Leading figures in the North East business community have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List.
Jen Hartley, director of Invest Newcastle at NewcastleGateshead Initiative, has received an MBE for services to business and trade. The honour comes after Ms Hartley attracted a significant amount of inward investment to Newcastle and the wider North East.
She said: “I’m blown away to receive such a recognition for a job that I love and feel so passionately about. My role allows me to represent, what I consider to be, the best city and region there is and one that I’m proud to call home. Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to work with the most incredible teams and partners, all of which deserve this award as much as I do.”
Read more: the big names taking honours in this year’s King’s Birthday honours list Keep up to date with all the latest breaking news and top stories from the North East with our free newsletter There was also an MBE for Harry Wilson, chair of South Shields firm UK Docks.
He said: “I’d heard whispers a while ago but nothing seemed to happen so I assumed nothing would and it came as a complete surprise when the letter from the Palace dropped through the door.
“I had thought at 82 I might be past my sell-by date but it’s a wonderful thing to receive! It’s a great honour to be given and I look forward to collecting it, although I don’t know yet when that will be.”
Patrick Melia, chief executive of Sunderland City Council
Port of Blyth Chief Executive Martin Lawlor (Image: handout) There was an OBE for Sunderland City Council chief executive Patrick Melia, who has been instrumental in developments at the Nissan plant and the Crown Works studio that will bring thousands of jobs to Wearside.
A former leader at North Tyneside Council, he said: “As a 16-year-old school leaver, I could never have dreamt how 40 years later I would be honoured in this way.
“I do genuinely believe that this is a wider tribute to the many people who have helped me, shaped me and guided me over the years, and especially those I have been lucky enough to work with. I have always felt very proud of our region, always been driven by a sense of service to those around me, and always wanted to help ensure that everybody gets more opportunities and that together we can all help make the North East an even better place to live and work in.”
Martin Lawlor, chief executive at the Port of Blyth, is also awarded an OBE for services to ports, maritime and the offshore energy industry, while the same honour also goes to David Parks, founder and managing director of The Skill Mill. Michael Dickson, chairman of South Shields butchery firm Dicksons, receives an MBE for services to the food industry and the community.
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