The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry,rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences,work with charitable and welfare organizations,and public service outside the civil service. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions,the most senior two of which make the recipient either a knight if male or a dame if female. There is also the related British Empire Medal,whose recipients are affiliated with,but not members of,the order.
The National Film and Television School (NFTS) is a film,television and games school established in 1971 and based at Beaconsfield Studios in Beaconsfield,Buckinghamshire,England. It is featured in the 2021 ranking by The Hollywood Reporter of the top 15 international film schools.
Sir William Frederick Cotton was a British television producer and executive,and the son of dance band leader Billy Cotton. The television and radio presenter Fearne Cotton is related to him,as he was her paternal grandfather's cousin.
Sir William Blackledge Beaumont is a former rugby union player,and was captain of the England rugby union team,earning 34 caps. His greatest moment as captain was the unexpected 1980 Grand Slam win. He played as a lock.
Kes is a 1969 British coming-of-age drama film directed by Ken Loach and produced by Tony Garnett,based on the 1968 novel A Kestrel for a Knave,written by the Hoyland Nether–born author Barry Hines. Kes follows the story of Billy,who comes from a dysfunctional working-class family and is a no-hoper at school,but discovers his own private means of fulfilment when he adopts a fledgling kestrel and proceeds to train it in the art of falconry.
The Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood,or simply the Central Chancery,is an office of the Lord Chamberlain's department within the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom. It is responsible for the administration of orders of chivalry and some aspects of honours in general. It does not deal with nominations or decisions on appointments,but rather administers the appointment procedures and investitures,and provides the insignia. It is a small office,with eight staff in 2019.
Peter Gerard Hendy,Baron Hendy of Richmond Hill,,is a British transport executive and politician who has served as Minister of State for Rail since July 2024.
General John Nicholas Reynolds Houghton,Baron Houghton of Richmond,is a retired senior British Army officer and former Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) of the British Armed Forces. He was appointed CDS in July 2013,following the retirement of General Sir David Richards. He served as Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion,the Green Howards in Northern Ireland during The Troubles and later became Commander of the 39th Infantry Brigade in Northern Ireland. He deployed as Senior British Military Representative and Deputy Commanding General,Multi-National Force –Iraq during the Iraq War. Later,he became Chief of Joint Operations at Permanent Joint Headquarters and served as Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff until assuming the position of CDS. Houghton retired from the British Army in July 2016,and was succeeded as CDS by Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach.
Indarjit Singh,Baron Singh of Wimbledon,,sometimes transliterated Inderjit Singh,is a British journalist and broadcaster,a prominent British Indian active in Sikh and interfaith activities,and a member of the House of Lords.
Sir David Lee Pearson is a 14-times Paralympic Games gold medallist,having represented British para-equestrianism in Sydney,Athens,Beijing,London,Rio,and Tokyo. Over the course of his career he has won 30 gold medals at European,World and Paralympic level.
Peter David Godfrey McCormick OBE is an English lawyer. He is the Senior Partner of McCormicks Solicitors of Harrogate,North Yorkshire,England.
Sir Kenneth Aphunezi Olisa is a British businessman and philanthropist. He is the first mixed heritage Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London. He founded and led the AIM-listed technology merchant bank Interregnum and now leads Restoration Partners. Ken Olisa is Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists and has served and serves on several boards of philanthropic,educational and regulator organisations. Sir Kenneth with his wife endowed the Olisa Library at Fitzwilliam College,Cambridge.
Ernest John Munro Walker CBE,known as Ernie Walker,was a Scottish association football administrator who served as the Secretary of the Scottish Football Association from 1977 to 1990. He was also Chairman of UEFA's Stadia Committee for more than a decade.
Freddie Fletcher is an English actor best known for playing Jud,in Ken Loach's 1969 film Kes. He also appeared in the ITV series Fox.
Sir Amos Brook Hirst,OBE was an English football administrator and legal professional most associated with Huddersfield Town F.C.,who served as chairman of The Football Association (FA) from 1941 to 1955.
As part of the British honours system,Special Honours are issued at the Monarch's pleasure at any given time. The Special Honours refer to the awards made within royal prerogative,operational honours and other honours awarded outside the New Years Honours and Birthday Honours.
Sir James Hugh Neill,was a British businessman,public servant,and British Army officer. Described as a "doyen of the Sheffield steel industry",he worked for his family's tool manufacturing firm,James Neill &Co,following leaving school,until retirement;he served as the firms chairman between 1963 and 1989,and then its honorary president. He served as Master Cutler for 1958.
Alison Natalie Kay Lowe is a British Labour politician and deputy mayor of West Yorkshire for Policing and Crime. She was the first black woman Leeds city councillor,serving from 1990 to 2019,and has served as the chief executive of Touchstone,a mental health charity based in Leeds,from 2004 to 2021.
As part of the British honours system,Special Honours are issued at the Monarch's pleasure at any given time. The Special Honours refer to the awards made within royal prerogative,operational honours,political honours and other honours awarded outside the New Years Honours and Birthday Honours.
