The New Year’s Honours List in recognition of the achievements of a wide range of extraordinary people right across the United Kingdom included some members of the ethnic minorities.
Recipients from the British ethnic communities receive congratulatory messages from family members and friends as the news spread. In total 1,196 people received various awards. 1,044 candidates have been selected at BEM, MBE and OBE level. 329 at BEM, 472 at MBE and 243 at OBE; 76% of the recipients are people who have undertaken outstanding work in their communities either in a voluntary or paid capacity.
There are 578 successful women candidates in the List, representing 48% of the total; 5.7% of the successful candidates come from ethnic minority backgrounds and 7.5% of the successful candidates consider themselves to have a disability under the Equality Act 2010.
Among the well-known names being honoured there is a Companion of Honour to Sir Roy Strong for his outstanding contribution to UK cultural life; a knighthood for champion jump jockey, AP McCoy; a knighthood for former television journalist, Martyn Lewis, for his service to the voluntary and charitable sector; a knighthood for the choreographer, Matthew Bourne; a CBE for Denis Law for services to football and to charity; a CBE for Francis Lee for services to football and to charity; an OBE for sports commentator, Sue Barker; an OBE for singer-songwriter, Damon Albarn; an OBE for actor, James Nesbitt; an OBE for actor, David Oyelowo; an OBE for actor, Idris Elba; an OBE for cyclist, Chris Froome; an OBE for snooker player, Ronnie O’Sullivan; and an MBE to sports broadcaster, Jacqui Oatley.
British Africans on the list include Ms Oluwayemisi Olivia JENKINS Officer, Border Force, Home Office. Honoured with MBE for services to Border Security and Wellbeing in the Workplace in Grays, Essex. The Reverend Kwaku FRIMPONG-MANSON for services to the community in Tottenham, London. Ms Ronke OKE founder and director, Emi & Ben Natural (Ronke Ige) Skincare. For services to Business and charity in London.
The list cuts across philanthropy, Parliamentary, Education, Health, Industry and the Economy, Science and Technology, Law & Order and Sport.
