Staffordshire residents and county public health director recognised in New Year's Honours List

County residents are recognised for their work in charity, sport, aiding the response to the pandemic and local communities with the awards of Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) and Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM).

In addition, the county council’s director for health and care Dr Richard Harling has received an MBE for services to public health and adult social care along with former county council social care worker Lee Pardy-McLaughlin, who has received an OBE for service to children and families.

Others are former England World Cup winner and Wolves player Ron Flowers, who received an MBE for services to football and Dr Nigel Tringham, former county editor of Victorian County History of Staffordshire, who received an MBE for services to local history.

Richard Harling said:

I’m delighted to be recognised today, and this is about recognition for everyone at the county council and our public sector partners who have worked so hard throughout the last nine months to respond to the Covid pandemic. This has been an incredibly difficult year for everyone, so

I’d like to thank colleagues for their continued work and dedication.”

Alan White, leader of Staffordshire County Council, said:

It is rewarding to see Staffordshire people recognised by Her Majesty The Queen in the New Year’s Honours, particularly after such a challenging year for everyone. We are especially proud that our director for health and care Dr Richard Harling has received an honour for his dedication and service to the people of Staffordshire during what has been the most challenging health crisis in living memory. In addition, a former social care professional at the county council Lee Pardy-McLaughlin has received an honour – making a difference to families in our county and beyond.

All recipients have demonstrated great commitment, dedication and service to others and today they have received the national recognition they deserve.”

Mr Ian Dudson CBE, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, said:

I would like to send my heartfelt congratulations to all those who have been personally recognised by Her Majesty The Queen.

Those recognised have made a real difference to their professional or community roles – either over many years or during a more specific period. This has been an extremely difficult year and so it is pleasing to end with some good news with the New Year Honours.”

Residents of Staffordshire who have received an honour include:
• Mrs Sarah Ann Beaumont OBE, lately CEO Initiative for Social Entrepreneurs CIC, for services to social enterprise
• Mr Lee Pardy-McLaughlin, OBE, child and family principal social worker at Coventry City Council and former Staffordshire County Council employee and Staffordshire University lecturer, for services to children and families
• Mr Brian Roberts, finance commissioner at the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, OBE for services to local government and public sector finance
• Maj (Rtd) Robert John Cross, chairman, from Rugeley, North Midlands Branch Gurkha Welfare Trust, MBE for services to Gurkha veterans
• Mr Ronald Flowers, former Wolves and England footballer, MBE for services to football
• Mr Joseph Garcia, director of operations South East Coast Ambulance Trust, MBE for services to emergency response, particularly during the pandemic
• Mr Paul Jonathan Morris, founder and CEO Addmaster UK Limited, MBE for services to exports
• Mr Darren Teale, Founder Junction 15, MBE for services to media and vulnerable communities in the UK and abroad
• Ms Susan Tipton, managing director Protocol Consultancy, from Tamworth, MBE for services to apprenticeships and charity in the West Midlands
• Dr Nigel John Tringham, lately editor Victorian County History of Staffordshire, MBE for services to local history, especially in Staffordshire
• Mr Michael John Deakin, chairman Kibblestone District Scout Council, BEM for services to voluntary services to Scouting and to charity in Staffordshire
• Mrs Patricia Diane Geraghty, pharmacist dispensing technician, BEM for services to pharmacy services in Leek during the pandemic
• Mrs Maureen Elizabeth Recine, former Girl Guiding county commissioner, BEM for services to Girl Guiding and charity
• Mrs Gladys Mary Turnbull, Wolverhampton Netball and founder of Whitmore Netball Club, BEM for services to sport and the community