People from Brighton and Hove recognised in Queen’s birthday honours list

More than half a dozen Brighton and Hove people have been recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

They include police and crime commissioner Katy Bourne, Brighton and Hove Buses manager Victoria Garcia, former hospital boss Mike Viggers and Brighton and Hove’s head of libraries Sally McMahon.

They are joined by an innovator in radio technology, Rashid Mustapha, pianist Joanna MacGregor, Sightsavers director Dominic Haslam and former Brighton and Hove Albion footballer Chris Ramsey.

Victoria Garcia has been made an MBE – a Member of the Order of the British Empire – for making it easier for disabled people to get around by bus.

Her boss at Brighton and Hove Buses – managing director Martin Harris – said that she was inspirational and influential as, increasingly, the entire bus industry takes up her ideas.

Ms Garcia thanked all those who had helped her and said: “To receive this personal honour for working with these amazing people is overwhelming and humbling.

“My only regret is that my mother wasn’t here for this as she had such respect for the Queen. It would have made her very proud.”

Katy Bourne has been made an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for public and political service.

Mrs Bourne, 54, was also described as inspiring, by Brighton anti-stalking campaigner Claudia Ortiz, who said that her leadership was saving lives.

The police and crime commissioner has spoken out about her personal experience of stalking and harassment and has called on police forces to improve their support for victims.

The Conservative politician, who was educated in Brighton, said that her award was a “testament to the hard work of the team in my office who support me”.

Mrs Bourne added: “I would like to thank them and also every single police officer, PCSO and police staff member in Sussex for working so tirelessly to keep us all safe.”

Sally McMahon has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to libraries. She is the head of libraries and information services for Brighton and Hove City Council.

She praised the work of her fellow library staff and said: “I am thrilled to have been awarded the British Empire Medal for my contribution to libraries.

“My love of libraries started when I was at school and throughout my career I have been passionate about them.

“I have always sought to deliver the best service possible and promote the positive impact of libraries on local people.”

Council leader Nancy Platts said: “Sally’s honour is well deserved and a tribute to her dedication and commitment.”

Mike Viggers becomes an MBE for services to the NHS after chairing two local hospital trusts until he retired last year.

Mr Viggers, 66, a former operations director of Parker Pens, in Newhaven, chaired the board of Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust which runs the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

BSUH also runs the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital and the Sussex Eye Hospital, both in Brighton, and the Princess Royal Hospital, in Haywards Heath.

When he took over in Brighton, Mr Viggers continued to chair Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust which runs Southlands Hospital, Shoreham, Worthing General and St Richard’s Hospital, in Chichester.

He was previously the deputy chairman of the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

Mr Viggers said: “Working with so many dedicated and caring people at Western Sussex and BSUH was the most rewarding experience of my working life and I feel humbled to be receiving this award on their behalf.”

Dame Marianne Griffiths, the chief executive of Brighton’s hospitals trust as well as Western, was herself honoured by the Queen in the new year list.

She said: “We are all delighted to hear that Mike has been awarded an MBE.

“It’s a well-deserved recognition of his dedication and service to the NHS and his contribution to improving the quality of patient care we offer here at BSUH.”

Dominic Haslam – known as Dom – becomes an OBE for services to people with disabilities. He is the director of policy and programme strategy at the international charity Sightsavers and chairs the International Disability and Development Consortium.

Mr Haslam, 47, of Carlyle Street, Brighton, said: “I am hugely excited to receive this honour on behalf of the work Sightsavers, this fantastic organisation, does.”

The father of two joined the charity 13 years ago and has spent more than 20 years working in international development.

He said: “In the 20 years I’ve been in the sector one lesson I have learned well is that our greatest achievements come when we work together.

“My hope is that this award is a small but clear piece of evidence that, due to our combined efforts, the rights of people with disabilities across the globe are being taken more seriously than ever before.”

Rashid Mustapha – known as Rash – becomes an MBE for services to radio broadcasting. The Ofcom engineer’s innovative approach was personally commended by former government minister Ed Vaizey.

Mr Mustapha, 44, carried out the first test of small-scale digital audio broadcasting (DAB) in the country in Brighton.

The success of his work has reduced costs and created opportunities for local and community broadcasters.

His achievements and determination have already been recognised by his peers. Last September he earned a Digital Radio Hall of Fame award.

Joanna MacGregor becomes a CBE for services to music. The concert pianist is also a conductor and composer who is currently head of piano at the Royal Academy of Music and a professor at London University.

Ms MacGregor, 59, of St George’s Road, Brighton, is also the artistic director of the International Summer School and Festival at Dartington Hall.

Former Brighton and Hove Albion footballer Chris Ramsey becomes an MBE for services to football and diversity in sport.

The 57-year-old former defender joined Brighton in 1980 when they were in the old First Division – now the Premier League.

He played in the FA Cup final against Manchester United in 1983 and a year later he left for Swindon Town.

Since then he has managed the England Under-20 side, coached at Tottenham Hotspur and took over for a while at Queen’s Park Rangers where he is now technical director.