Devon heroes recognised in King's New Year's honours

16 community champions make coveted list

Multiple Devon residents have been recognised in the King's 2025 New Years Honours List. 

16 community champions from across the county from all different fields are being celebrated. The Honours at the end of the year recognise people for services and achievements in all kinds of sectors like community work, education and charity. 

Among them, two have been awarded the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), with one receiving the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). 

Three Devon residents have been named Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), while 10 have earned the British Empire Medal (BEM) for their services.

Senior Met Office scientist, Professor Stephen Ernest Belcher, from the region and leads programmes at the Exeter site has been appointed Commander of Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to climate science. 

Another Devon resident being recognised with a CBE is Martin Lynn-Davies, who's chair of the Honiton based charity Cosmic. He is being recognised with a Commander of Order of the British Empire for services to employment provision for people with disabilities. 

Jonathan Bishop, who's chief executive officer and executive head teacher of Cornerstone Academy Trust, has been appointed an OBE for services to education. 

Another inspiring Devon resident being honoured is Royal Navy Warrant Officer, Angie Cheal from Plymouth who has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for dedicating time to help Royal Marines and sailors recovering from injuries and serious illnesses. 

Professor Christopher Jeremy Tredwin, the former head of the Peninsula Dental School in Exeter will receive an MBE for services to general practice.

The Chief Executive of South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, Vanessa Claire Ford has been appointed an MBE for services to health nursing.

One of the oldest people being recognised in the King's 2025 New Years honours list is 90-year-old David Rodney from Exmouth who is the western area president of the British Judo Association,  receives a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to judo.

More Devon residents receiving BEMs include:

• Charlotte Anne Luckett, principal surveyor at the Valuation Office Agency, has been awarded the BEM for public service and charitable works
• David Harry Stembridge KC, has been awarded the BEM for services to the community in Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo
• Diane Mary Fuller, former chair of Sidmouth Health and Care Forum, awarded the BEM for services to the community in Sid Valley
• Victoria Louise Seymour, former tutor at Somerset Skills and Learning, awarded the BEM for services to skills
• John Vincent, owner of The Network – Tackling Social Exclusion, awarded the BEM for services to public libraries
• Commodore Stephen Thorne RD. awarded, the BEM for services to the community in Dorset
• Gillian Rebecca Ainslie, tutor and assessor at Plymouth Life Centre Bowls Club, awarded the BEM for services to the community
• Samantha Louise Abrahams has been awarded the BEM for her choir group, La La Choirs, which promotes singing as a way to improve mental health
• And Lesley-Ann Simpson Simpson who is the leader of Derriford Hospital-based charity The Chestnut Appeal for Men's Health has been awarded the BEM for giving thousands of awareness talks and provided free prostate cancer testing across the region

 The honours system:

•    Companion of Honour - Limited to 65 people. Recipients wear the initials CH after their name
•    Knight or Dame
•    CBE - Commander of the Order of the British Empire
•    OBE - Officer of the Order of the British Empire
•    MBE - Member of the Order of the British Empire
•    BEM - British Empire Medal