New Year Honours list announced with devoted volunteers, councillors and pillars of the community recognised

Havant’s Beverley Anne Stotesbury, who has been part of St John Ambulance for over five decades, has been awarded with an British Empire Medal after being recognised on the New Year Honours list. The first aider joined the medical service as a teenager, with inspiration stemming from her grandad who was part of the first aid service during the war.

Lorie Coffey, co-founder of Project 71, has said she is “so excited” to be the recipient of a British Empire medal after launching a WW2 veteran support group 11 years ago. The group not only takes veterans to commemorative locations across Europe, but it also hosts monthly events and fundraises for memorial plaques.

She said: “When the letter came, I shouted and screamed and cried all at the same time because I didn’t know what emotion to feel. Never in a million years did I think that this would happen.”

Havant councillor, Liz Fairhurst, has been made an MBE for her service to adult social care.

The executive lead member for adult social care and public health, said: “I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition. It is a privilege to serve in this role, but I want to emphasise that this award reflects the outstanding work of every member of our Adults’ Health and Care team.

“Every day, our care workers, social workers, and support teams demonstrate extraordinary commitment, compassion, and professionalism - often in challenging circumstances.

"This tribute is a testament to their dedication and the difference they make in people’s lives. I extend my sincere thanks to each and every one of them. Their efforts ensure that dignity, independence, and wellbeing remain at the heart of our services, and I am proud to stand alongside them.”

Full list of Hampshire recipients:

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire

• Margaret Ewing. Non-Executive Director, ITV. For services to Finance. (Lymington, Hampshire)
• Ian Graham King. Lately Chief Executive Officer, BAE Systems and Lead Non-Executive Director, Department for Transport. For services to the Transport and Defence Sectors. (Fareham, Hampshire)
• Kim Wilkie. Landscape Architect. For services to Landscape Architecture. (Bishop’s Waltham, Hampshire)

Officers of the Order of the British Empire

• Saffron Cordery. Lately Deputy Chief Executive Officer, NHS Providers. For services to the NHS. (Basingstoke, Hampshire)
• Julie Feest. Chief Executive Officer, Engineering Development Trust. For services to Young People. (Southampton, Hampshire)
• Dr Philip Robert Henry Ind. Senior Engineering Manager, AWE plc. For services to Defence. (Tadley, Hampshire)
• Mark Kenneth Russell. Chief Executive Officer, The Children’s Society. For services to Charity. (Fleet, Hampshire)

Members of the Order of the British Empire

• Aimee Louise Anderson. Project Leader, Ministry of Defence. For services to Defence. (Fareham, Hampshire)
• Peter Robert Boyd-Smith. Maritime Historian. For services to British Maritime History and to the community in Southampton. (Lymington, Hampshire)
• Anne Elizabeth Fairhurst. Executive Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, Hampshire County Council. For services to Adult Social Care. (Havant, Hampshire)
• David Jeremy Higlett. Lately Universal Credit Policy Lead, Department for Work and Pensions. For services to Welfare Reform. (Southampton, Hampshire)
• Dr Michael John Marsh. Lately South West Regional Medical Director, NHS England. For services to the NHS. (Lyndhurst, Hampshire)
• Stella Maureen Neaves. Hampshire West County Badge Secretary, Girlguiding South West England. For services to Girlguiding. (Eastleigh, Hampshire)
• Sarah Rosemary Silver. Head of Safeguarding, Tiney UK. For services to Early Years Education. (Lymington, Hampshire)
• Phillip John Edward Spencer. Patron, St Mungo’s. For Charitable Service. (Hampshire)
• Marion Elizabeth Maxey. For services to Young People and to Music. (Romsey, Hampshire)
• Dr Colin Allen Mercer. For services to the community in Botley, Hampshire. (Botley, Hampshire)
• Maria Moore. For services to the community in Southampton, Hampshire. (Southampton, Hampshire)
• Elaine Smith. Chief of Staff, Royal Navy Develop Directorate. For services to Defence and to Charitable Fundraising. (Southampton, Hampshire)

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

• Kim Marcelle Quaintrell. Head of Reducing Reoffending, HM Prison Winchester, HM Prison and Probation Service. For Public Service. (Portsmouth, Hampshire)

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

• Lorie Coffey. For services to War Commemoration. (Portsmouth, Hampshire)
• Beverley Anne Stotesbury. Volunteer, St John Ambulance Hampshire. For Voluntary Service to Community First Aid. (Fareham, Hampshire)