This year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours list has been announced today, and includes professionals in the museums and heritage sectors recognised for their contribution.
Among them is Bernard Donoghue, Director of Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, who has been awarded an OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire).
Donohgue was selected ‘for services to tourism and to culture’ recognising his work and advocacy for UK tourism and his non-executive roles in the cultural sector.
Bernard has been Director of ALVA since 2011 and represents the sector on the UK Government’s Tourism Industry Council.
Last year he won the Museum and Heritage COVID Special Recognition Award for his leadership of, and support to the sector during the COVID pandemic.
Donoghue is also the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Bristol Old Vic theatre and People’s History Museum and is Chair of the National Trust’s Regional Advisory Board for London and the South East.
The awards also recognised Iain Watson with an OBE for services to Culture and to the community in North East England. Watson was the Director Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums until last year, and was previously senior curator of the Great North Museum: Hancock. Watson is a Visiting Professor at Newcastle University.
Also recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours is Miranda Lowe, Principal Curator of Crustacea at the Natural History Museum. Lowe has been awarded a CBE (Commander of the British Empire).
Responsible for scientific research through her work with marine specimens over the last 30 years at the Museum, Lowe has become a change-maker in the wider museum sector.
Her work with Museum Detox has campaigned for diversity and inclusion in the museum workforce, collections and audiences. As a member of the Museums Association’s Decolonisation Guidance Working Group, she has also shared her knowledge of the impact and legacy of empire in natural science collections and how uncovering hidden histories can allow the telling of these multi-layered stories.
Lowe CBE said: “I am delighted and humbled to receive such an honour. My sincere thanks to all those who supported and believed in me and the work that I do in the heritage, culture, science, and arts sector and beyond.”
Chairman of the Victoria and Albert Museum Nicholas Coleridge CBE has been awarded a CBE. Coleridge has been Chairman since 2015, having been a trustee from 2012 to 2015. It is the second CBE he has received. This year, Coleridge has been recognised for services to Museums, to Publishing and to the Creative Industries.
For services to museums, Caroline Howell has been awarded an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire). Howell is the Director of London’s Foundling Museum.
Michael Loomes, Founder and Curator of The Story of Scouting Museum has been awarded an MBE for voluntary services to Young People and to the community in Lancashire.
Phil Phillips, New Media Development Manager at National Museums Liverpool has been awarded an MBE for his services to museums and science.
Roger Pickett of Essex Fire and Rescue Service and the Founder and Curator of Essex Fire Museum has been awarded an MBE for services to the community in Essex.
Recognition in the heritage sector saw OBEs awarded to Joyce Fraser, the Founder of Black Heroes Foundation for services to the Promotion of Black History and Heritage.
Jane Gibson, Chair of Spirit of 2012, the London 2012 Olympics legacy funder has been awarded an OBE for services to Volunteering, to Heritage and to the Arts.
Also awarded an OBE is Ingrid Samuel, the Historic Environment Director at the National Trust, and formerly Acting Chair of The Heritage Alliance. Samuel was recognised for services to Heritage.
David Tomback, Development Economics Director at Historic England was awarded an OBE for services to Heritage.
Eleanor Semlyen, Founding Trustee of Yorkshire Air Museum and Allied Air Forces Memorial, has been awarded an MBE for services to Heritage.
Lindsay Collier, Founder and Trustee of The Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum and Founder and Chair, Lea Valley Heritage Alliance has been awarded an MBE for services to Heritage in the London Borough of Waltham Forest.
Janet Bell, Director of Glastonbury Abbey has been awarded an MBE for services to Heritage.
Nicholas Robert Pellew Groves-Raines, the Director of Groves-Raines Architects has been awarded an MBE for services to Architecture, Heritage and Conservation.
