
Essex heroes recognised in New Year Honours list 2025
13th January 2025
More than 1200 people from fields including sports, business, entertainment and politics have been awarded in this year’s New Years Honours list.
Out of those, 24 Essex residents have been recognised for making major contributions to their local community and charities, an increase from the previous year.
Lord-Lieutenant of Essex, Jennifer Tolhurst, the King’s personal representative in the county, said, “The range of services represented in these awards is once again a powerful reminder of the power of community and the difference an individual can make.
“Without people such as those who are honours, our loves, our county and country would be much the poorer. But these honours reflect and recognise only a small part of the huge contribution made by many who work tirelessly for their communities.
“I would encourage anyone who knows someone who makes a big difference to others in their community work, to nominate them for an honour which recognises the contribution and the extraordinary effort made by exceptional people in Essex.”
Included in the honours are Richard Gregory, who receives the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his work to improve the lives of disadvantaged adults and young people with special educational needs in Basildon.
Michael Ballinger, treasurer and studio manager for Wickford and District Talking Newspaper for the Blind, also receives a BEM for his services to the community.
Kevin Macey, Head of Essex Police’s Serious Case Review team, receives the BEM too, for his services to policing after an almost 50-year career.
Here are all this year’s Honours recipients:
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
- Michaela Benzeval: Professor of Longitudinal Research and Director of Understanding Society, University of Essex. Awarded for services to Social Science.
- Michelle Jarman-Howe: Chief Operating Officer of Prisons, HM Prison and Probation Service. Awarded for Public Service.
- Mala RAO, OBE: Senior Clinical Fellow, Imperial College London. Awarded for services to Public Health, the NHS and to Equality and Diversity in Colchester.
- Peter Shilton, OBE: Awarded for services to Association Football and to the Prevention of Gambling Harm.
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- Christopher Jolly: Publisher, Jolly Phonics. Awarded for services to education.
- Gillian Millane: Co-Founder of Love Grace. Awarded for services to Charitable Fundraising and Tackling Violence Against Women.
- Hannah O’Callaghan: Co-Founder of Love Grace. Awarded for services to Charitable Fundraising and Tackling Violence Against Women.
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
- Sara Browne: For services to the Arts and to the community in Southend-on-Sea and Westcliff on Sea.
- Christopher Hunter Gordon: Chairman, Resources for Autism. Awarded for services to People with Autism and their Families.
- Joseph Galliano: Director and Co-Founder of Queer Britain. Awarded for services to Heritage, Charity and to Diversity and Inclusion.
- Donna McWilliams: Deputy Group Co-Ordinator of Stepping Stones Play and Learn. Awarded for services to Early Years and Special Needs Education.
- Anne White: Volunteer Director of Thurrock Lifestyle Solutions Community Interest Company. Awarded for services to People with Impairments, based in Purfleet.
- Jonathan White: Economist for Department of Health and Social Care. Awarded for services to Social Care Policy.
- Claire Whiting: Founder of Two2One. Awarded for services to Bereaved People in Southend-on-Sea.
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
- Moses Ayoola: Director of Estates and Facilities at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. Awarded for services to Leadership in the NHS.
- Michael Ballinger: Awarded for services to the community in Wickford and Dunmow.
- Moira Brock: Founder and Principal of La Danse Fantastique. Awarded for services to Young People in Basildon.
- Christopher Eaton: Awarded for services to the community in Wakes Colne, Colchester.
- Robert Erith, TD DL: Awarded for services to the Environment in Dedham Vale.
- Marc Grayston: Chief Instructor at Maru Karate Kai. Awarded for services to Disadvantaged Young People and to the community in Basildon.
- Richard Gregory: Awarded for services to the Basildon community.
- Kevin Macey: Head of Major Crime Review, Essex Police. Awarded for services to Policing in Chelmsford.
- Brian Mooney: Member of Common Council, City of London Corporation. Awarded for services to the community in the City of London and in Coggeshall.
- Pauline Young (Holden): Lately Watch Manager of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service. Awarded for Services to the community in Great Baddow, Chelmsford.