An arts and culture champion, a population expert, and a New Forest MP are among those recognised for their societal contributions in the New Year Honours List 2023.
The annual list marks the incredible public service of individuals from across the UK.
Several people from Southampton and Hampshire have been recognised for their outstanding contributions.
Who's on the list?
Claire Whitaker OBE, member of the Culture Recovery Board, will receive a CBE for services to arts and culture.
Claire was involved in Southampton’s bid to become UK City of Culture earlier this year and will remain working in the city as CEO of the Southampton Culture Trust.
She said: “This was a huge surprise and I am delighted.
“It’s for my Culture Recovery Fund work, which organisations like Mayflower Theatre have benefitted from, and it’s amazing to be honoured for it.
“I am still very much staying in Southampton and am committed to the city.”
READ MORE: Full list of Hampshire people recognised in the New Year’s Honours
She added: “The opportunity to become involved in the Fund came after I started in Southampton.
“Cllr Satvir Kaur gave me permission to take part, and I am very grateful to my board and for Southampton City Council for giving me the opportunity.”
New Forest East MP Julian Lewis has also made an appearance on the list.
He will be awarded a knighthood for his political and public service.
Speaking on the news, Julian said: “Representing New Forest East allows me to serve our community locally whilst focusing on security and defence at a national level.
“Today’s recognition of that work is as generous as it is encouraging.”
This is the second such Honour for Professor Jane Falkingham, who was given an OBE in 2015 for services to social science.
The University of Southampton expert in population and international social policy has been awarded a CBE in this year’s Honours for her services to demographic research.
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Reacting to the news, Jane said: “I am delighted to receive a CBE in the new King’s first Honours list.
“I am especially proud to be recognised for my contribution to my own discipline of demography, which I fell in love with whilst an undergraduate, inspired by amazing teachers.
“This Honour reflects their early mentorship and the ongoing team achievements of my wonderful colleagues within the Centre for Population Change.
“I would like to express my sincere thanks to them all.”
A retiring Coastguard Rescue Officer who will be ‘missed terribly’ after more than 40 years of service has been recognised in the Honours.
Martin Rayner, who signed up as an Auxiliary Coastguard in April 1980, went on to play a key role in more than 2,000 rescues on the Isle of Wight, quickly becoming a vital part of the service.
During the great storm of 1987, Martin was among the first to hear a call to mobilise from Solent Coastguard.
He then spent the day helping people with the Ventnor team, before going on to assist with many more incidents in the years to follow.
He said: “I’m really honoured. My father was in the service before me so between us we have been a part of the Coastguard family for around 70 years.”
A former Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary Police Inspector is also being recognised in the Honours List.
Kelvin Shipp will receive the King's Police Medal after devoting over 40 years of his life to public service.
Throughout his career, he served in a wide range of roles, most recently as a Response and Patrol Team Inspector in Portsmouth until his retirement in March 2022.
The 62-year-old said: “I had absolutely no idea I was being nominated for this honour, so to find out about this after my retirement was very humbling.
“It's a tremendous honour.”
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