NUH Chief Executive and Vicky McClure included in the King’s Birthday Honours list

The Chief Executive of Nottingham University Hospitals and actor Vicky McClure are amongst Nottinghamshire residents on the King's Birthday Honours list.

The list, published on June 16, reveals that Nottingham University Hospitals Chief Executive Anthony May has been awarded an OBE while actor Vicky McClure has been awarded an MBE.

An OBE is awarded to individuals who have made major contributions at a local level, or whose work has gained a national profile. It is the second highest ranking award behind the rank of Commander (CBE).

The honours mark the achievements and service of 'extraordinary people' across the United Kingdom. Along with the New Year Honours, the Birthday Honours are the most significant announcements of civilian and military gallantry awards.

Mr May's award is for his previous role as Chief Executive at Nottinghamshire County Council. The medal was awarded to him for services to Local Government.

Anthony was one of the longest-serving chief executives of Nottinghamshire County Council, responsible for its £1.1 billion budget and 18,000 staff.

Mr May said: "I am humbled to have been awarded an OBE for my work in local government. I want to dedicate this honour to all those who work in local government, serving their communities, day in day out.

"My focus now is on my new job at NUH, but I am proud of my career in local government, and sincerely grateful to those colleagues who took the time and trouble to nominate me."

41 residents from the East Midlands were recognised in this year's Birthday Honours List.

Residents Gillian Hagen and Ezekiel Abiodun Awoyomi were awarded BEMs.

Mr Awoyomi, a retired Inspector with the British Transport Police from Worksop, was awarded the BEM for services to Policing and to Young People.

The 63-year-old said he was so shocked to receive the honour that he thought it was a scam.

He was directly involved in the London bombings of 2007 and received a Chief Constable's commendation for his work at the scene of the Aldgate bombing.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "The first I knew of the award was I got a letter from the cabinet office and I thought it was a prank or a scam.

"I did some digging and realised it was genuine, I was so shocked and surprised. I think someone from my force nominated me."

The former inspector explained how he was part of the first response to the 7/7 bombings in London which killed 56 people and injured more than 700.

He said: "That experience has really affected me. Seeing people injured was traumatic."

He added: "A big part of my career was spent in custody as a sergeant and an inspector. It gave me the opportunity to speak to people who were first-time offenders.

"I've had one or two tell me thank you for the advice, they have changed their ways. It makes me happy to realise I've helped people along the way."

And Gillian Hagen BEM, was described as an "active community champion since 1995" was recognised for resolving issues for many local residents.

The 73-year-old was awarded the BEM for services to the community in Blidworth, Nottinghamshire.

In 1996 she set up a support group for local mothers struggling with their young people's addictions. She also created a voluntary transport service and a food aid service in her local area.

She said: "I was absolutely amazed when I found out because I had no idea that anybody had put me forward.

"I've always been involved in community engagement and when Covid hit, I pulled together a group and we managed to get voluntary transport for appointments.

"I retired due to disability in 2011 but my voluntary work keeps me going every day.

"My family are so proud because they lived through the fact that I've worked with communities."

King's Birthday Honours: Nottingham and Nottinghamshire awards 

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Anthony James May, Lately Chief Executive, Nottinghamshire County Council. For services to Local Government

Katherine Ruth Abbott, Capability and Performance Management Lead, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. For services to Human Resources and Mental Health

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Vicky Lee McClure, actor. For services to Drama and to Charity

Penelope Jane Taylor, Head, Newark College and Air and Space Institute. For services to Skills and Employment in Newark and Sherwood, Nottinghamshire

Barbara Mary Maddison, Honorary Vice-President, National Council of Women of Great Britain. For services to Young Women

William Eric Brown, Lately Museums National Security Adviser

Dr Andrew Paul Haynes, Lately Specialist Adviser to the Board, Sherwood Forest NHS Foundation Trust and Non-Executive Director, University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust. For services to Health and to the NHS in Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire

David Henry Williams, DL Vice Chair, D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership and Chairman, Geldards LLP. For services to Business and to the Economy in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

Gillian Hagen, For services to the community in Blidworth, Nottinghamshire

Ezekiel Abiodun Awoyomi, Inspector, British Transport Police. For services to Policing and to Young People

Alan Christopher Henshaw, Team Leader, Environment Agency National Coarse Fish Farm. For services to the Environment and to Freshwater Fisheries