Almost 140 companies, including some of the UK’s biggest household names, are being named and shamed today for failing to pay their workers the minimum wage.

Investigated between 2016 and 2018, the 139 named companies failed to pay £6.7 million to over 95,000 workers in total, in a flagrant breach of employment law. The offending companies range in size from small businesses to large multinationals who employ thousands of people across the UK.

Preserving and enforcing workers’ rights is a priority for this government. While the vast majority of businesses follow the law and uphold workers’ rights, the publication of the list is intended to serve as a warning to rogue employers that the government will take action against those who fail to pay their employees properly.

This is the first time the government has named and shamed companies for failing to pay National Minimum Wage since 2018, following reforms to the process to ensure only the worst offenders are targeted.

Business Minister Paul Scully said:

Paying the minimum wage is not optional, it is the law. It is never acceptable for any employer to short-change their workers, but it is especially disappointing to see huge household names who absolutely should know better on this list.

This should serve as a wake-up call to named employers and a reminder to everyone of the importance of paying workers what they are legally entitled to.

Make no mistake, those who fail to follow minimum wage rules will be caught out and made to pay up.

One of the main causes of minimum wage breaches was low-paid employees being made to cover work costs, which would eat into their pay packet, such as paying for uniform, training or parking fees.

Also, some employers failed to raise employees’ pay after they had a birthday which should have moved them into a different National Minimum Wage bracket.

Employers who pay workers less than the minimum wage have to pay back arrears of wages to the worker at current minimum wage rates. They also face hefty financial penalties of up to 200% of arrears – capped at £10,000 per worker – which are paid to the government. Each of the companies named today have paid back their workers, and were forced to pay financial penalties.

While not all breaches of minimum wage rules are intentional, it is the responsibility of all employers to ensure they are following the law. With this round, we are also publishing a short educational bulletin that summarises public guidance on paying workers and common reasons for underpayment – helping to ensure that workers are not short-changed in future.

National Minimum Wage Naming Scheme, Round 16: educational bulletin (PDF, 242KB, 6 pages)

The companies the government is naming today were served a notice of underpayment between September 2016 and July 2018, following investigations by HMRC.

Last month, the government announced a measured increase in National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates, which will come into effect from April 2021. Every worker is entitled to the National Minimum Wage, no matter their age or profession.

This is the full list of companies named for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage:

• Tesco stores Limited, Welwyn Hatfield AL7, failed to pay £5,096,946.13 to 78,199 workers
• Pizza Hut (U.K.) Limited, City of Edinburgh WD6, failed to pay £845,936.41 to 10,980 workers
• The Lowry Hotel Limited, trading as The Lowry Hotel, Salford EC4A, failed to pay £63,431.51 to 99 workers
• Doherty & Gray Limited, Mid and East Antrim BT42, failed to pay £43,470.16 to 128 workers
• Independent Care & Support Ltd, Medway ME2, failed to pay £40,275.17 to 55 workers
• Amber Valley Council for Voluntary Services, trading as Amber Valley Centre for Voluntary Services, Amber Valley DE5, failed to pay £37,346.46 to 104 workers
• Premier Care Limited, Salford M27, failed to pay £31.198.61 to 407 workers
• Hill Biscuits Limited, Tameside OL7, failed to pay £25,867.06 to 247 workers
• Sendon Garage Services Limited, Lambeth SW8, failed to pay £24,869.52 to 2 workers
• Natural Nails Beauty London Ltd, Haringey N15, failed to pay £15,265.58 to 4 workers
• Superdrug Stores PLC, Croydon CR0, failed to pay £15,228.57 to 2222 workers
• St Johnstone Football Club Limited (The), Peth and Kinross PH1, failed to pay £14,266.74 to 28 workers
• Home Grown Hotels Limited, New Forest SO43, failed to pay £13,790.44 to 25 workers
• Rebus Construction Ltd, Hart RH12, failed to pay £13,379.94 to 5 workers
• Mrs Emma Hartley, trading as Whitehall Hairdressing, Leeds, failed to pay £12,882.14 to 2 workers
• The Walshford Inn Limited, trading as The Bridge Hotel & Spa, Harrogate W1W, failed to pay £11,947.23 to 26 workers
• Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Armagh City, Banbrige and Craigavon, failed to pay £11,285.34 to 269 workers
• Müller UK & Ireland Group LLP, Shropshire TF9, failed to pay £10,702.11 to 54 workers
• Dakota Forth Bridge Limited- Dissolved 20/03/2020, City of Edinburgh S70, failed to pay £10,236.50 to 4 workers
• Pinnacle PSG Limited, City of London NW1, failed to pay £10,166.03 to 10 workers
• Preystone Property Investments Limited, trading as Battlesteads Hotel and Restaurant, Northumberland NE48, failed to pay £9767.15 to 26 workers
• Western Brand Poultry Products (NI) Ltd, Fermanagh and Omagh BT92, failed to pay £9,275 to 50 workers
• Nahid Residential Limited, trading as Manor House Hotel, Guildford GU1, failed to pay £9,159.53 to 5 workers
• Norfolk Coastal Pubs Limited, trading as The Golden Fleece, North Norfolk NR23 failed to pay £8,141.69 to 14 workers
• Worldwide Foods (Birmingham) Limited, trading as Al-Halal Supermarket, Birmingham B10, failed to pay £8,062.88 to 1 worker
• Eat Food Limited, trading as Albatta Restaurant, Colchester CO1, failed to pay £7,987.15 to 5 workers
• G & J Properties Limited, Bolton BL7, failed to pay £7,858.16 to 1 worker
• Adi’s Hand Car Wash Ltd – Dissolved 19/02/2019, Barking and Dagenham RM8, failed to pay £7,750.84 to 2 workers
• South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, Lisburn and Castlereagh BT16, failed to pay £7,564.66 to 193 workers
• Discount Wallpapers Limited, trading as O’Neills Decorating Centre, Bolton WA12, failed to pay £7,446.14 to 11 workers
• Sturgess & Thompson Limited, Leicester LE1, failed to pay £7,385.40 to 2 workers
• Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast BT9, failed to pay £7,303.41 to 192 workers
• Helio Leisure Limited, trading as Helio Fitness, Fylde FY3, failed to pay £7,298.69 to 26 workers
• Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Antrim and Newtownabbey, failed to pay £6,900.72 to 146 workers
• Hoar Cross Hall Limited, East Staffordshire OX7, failed to pay £6,651.94 to 26 workers
• Renard Resources Limited, Westminster WC2E, failed to pay £6,492.95 to 484 workers
• Imago @ Loughborough Limited ,Charnwood LE11, failed to pay £6,319.05 to 101 workers
• Western Health and Social Care Trust, Derry City and Strabane, failed to pay £6,170.97 to 170 workers
• Littlemoss Preservation Limited, Tameside M43, failed to pay £5,434.18 to 4 workers
• Mr Phillip Brookman, trading as Phillip Brookman Decorator & Plasterer, Cardiff failed to pay £5,141.70 to 1 worker
• O & H Electrical Limited, Torbay TQ2, failed to pay, £5,139.02 to 6 workers
• Mr Jonathan Evans, trading as Jonty Evans Equestrian Activities, Gloucester, failed to pay £5,008.16 to 5 workers
• SKL Professional Recruitment Agency Limited, trading as SKL Homecare, Hertsmere WD19, failed to pay £4,628.69 to 43 workers
• Wigan Rugby League Club Limited, trading as Wigan Warriors, Wigan WN5, failed to pay £4,559.24 to 1 worker
• Mr Blerim Bajrami, trading as Secure Hand Car wash, Cannock Chase, failed to pay £4,475.01 to 3 workers
• Tring Park Day Nursery Ltd, Dacorum HP23, failed to pay £4,415.63 to 2 workers
• Pet Charmer Ltd – Company in liquidation April 2019, trading as Wild Animal Adventures and Pet Mania, Stockton-on-Tees LS15, failed to pay £4,168.90 to 1 worker
• WKW Partnership Limited, trading as Cairngorm Hotel, Highland KA21, failed to pay £4,057.00 to 7 workers
• Mr Roan Bradshaw and Ms Joy Bradshaw, trading as First Glance, Lewisham, failed to pay £3,997.58 to 1 worker
• Costco Wholesale UK Limited , Hertsmere WD25, failed to pay £3,747.52 to 58 workers
• Gregg Little Testing Centre Limited, County Durham TS18, failed to pay £3,703.90 to 4 workers
• Solent Build Group Limited – Company Status Liquidation 06/12/2018, Southampton SO51, failed to pay £3,676.33 to 1 worker
• Blakerin International Holdings Limited, trading as Cumbria Park Hotel, Carlisle LA12, failed to pay £3,611.13 to 46 workers
• Multitech Site Services Limited, Uttlesford CM6, failed to pay £3,294.52 to 1 worker
• Dr Jaskaram Bains and Dr Bernie Chand, Hanwell Dental Practice, Unknown, failed to pay £3,072.25 to 5 workers
• Byron Hamburgers Limited, Westminster W1D, failed to pay £3,062.03 to 77 workers
• Nina’s Nursery (Davenport) Limited, Stockport SK2, failed to pay £3,058.20 to 18 workers
• Walton Bannus Estates Limited, Harborough LE17, failed to pay £3,051.60 to 2 workers
• Circus in Schools Limited – Notice of voluntary strike-off – Nov 17, Cornwall TR13, failed to pay £2,958.85 to 2 workers
• KKM Enterprises Limited- Liquidation- 23/08/2019, trading as The Cleaning Company, Redbridge B77, failed to pay £2,876.68 to 4 workers
• The Bobby Dhanjal Practice Limited, trading as Bobby Dhanjal Wealth Management, Blaby LE19, failed to pay £2,868.69 to 3 workers
• Manor House Country Hotel Limited, Fermanagh and Omagh BT94, failed to pay £2,837.04 to 139 workers
• Morden Estates Company Limited, Dorset BH20, failed to pay £2,761.45 to 43 workers
• The Education Development Service Ltd, Telford and Wrekin TF4, failed to pay £2,520.40 to 2 workers
• Mr Malcolm Gilmour and Mr David Gilmour, trading as Gilmour Bros, South Lanarkshire, failed to pay £2,446.58 to 3 workers
• Storrs Hall Limited, South Lakeland BB1, failed to pay £2,402.23 to 3 workers
• DCS&D Limited Heritage Healthcare, Darlington DL1, failed to pay £2,393.39 to 13 workers
• Rainbow Room (East Kilbride) Limited, South Lanarkshire G74, failed to pay £2,378.77 to 15 workers
• Mr Darran Vaughan, trading as VAS Car Sales, Newry, Mourne and Down, failed to pay £2,351.41 to 1 worker
• Mr Gnanenran Arumugam, trading as Lavender Convenience Store, Cheshire East, failed to pay £2,335.88 to 1 worker
• The Calderdale Community Childcare Company Ltd, Calderdale HX2, failed to pay £2,321.81 to 2 workers
• Gzim Workshop Limited Valeting Car wash, Haringey N17, failed to pay £2,297.21 to 3 workers
• Alaska Fast Foods Ltd – Dissolved 05/02/2019, trading as Freddy’s Chicken & Pizza, Hyndburn M21, failed to pay £2,180.93 to 7 workers
• Tracy Hart, trading as Little Oaks Pre School, Dacorum, failed to pay £2,134.47 to 1 worker
• Chi Yip Group Limited , Oldham M24, failed to pay £2,121.51 to 14 workers
• Four Pillars Hotels Limited, Harrogate HG2, failed to pay £2,092.55 to 29 workers
• Mr William Fleeson, trading as Rainbow Room International, Stirling, failed to pay £2,089.66 to 11 workers
• D & D Decorators Limited, East Ayrshire KA3, failed to pay £2,080.35 to 1 worker
• Kiddi Day Care Limited-Liquidation of the company commenced Feb 2019, trading as Blue Giraffe Childcare, Birmingham SA1, failed to pay £1,978.57 to 9 workers
• Dessian Products Limited, Belfast BT12, failed to pay £1,885.00 to 1 worker
• Crewe Hotel Trading Limited, trading as Holiday Inn Express Crewe, Cheshire East S43, failed to pay £1,871.52 to 19 workers
• Fast Fresh Ltd- Liquidated Dec 2019, trading as Subway, Sunderland BN1, failed to pay £1,833.02 to 3 workers
• Document Transport Limited, trading as Kegworth Hotel, North West Leicestershire PE2, failed to pay £1,801.07 to 10 workers
• Larne Coachworks Limited, Mid and East Antrim BT1, failed to pay £1,791.69 to 1 worker
• Mrs Therese Ann Binns, trading as Winston Churchill, Bradford, failed to pay £1,774.35 to 3 workers
• Mr Brian Wilde, Ms Mariella Gabbutt, Mr Tony Wilde, Mr Joseph Wilde, trading as J & B Wilde & Sons, Manchester, failed to pay £1,717.23 to 4 workers
• UKS Group Limited, Bristol, City of BS1, failed to pay £1,666.88 to 13 workers
• LM Bubble Tea Ltd, trading as Mooboo, Liverpool L15, failed to pay £1,628.49 to 14 workers
• The Wensleydale Heifer Limited, Richmondshire DL8, failed to pay £1,625.89 to 3 workers
• Fewcott Healthcare Limited, Cherwell OX27, failed to pay £1,575.00 to 2 workers
• Hotel Birmingham Ltd , trading as Travellers Inn, Sandwell B69, failed to pay £1,516.25 to 3 workers
• Keasim Glasgow Limited, trading as Malones Glasgow, Glasgow City G2, failed to pay £1,503.43 to 1 worker
• Shades Hair Design Limited- Dissolved 18/12/2018, trading as Shades Hair & Beauty, Bridgend CF32, failed to pay £1,487.98 to 2 workers
• Signature Inns Limited, trading as Westmead Hotel, Bromsgrove B48, failed to pay £1,456.81 to 5 workers
• Kingsland Engineering Company Limited (The), North Norfolk NR26, failed to pay £1,331.79 to 4 workers
• The Roxburghe Hotel Edinburgh Limited (we have been notified that this company is no longer operating and that the Roxburghe Hotel is under new management), City of Edinburgh EH3, failed to pay £1,317.43 to 47 workers
• Business Services Organisation, Belfast BT2, failed to pay £1,310.69 to 32 workers
• Clare McFarlane and Suzanne McGill, trading as Rainbow Room International, South Lanarkshire, failed to pay £1,304.77 to 16 workers
• Mrs Krystle Purdy, trading as Krystalized, Epping Forest, failed to pay £1,294.13 to 1 worker.
• Oakminster Healthcare Limited, trading as Cumbrae House Care Home, Glasgow City G41, failed to pay £1,292.30 to 21 workers
• Rainbows Day Care (Pembrokeshire) Limited-Company dissolved 03/03/2020, Pembrokeshire SA66, failed to pay £1,273.38 to 46 workers
• Maltings Entertainment Limited, trading as Carbon Nightclub and The Mill Bar and Grill Restaurant, Mid Suffolk IP6, failed to pay £1,263.44 to 1 worker
• Ben Ong UK Limited – Company Status Liquidation 28/11/2018, Barnet N12, failed to pay £1,257.12 to 3 workers
• Mr Nosh Fusha, trading as Green Lane Car Wash, Walsall, failed to pay £1,254.73 to 1 worker
• Cygnet Health Care Limited, Tonbridge and Malling TN15, failed to pay £1,249.55 to 15 workers
• Thurlaston Meadows Care Home Ltd, Rugby CV23, failed to pay £1,223.54 to 1 worker
• Trent Park Catering Limited Companies Status- Active Proposal to Strike Off, trading as Trent Park Café, Enfield EN4, failed to pay £1,213.77 to 10 workers
• Lord Hill Hotel Limited, Shropshire SY2, failed to pay £1,168.91 to 18 workers
• Smart Solutions (Recruitment) Limited, Newport NP18, failed to pay £1,152.09 to 90 workers
• Black Rock Hotels Limited, trading as Leighinmohr House Hotel,Mid and East Antrim BT42, failed to pay £1,138.05 to 30 workers
• Gino’s Dial-A-Pizza Ltd, Cannock Chase WS11, failed to pay £1,117.38 to 7 workers
• Mitras Automotive (UK) Limited, Cheshire West and Chester CW7, failed to pay£1,048.29 to 3 workers
• Anjana Bhog Sweets Limited-Dissolved 17/09/19, Brent UB3, failed to pay £1,020.00 to 1 worker
• Mr Mohammed Nasir, trading as Omar Khayyam, City of Edinburgh, failed to pay £935.31 to 2 workers
• About Face Beauty Clinic Limited, Glasgow City G74, failed to pay £924.51 to 6 workers
• Mr Howard Coy, trading as H Coy & Son, Melton failed to pay £902.29 to 1 worker
• Jameson Knight Estates Limited-Dissolved 29/01/2019, Tower Hamlets E2, failed to pay £885.06 to 2 workers
• Croome International Transport Limited, Maidstone ME17, failed to pay £869.19 to 8 workers
• Rainbow Room (24 Royal Exchange Square) Limited, Glasgow City G1, failed to pay £851.70 to 6 workers
• The Coaching Inn Group (No2) Limited-Application for voluntary strike-off – Dec 2019, Boston PE21, failed to pay £811.88 to 2 workers
• Cotswold Motor Group Limited, Cheltenham GL51, failed to pay £796.31 to 2 workers
• Glenpac Bacon Products Limited , Newry, Mourne and Down BT35, failed to pay £752.02 to 2 workers
• Mistsolar Limited, trading as Bridgend Ford, Bridgend CF31, failed to pay £739.00 to 1 worker
• Robinson’s of Failsworth (Bakers) Limited, Tameside M35, failed to pay £736.82 to 9 workers
• Mr Timothy Lock and Mrs Beatrice Lock, trading as Woodborough Hall, Gedling, failed to pay £723.60 to 2 workers
• Nova Display Limited, Leeds LS25, failed to pay £722.78 to 1 worker
• Dessert House on the River Limited- Compulsory notice to strike off – 17/03/20 suspended 29/04/20, trading as Kaspa’s Desserts, Lewisham M16, failed to pay £719.10 to 1 worker
• Mr Edwin Minchin, trading as Eddie’s Diner, Great Yarmouth, failed to pay £670.13 to 3 workers
• The Izaak Walton Hotel (Dovedale) Ltd, Staffordshire Moorlands LA22, failed to pay £667.60 to 2 workers
• Mr David Blake, trading as Foxhills Farm and Riding Centre, Walsall, failed to pay£667.54 to 1 worker
• Shaoke Hospitality Ltd- Dissolved 30/04/2020, trading as Mooboo, Leeds L15, failed to pay £664.94 to 5 workers
• Richard Webster & Co Limited, Eastleigh SO50, failed to pay £621.23 to 1 worker
• Newemoo Limited, Birmingham B5, failed to pay £591.86 to 2 workers
• Regional Buildings Assessments LLP, Hyndburn BB1, failed to pay £562.89 to 2 workers
• Ace Hospitality Ltd, trading as Holiday Inn Express Birmingham- South A45, Birmingham B73, failed to pay £556.15 to 14 workers
• Mrs Elizabeth Norris and Dr Terry Hooper, trading as St Bart’s Day Nurseries, Dover, failed to pay £552.53 to 9 workers
• The Club Company (UK) Limited, Wokingham RG10, failed to pay £540.30 to 11 workers
• Eat Tokyo Limited, Barnet NW11, failed to pay £530.83 to 2 workers
• Molescroft Nursing Home (Holdings) Limited, trading as Beverley Grange Nursing Home, East Riding of Yorkshire HU13, failed to pay £510.24 to 1 worker

The Naming Scheme was paused in 2018 so that an evaluation into its effectiveness could be carried out. On 11 February 2020 the government announced that the Naming Scheme would resume.

The government undertook a review of the Naming Scheme in order to ascertain its effectiveness and ensure naming was used in the most efficient way. The review was published in February 2020.

I think we can all agree we will be glad to see the back of 2020.

We have spent months living through a global pandemic and our lives are almost unrecognisable from a year ago. For many, the tin lid on 2020 was the last minute – but sadly essential – restrictions on Christmas and immediately after.

These restrictions, and the personal sacrifices so many people have made throughout the pandemic, are not easy, but they are vital if we want to continue to protect our NHS and save lives.

I want to send my deepest condolences to all those who have lost loved ones to this cruel virus. We must not lose sight of the individual lives behind the statistics and we must keep working together to ensure that we defeat this virus for good.

But as we say farewell to 2020, we should also take a moment to consider just how much we have all achieved in this most difficult of years.

Over the past few months, we have risen to the challenge of this new virus. Confronting it with collective resilience, compassion, and generosity.

I would like to thank everyone who has done so much this year.

Our frontline workers – from health care staff to supermarket workers, teachers and everyone in between – have been nothing short of heroic. Looking after the ill, supporting the vulnerable, and keeping the country going. They have been an inspiration to us all. And our armed forces have been magnificent, helping all parts of the country throughout the pandemic.

So many others have done their bit too. From picking up shopping and prescriptions for those who needed it, to organising spirit-lifting video chats and amazing charity fundraisers – individuals up and down the country have gone out of their way to look after friends, relatives, and neighbours, as well as strangers in need.

With vaccines now rolling out across the UK, we are starting to see light at the end of the covid tunnel. We can now look to 2021 with optimism and confidence, and make it a year of successful recovery and regeneration.

We have put in place the foundations to build back better from covid. From the New Year, with a great deal now in place with the EU, our coastal communities will flourish, and we will open up new global opportunities for Scottish businesses.

The UK Government will continue to drive forward its ambitious programme of economic growth, through city deals, our Union connectivity review, and new freeports across the UK. We will continue to lead the world on climate change and will bring the world to Glasgow for COP26 in November.

With the UK pulling together, 2021 will put us firmly on the road to recovery. The last thing we need in a year of opportunity is for Scotland to be mired in calls for another unwanted, divisive independence referendum. Now is not the time. Scottish people want instead to see the UK Government and the devolved administrations working together, in everyone’s best interest. We urge the Scottish Government to work with us to focus on supporting jobs and driving Scotland’s economic recovery.

As we begin this new chapter, my firm hope is that, UK-wide, we embrace the many opportunities ahead of us. I believe that our future is bright.

I wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year, and a better 2021.

• The Queen’s New Year Honours has recognised 153 people for their exceptional service to the UK overseas or internationally
• Awards recognise extraordinary people across a range of fields
• Recipients include Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton and cinematographer Roger Deakins, who worked on The Shawshank Redemption and Skyfall, among other films

The Overseas and International New Year 2021 Honours List published today recognises 153 extraordinary people in a wide range of fields. These include, business, charity and voluntary work, culture, development, education, foreign policy, health, security and sport.

Among those receiving awards this year is Formula One Driver Lewis Hamilton and cinematographer Roger Deakins, both of whom receive Knighthoods for their respective services to motorsport and film.

A number of honours this year recognise outstanding contributions overseas and internationally during the COVID-19 response, such as British Empire Medals awarded to Richard Barrow, a travel blogger in Thailand, David Cartwright, Managing Director of ATI Travel in Namibia and Nicholas Woolf, a volunteer paramedic in Vanuatu. All are recognised for their support to British nationals overseas.

Sir Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Head of the Diplomatic Service, said:

I congratulate everyone receiving an honour and thank them for their dedication and years of service.

The UK’s impact around the world depends on exceptional people like those recognised in this year’s Queen’s New Year Honours. We are grateful for their outstanding contribution.

Martin Gordon OBE

Founder and Chairman of the British charity Barry & Martin’s Trust, receives a CBE for services to people living with HIV and AIDS in China.

Martin Gordon is recognised for an exceptional contribution to supporting people living with HIV and AIDS in China and the positive impact that his work has had on UK/China relations.

Martin was awarded an OBE in 1994 for a lifetime of services to banking and finance. He then embarked on a second career of charitable service when he established the Barry & Martin’s Trust in 1996 in memory of his late partner Barry Chan, with the aim of building cooperation between the UK and China on HIV AIDS education, prevention, treatment and care.

Following Barry’s death from AIDS at the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, Martin wrote to the head of the unit to propose cooperation between the UK and China. This would be the start of over 20 years of dedicated work to improve care, bring about attitudinal change, and have the UK recognised as partner of choice in HIV and AIDS care as China embarked on a new phase of development.

On learning of his award, Martin Gordon said:

This award will be deeply felt by the doctors, nurses and HIV-positive volunteers who have worked with us in every province of China. It also recognises doctors and nurses from English and Scottish hospitals, who have helped with training in the UK and in China – an imperishable bond between our countries”.

Elizabeth Ruth Hughes

Chief Executive Officer, MapAction, receives an OBE for services to Humanitarian Crisis operations.

Elizabeth (Liz) Hughes is recognised for her exceptional contribution to humanitarian crisis operations. She has transformed the UK charity MapAction into a globally influential organisation.

MapAction is known for its technical excellence and value in providing real-time, critical mapping information for those responding to humanitarian crises. Under her leadership, the charity has not only expanded its deployment of professional volunteers to a growing number of world crises, but has also delivered an innovative programme, assisting many vulnerable countries to prepare for emergencies.

Liz has been an outstanding ambassador for the charity and the UK, personally developing relationships and partnerships with humanitarian organisations in Asia and the Pacific, Africa and the Caribbean, and winning funding support from the US, EU and European countries.

On learning of her award, Liz Hughes said:

It is an honour to receive this award, a leader is only as good as her team, so I receive it in honour of them and the recognition of their work for MapAction.

Suzanne Mooney

Founder and President of the Lost Food Project, receives an MBE for services to supporting disadvantaged communities in Malaysia.

Suzanne Mooney is recognised for her outstanding contribution to support disadvantaged communities in Malaysia through her work as the founder and former President of the pioneering charity The Lost Food Project (TLFP).

In April 2016, soon after arriving in Malaysia, Suzanne created and launched the TFLP, the first professional foodbank in the country. The project collects high quality surplus food from distributors, supermarkets and manufacturers and re-distributes it to over 70 local charities.

It is estimated that approximately 17,000 tonnes of food waste is thrown away in Malaysia every day. This ends up in landfill significantly increasing the level of greenhouse gases harming the environment. Seeing this opportunity, in their first four years, TLFP have provided nearly five million meals to those most in need including orphans, the elderly, refugees, women who have experienced abuse and single mothers.

Suzanne has exhibited tireless leadership of the project from its inception, managing and guiding its development and growth. Her work, and the efforts of her volunteer team, helped thousands of people in need and is changing the conversation about food waste and sustainability in Malaysia. Her success and dedication has made her a prominent ambassador for UK/Malaysia relations.

On learning on her award, Suzanne Mooney said:

I feel very honoured and privileged to work with an amazing team who care passionately about sustainability. The food supply chain is inefficient and generates a huge volume of surplus. By rescuing and redistributing ‘lost food’, we can help those most in need and significantly reduce the environmental damage caused by food disposal.

Barry Hamilton BEM

President of FAST charity, Camposol, Mazaron Spain, previously awarded a British Empire Medal in the military division, receives his second British Empire Medal, this time in the civilian division, for services to British nationals on Camposol, Mazarron, Spain.

Barry Hamilton is recognised for his outstanding contribution to support a community of approximately 4,000 British nationals living in Mazarron, Spain.

Leading the local charity FAST, Mr Hamilton has helped the organisation to provide the community which is a long way from health centres and hospitals, with support when there are medical emergencies. This essential service, and the strong links developed with other charities, has improved the lives of the local community. Mr Hamilton becomes a rare recipient of two British Empire Medals, having previously been awarded a medal in the military division in 1990 for his service in the Army.

On learning of his award, Barry Hamilton said:

I am greatly honoured and humbled to receive an award from the Queen in the New Years Honour’s List. Since leaving a long military career it has been my intention to help and assist the expat community using skills developed in the British Forces.

Having been previously honoured by the Queen during my military service it is unbelievable to be awarded again. I would like to thank my wife Annie, family, friends, Gordon Clive VP FAST and all FAST members for their support and assistance, this honour really belongs to them.

Dr Phillippa Spencer has been awarded the Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE), in recognition of her support to the UK’s decision makers by her application of maths to deliver consistent, assured data to prevent the loss of life through exposure to COVID-19, Novichok and Ebola.

Philippa said:

I am genuinely overwhelmed by the honour. The award recognises not only me, but an incredible team of people who provide vital support to so many collective efforts. I am beyond happy to have been nominated.

Dr Joanne Thwaite has been awarded the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE), which recognises her service to the NHS during COVID-19, in particular her selfless dedication carrying out repeated and sustained deployments to Hospital laboratories where she supported NHS staff dealing with an unprecedented increase of workload. Using her scientific skillset Joanne worked within diagnostic laboratories, from the very onset of the pandemic.

Joanne said:

I am humbled and excited to be nominated for this honour which also represents the dedication and professionalism of a team of other Dstl specialist microbiologists. I am proud to be a part of that team and that I could help NHS colleagues deliver life-saving care at this time of acute national health response

Dstl Military Adviser Lt Col Gareth Walker Royal Engineers (RE) also receives an OBE in recognition of his performance in command of 66 Works Group with responsibility for Defence’s specialist water, fuel and materials infrastructure capabilities. During a two and a half year period he led vital military support to natural disasters in the British Caribbean and extreme flooding events in the UK, as well as myriad operations and tasks worldwide.

I am absolutely delighted to be receiving this most prestigious award, and am incredibly grateful to those that nominated me. It is a privilege and honour to work in this amazing organisation that is home to some of the most talented people I have worked with. Dstl engineers, scientists and analysts are dedicated to developing and improving capabilities that are vital to the UK’s defence and security, and it is exciting to be part of a team that is redoubling its efforts to meet the future challenges and threats that we face.

We also congratulate Warrant Officer 1st Class (WO1) Ian Conolly, who has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list. Ian works as the Senior Acoustic Analyst within the Underwater Group at Dstl Portsdown West. The MSM is a very old medal, first established in the 1840s; there is a strict limit on the number of annual awards and it is now only awarded to non-commissioned officers who have provided unbroken “good, faithful and meritorious service.” The Royal Navy may recommend its award to no more than 49 recipients annually.

Dstl’s Chief Executive Gary Aitkenhead, said:

I offer my sincere congratulations to all those awarded. It gives me great pride to see our people recognised in this prestigious way. The awards are deserved recognition of dedication, professionalism and technical excellence.