Sussex residents named in Queen's Birthday Honours list

People across Sussex have been recognised by the Queen ahead of her Platinum Jubilee for extraordinary dedication and service in their fields.

Lesley Garven, who has managed the Blind Veterans UK Centre of Wellbeing at Ovingdean since 2012, received an MBE for services to veterans, particularly for her work leading the centre, which has 30 permanent residents, throughout the pandemic.

Chief executive of Blind Veterans UK Major General (Rtd) Nick Caplin CB said: “Lesley’s award is wholly deserved and all of us at Blind Veterans UK are delighted for her.

“As Covid-19 struck, she focused on creating a safe environment for our elderly vision-impaired residents.

“She used social media to secure PPE support when supplies were stretched and set up Covid-19 testing arrangements for her staff and residents with a leading university to provide assurance before the national testing systems were established.
“Lesley continues to lead on the planning around our move to a new Sussex home in Rustington and always puts the needs of blind veterans first.”

Lesley Garven MBE, with regional rep Alan Walker

On hearing of her award, Lesley, from Brighton, said: “I am absolutely overwhelmed and want to take this opportunity to thank all the staff at our centre who have worked so tirelessly, particularly throughout the pandemic.

“We will soon be moving to our new home in Rustington, but I know that all of our staff will be just as committed to providing the very best care and support to blind veterans.”

Blind veteran Tony Harbour, 86, from Saltdean, supported her nomination and said that Lesley was a “constant source of sunshine and inspiration”.

He said: “Although my vision is seriously impaired, I can easily see the impact she has on the staff and the ease with which they follow her clear and natural lead.

“Through her personal example and devotion, she leads a very happy team of staff and volunteers who help us to enjoy life beyond sight loss.”

Officer who overcame health challenges 'thrilled by honour'

Sussex Police Superintendent Simon Nelson, the disability lead for the Police Superindendents’ Association and president of the national Disabled Police Association, has received a Queen’s Police Medal in recognition for his services to policing.

Following a diagnosis of stomach cancer in 2004 and a full stomach removal in 2006, Simon has dedicated his service to supporting disabled officers and staff in policing.

Despite his own significant health challenges, he continues to work operationally as a firearms commander and public order commander in the police service and has held some of Sussex Police’s most challenging operational roles.

Superintendent Simon Nelson

Simon said he was both “astounded and thrilled to receive this honour”, adding: “There was a time in my life when I had little faith in the future, but that future is now even better and feels particularly special having reached my final year in policing.

“I am incredibly grateful to those who have shown faith in me and demonstrated genuine interest and support for those in policing with diverse abilities.”

Sussex Police Chief Constable Jo Shiner said she was delighted by the news and very proud of Simon.

She said: “To receive this prestigious honour, especially during Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee is a real reflection of the impact that he has had in this national role.

“His story is an inspiration about how you can overcome some of the challenges which life throws at you and use that to be a force for good for others.”

University manager 'worked tirelessly' through pandemic

University of Sussex head of facilities management Scott Noble has been awarded the British Empire Medal for going above and beyond the call of duty to help the university community during the pandemic.

Scott was instrumental in the university’s crisis management planning, ensuring the delivery of essential services for students and staff who remained on campus, worked with Brighton and Hove City Council to establish a temporary mortuary at the university and co-ordinated campus accommodation to military planners sent to the city to support the community.

Interim vice-chancellor at the University of Sussex David Maguire said the award was “fantastic news”.

He said: “The pandemic was an unprecedented challenge for many and Scott’s no-nonsense, pragmatic style of leadership was exactly what was needed.

“He worked tirelessly to make sure that our community on campus was taken care of through lockdown, but he also found the time to make sure the university was an asset to the city.

“He is the embodiment of the values we hold dear at Sussex.”

Scott, from Heathfield, said he was “delighted” to receive the award and said: “We aren’t just a university, we’re a community. We look out for our students, and take care of each other - here at Sussex and also those in the wider community.

“I’m lucky to manage teams of people who work hard to show compassion as well as delivering a service.

“It was a testing time to be sure, but we can all be proud of what we achieved here and I’d like to express my gratitude to those I work with who helped make it possible.”

The full list of the Sussex people named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list:

Dames Commander of the Order of the Bath (DCB)

• Bernadette Mary Kelly CB, from Midhurst, for services to government

Companions of the Order of the Bath (CB)

• Penelope Kamilla Ciniewicz, from Brighton, for services to public administration

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

• Dr Penelope Leach, from Lewes, for services to education

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

• Miranda Mary Abrey, from West Sussex, for services to victims of domestic abuse
• Professor Sean Duggan, from Worthing, for services to public health
• Catherine Elizabeth Gulliver, from Brighton, for services to climate change law
• Elizabeth Maudslay, from Uckfield, for services to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities
• Jill Marie Whittaker, from Shoreham, for services to training and apprenticeships in hospitality, care and management

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

• Nicola Ann Bell, from Brighton, for services to transport and to the Covid-19 response
• Kevin John Brown, from Chichester, for services to radiotherapy
• Mark Frederick Grayson Drummond-Brady, from Uckfield, for services to charitable fundraising
• Lesley Garven, from Brighton, for services to veterans
• Paul Trevor Grimwood, from Lancing, for services to fire safety
• Alexander John Hack, from Chichester, for services to the vaccine and biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry
• Christina Victoria Handasyde Dick, from Chichester, for services to home care and to charity, particularly during Covid-19
• Irene Holmes, from Pulborough, for services to people with disabilities 
• Stephen Nicholas Lawlor, from Bognor, for services to children
• Deborah Ann Lawlor, from Bognor, for services to children
• Sue Marooney, from Henfield, for services to education
• Daniel Kwadwo Poku, from Polegate for services to music
• Lynn Patricia Spillett, from Littlehampton, for voluntary services to the RNLI

Medalists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

• Helen Christina Burton, from Eastbourne, for services to the community in Eastbourne, particularly during Covid-19
• Patrick Carroll, from Crawley, for services to the national infrastructure during Covid-19
• Caroline Elizabeth Croft, from Lewes, for services to the arts and young people in East Sussex
• Stephanie Anne Davies-Arai, from Lewes, for services to children
• Scott Noble, from Heathfield, for services to education