Agency. For Public Service. (Swanscombe)

Sonia Maulson General Manager (North), Southeastern Trains. For services to Rail Transport and to the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. (Dartford)

Davina Lucy Pascale McCall for services to Broadcasting. (Kent)

Alan Stephen Noake Assistant County Commissioner, Global Projects and Community Impact (Kent Scouts) and Deal, Walmer, Sandwich and District. For services to Young People in Kent. (Deal)

Peter Cairns O’Hara Chief Executive, OLM Systems. For services to Social Care. (Westerham)

Nimisha Raja Founder, Nim’s Fruit Crisps. For services to Small and Medium Enterprises. (Sittingbourne)

Gillian Anne Weaver Co-Founder, Human Milk Foundation. For services to Charity and to Human Milk Banking. (Dover)

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

Victoria Golding Wildlife Rehabilitator, Kent Wildlife Trust. For services to Education, to Charity and to Animal Welfare. (Sittingbourne)

Gary Raymond Howes. For services to Table Tennis, Young People and to the community in Tunbridge Wells. (Tunbridge Wells)

Patricia Jeal For services to the community in Higham (Rochester)

Catherine Frances McCully Trustee, Cobbes Meadow Group, Riding for the Disabled Association. For services to Charity and to People with Disabilities in Canterbury. (Canterbury)

Reginald Roy Pierce Lately Chair, Business Radio Council, Federation of Communication Services. For services to Business and Radio Communications. (Longfield)

Judith Ann Richardson Lifeboat Press Officer, Dungeness Lifeboat Station, Royal National Lifeboat Institution. For services to Maritime Safety. (Romney Marsh)

Mark Simpson Lately Head of Public Enquiry Service, House of Lords. For services to Parliament. (Tonbridge)

Catherine Margaret Wynne Volunteer International Technical Official, International Canoe Federation and European Canoe Association. For services to Sport. (Tonbridge)