King’s Birthday Honours: people across the south are recognised | News

The honours recognise people who make an ‘incredible’ contribution to life in Britain and abroad

Hampshire’s first female chief constable is among people from across the south who have been recognised in the King’s first Birthday Honours list.

Olivia Pinkney, who stepped down in April after 31 years in the police, has been awarded a CBE.

Olivia said: “I am extremely honoured to receive this award for services to policing.

“I am delighted to accept it, and I do so on behalf of the fine profession that I was proud to serve for 31 years.

“Proud of the service delivered by the most brilliant, compassionate, humble, and capable people who genuinely make a difference every day.”

The former chief executive of Poole-based Merlin Entertainments, which owns Alton Towers, Legoland and Thorpe Park, has said his knighthood shows the “importance” of the hospitality sector to the UK.

Sir Nick Varney, of Sturminster Newton, Dorset, has been knighted for services to the visitor economy.

“Having worked in the tourism and leisure industry for over 30 years, I have had the privilege of helping to build Merlin from a small British business to the global company it is today.”

In recognition of her dedication to nursing, chief nurse for Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, Professor Liz Rix has been awarded an MBE.

Liz’s NHS career spans more than four decades with nearly fifteen years as a chief nurse.

Liz said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be receiving an MBE. I can’t quite believe it really. I have been a nurse for 41 years, nearly 42.

“I have worked with incredible teams and incredible people. It is the best profession. It offers you a whole career and to be recognised in this way is something I never expected.”

Birthday Honours

Peter Allam, chief executive of Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, has been awarded an MBE for services to sailing.

Sandra Jones from Christchurch receives a British Empire Medal for services to badminton and the community in Dorset.

Paralympics wheelchair tennis player Lucy Shuker from Three Legged Cross in Dorset has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to sport.

Paul Kirby from Blandford has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to health and social care.

Virendra Mahendrakumar from Southampton receives a British Empire Medal for services to the community in Hampshire.

Michael McGrath from Clanfield in Hampshire has been made an MBE.

The founder and chief executive of the Muscle Help Foundation has been honoured for charitable services to people with muscular dystrophy.

Rosamund Gentle from Chichester receives an MBE for voluntary service to children with special needs and their families in West Sussex.

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