People from across Bradford named in New Year Honours list

PEOPLE from across the Bradford district have spoken about being “overwhelmed” and “humbled” after being named in the King’s New Year Honours list.  Among those on the list, which was announced today, are two Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture directors, two employees at Hanson Academy in Bradford, the director of the National Science and Media Museum and John Robins, the Chief Constable for West Yorkshire Police, who was awarded a knighthood.

With Bradford about to conclude its City of Culture year, two directors who have spearheaded the initiative have been awarded MBEs for their services to culture.  Dan Bates, Executive Director of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, said: “I am thrilled and humbled to have been nominated for this honour.  Working on Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture has been a huge privilege and a career highlight.  We’ve had an incredible year, and that’s down to our brilliant team who have delivered so much for the city and district.  The people of Bradford have welcomed this designation with open arms, and I am excited to see what’s next for culture in the region.”

Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, said: “This honour isn’t just for me it also marks the work of all my remarkable colleagues.  I am so proud of the work that the Bradford 2025 team have delivered in the lead up to and throughout this extraordinary year of art and culture.  The people of our city and district have completely owned this year, which has been a privilege and a delight to witness.  I am grateful and humbled by this recognition.”

Jo Quinton-Tulloch, who took over as Director of the National Science and Media Museum in 2012, was awarded an OBE for her service to the arts.  The museum director said: “Receiving this OBE is an extraordinary honour and I feel very humbled. It is also a reflection of the amazing people I’ve had the privilege to work with, and I wouldn’t be here without all my exceptional colleagues.”

Bradford man Balbir Singh, Artistic Director of Balbir Singh Dance Company, was awarded a MBE for his services to dance.  He said: “To be named in the King’s Honours List is both humbling and deeply meaningful.  It’s a moment of reflection as much as recognition. Growing up and living in Bradford has shaped who I am.  The city’s people, its spirit and resilience have been inspiring to me.  To receive this honour while remaining rooted here makes it very special, because it feels like a recognition of the community too.”

Also receiving a MBE is Keighley native Ellie Kildunne for her services to rugby union football.  The England full back was crucial to the Red Roses’ autumn triumph, scoring a fabulous solo try as England beat Canada to win the World Cup final at Twickenham.

Two staff members at Hanson Academy, on Swain House Road, were each awarded a BEM.  Cindy Sutcliffe, of Bradford, and Kelly Clarke, of Halifax, who both work at Hanson as inclusion managers, were recognised for their services to education.  Cindy said: “I’m speechless. You don’t think you’re going to receive something so significant for doing your job to help children and families. I’m still in shock.  I’m just a girl from a council estate in Allerton. I’ve not had the easiest of times. I’ve had to fight for everything.  The school has had such a significant turnaround with the leadership of the Delta Trust and Principal Sam Sheedy. To be credited in any part of that is amazing.  Kelly and I have worked as hard as everyone else. The staff have all been so supportive.  The school is just so different now. You walk in and it’s such a calm school.”

Kelly said: “I’m very overwhelmed. It’s an absolute honour and was so unexpected. Not in my wildest did I think I’d be given an award.  It means so much because I went to Hanson as a child and I’ve been working at the school ever since I finished at Liverpool John Moores University 13 years ago.  The school which has always inspired me has had such a remarkable transformation.  It’s been all heart, long hours and many tears, but it’s been so nice to give back to the local community.  Working with Delta (Trust) and Sam (Sheedy) has been a privilege. I can’t wait to celebrate with my colleagues.  It brings me so much emotion. It’s starting to hit home now.”

The King’s New Years Honours list includes:

Knights Bachelor

John Patrick Robins QPM DL. Chief Constable, West Yorkshire Police. For services to Policing. (Yorkshire)

OBE

Joanne Elizabeth Quinton-Tulloch. Director, National Science and Media Museum. For services to the Arts. (Keighley)

MBE

Lorna Lee Armitage. Co-Founder, Capslock. For services to Cyber Security. (Bingley)

Daniel Bates. Executive Director, Bradford Culture Company. For services to Culture in Bradford. (Sheffield)

Professor Divine Charura. Professor of Counselling Psychology, York St John University. For services to Inclusion and to the Advancement of Counselling and Psychotherapy in Research and Practice. (Birstall)

Ellie Kildunne, from Keighley. For services to Rugby Union Football.

Shanaz Begum Gulzar. Creative Director, Bradford Culture Company. For services to Culture in Bradford. (Keighley)

David John Gurney. Chief Executive Officer, Cockburn Multi-Academy Trust, Leeds. For services to Education. (Bradford)

Henri Murison. Chief Executive, The Northern Powerhouse Partnership. For services to the Economy. (Ilkley)

Balbir Singh. Artistic Director, Balbir Singh Dance Company. For services to Dance. (Bradford)

Margaret Anne Wood. Lately Director of Nursing and Quality, Practice Plus Group. For services to Patients in Health and Justice Systems. (Keighley)

BEM

Roger Paul Butterfield. For services to the community in Bradford, West Yorkshire. (Bradford)

Susan Lynne Raymond. Interview Manager, Office for National Statistics. For services to Statistics. (Ilkley)

Cindy Marie Sutcliffe. Inclusion Manager, Hanson Academy, Bradford, West Yorkshire. For services to Education. (Bradford)

Kelly Clarke. Inclusion Manager, Hanson Academy, Bradford. For services to Education. (Halifax)

Lloyd Anthony Thompson. Founder and Director, Tranquil Productions and Tech Styles International. For services to Young People and to the community in Bradford through Hip Hop and Dance. (Bradford)