York and North Yorkshire people awarded in New Year Honours

A leading figure in York’s business community, David Dickson, was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

“It’s a great privilege, it really is,” said Mr Dickson, who chaired St Leonard’s Hospice after a successful business career.

David Dickson (Image: Duncan Lomax)

Emeritus professor of the history of Christianity at the University of York, Dee Dyas, was made an OBE for services to theology and to heritage.

And Network Rail’s north west and central managing director, Robert Davis McIntosh, was made an OBE for services to the Railway in northern England.

Meanwhile, entrepreneur and investor Richard Harpin, from Harrogate, was knighted for his services to politics.

The 61-year-old University of York graduate is the man behind Homeserve, one of the UK’s largest home emergency businesses.

He was previously one of the Conservative Party’s biggest donors but the Guardian reported in April that Mr Harpin had stopped funding the party.

Recognition in the honours was also given to York City Rowing Club coach, Phil Jones, who was a medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM).

Phil Jones, left, who was a coach at York City Rowing Club junior coach for more than 20 years (Image: Supplied)

Mr Jones was a junior coach at the club and served as its secretary for more than 20 years.

“I have enjoyed helping people to develop and learn,” he said after being nominated for a Press Community Pride Award in 2023 .

Long-serving North Yorkshire foster carer Ruth Ive was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

“Foster carers do a wonderful, valuable job, often under very trying circumstances,” the 67-year-old said, adding: “I do not feel that I particularly deserve this award more than any other carer.”

Ruth Ive, who lives with her husband, Andy, in Burton-in-Lonsdale on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, has received an MBE for her contribution to foster care (Image: North Yorkshire Council)

Caroline Jane Bayliss was made an MBE for services to the community in Harrogate and North Yorkshire.

Professor Divine Charura, professor of counselling psychology at York St John University, was made an MBE for services to inclusion and to the advancement of counselling and psychotherapy in research and practice.

Dr Ava Maria Easton, chief executive of Encephalitis International, was made an MBE services to people affected by Encephalitis, an uncommon but serious condition in which the brain becomes inflamed.

“I hope this recognition can help highlight encephalitis, a condition that can change lives in an instant, and encourages more support, research, and understanding,” said Dr Easton, from Malton.

Dr Ava Maria Easton, chief executive of Encephalitis International (Image: Supplied)

The Department of Health’s public health strategic advisor, Professor Brian Angus Ferguson, from York, was made an MBE for services to public health research.

Professor Avtar Singh Matharu, professor of chemistry at the University of York, was made an MBE for services to equality, diversity and inclusion and to interfaith and community cohesion.

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Kambiz Ramzan Ali was made an MBE for services to the sport of Taekwondo and the community in Harrogate.

Miriam Elisabeth Wilcox and Terence John Wilcox, co-founders of In2Out, a Wetherby-based charity helping young prison leavers, were made MBEs for services to reducing reoffending and to young people.

Andrew Kevin Windass, a senior engineer with AGH Engineering Ltd, was made an MBE for services to rail engineering.

And Claire Hall was made an MBE for services to the community in Ryedale.