The 19 brilliant Newcastle and Tyneside figures on King’s New Years Honours List

A total of 19 brilliant people based in Newcastle, Gateshead and across Tyneside have been recognised with a place on the King's New Year's Honours list for 2023.

The figures come from a wide range of backgrounds, such as childcare, art, education, public service and activism.

Some households in the North East will recognise some of the names, whilst others have been doing vital and life-changing work in the background of society and are having a well-deserved light shone on their efforts.

As always, there are a number of big names on the Honours list from across the UK, including Queen guitarist Brian May and England Lionesses stars Leah Williamson, Lucy Bronze, Beth Mead and Ellen White.

Perhaps the most prominent accolade in the North East goes to the elected mayor of North Tyneside Dame Norma Redfearn, acknowledged for her political and public service.

Dame Redfearn said: "I am shocked and delighted to have received this prestigious award and recognition, I don’t think it has quite sunk in yet.

“It is wonderful to be recognised for a job that I have been elected to do by the residents of North Tyneside, a Borough, its communities, and neighbourhoods that I am incredibly proud to serve each and every day.

"This award needs to be shared with my colleagues, our officers at the Council who work incredibly hard on behalf of our residents and the voluntary and community sector organisations that provide support to our most vulnerable residents, without all of you my role would not be possible, and I would not have received such an honour. Their work has been particularly vital during the difficult times we have all lived through over the past few years and it fills me with an incredible sense of pride when I see what a difference they make to the lives of people across North Tyneside.

“I know my family and friends will be as equally delighted to hear this news and I would like to thank them all for their continued support, finally a big thanks to everyone who has already been in touch with kind wishes and celebratory messages.”

Have a look at the full list of local people named on the King's New Year's Honours List 2023.

Dame Norma Redfearn, CBE

• Mayor, North Tyneside Council
• For Political and Public Service.
• North Shields

Professor Christopher Day, CBE

• Vice Chancellor and President, Newcastle University.
• For services to Health Research and Treatment.
• North Shields

Beverley Rose Robinson, CBE

• Principal and Chief Executive, Blackpool and The Fylde College.
• For services to Further Education.
• Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Smajo Beso, OBE

• Educator, Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.
• For services to Genocide Education and Commemoration.
• Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Geoffrey Mark Hodgson, OBE

• Chair, Blyth Harbour Commission.
• For services to the UK Ports Sector and to the Economy in North East England.
• Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Simon Taylor, OBE

• Chief Executive Officer, Three Rivers Trust.
• For services to Education.
• Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Dr Andrew Welch, OBE

• Medical Director, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
• For services to Healthcare and Patients in North East England.
• Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Sarah Jane Cookson, MBE

• Co-Founder, The Charlie and Carter Foundation.
• For Voluntary and Charitable Services.
• South Shields

Susan Elizabeth Guhlam, MBE

• For services to Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
• Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Sally Ann Ingram, MBE

• Director, Student Health and Wellbeing Services, Newcastle University.
• For services to Student Mental Health and Wellbeing.
• Jarrow

Sophie Clare Milliken, MBE

• Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Moja Group.
• For services to Business and to Education
• Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Eugene Michael Gerard Milne, MBE

• Lately Director of Public Health, Newcastle City Council.
• For services to Public Health and Wellbeing.
• Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Sarah Munroe, MBE

• Director, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art.
• For services to Art.
• Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Professor Roy Taylor, MBE

• Emeritus Professor of Medicine and Metabolism in Translational and Clinical Research, Newcastle University.
• For services to Diabetic Research.
• Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Hilary Judith Cooper, MBE

• Girlguiding Leader, School Governor and Volunteer.
• For services to Young People and to Education.
• Monkseaton

Jean Devlin, MBE

• Group Scout Leader, South Tyneside District.
• For services to Young People in South Tyneside and Sunderland.
• Jarrow

Heather McKenna, MBE

• Childminder, Tyne and Wear.
• For services to Early Years Education and to the community in Tyne and Wear.
• Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Paula Marie Reid, MBE

• Head, Business Management Team, Department for Work and Pensions.
• For Voluntary and Charitable Services, particularly during Covid-19.
• Newcastle-upon-Tyne

• Lately Operations Manager, Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
• For services to Young People.
• Gateshead