What is the Honours System?

Giving people the recognition they deserve through the UK Honours system has a long history which can trace its roots back to 1066. Honours recognise the extraordinary achievements of ordinary people - those who do vital work across the country for achievements like:

• making a difference to their community or field of work

• enhancing Britain’s reputation

• long-term voluntary service

• innovation and entrepreneurship

• changing things, with an emphasis on the impact and achievement

• improving life for people less able to help themselves

• displaying moral courage

Nominations for worthy individuals are welcomed from members of the public and will be considered by one of 10 committees covering Arts & Media, Community & Voluntary Service, Economy, Education, Health, Public Service, Parliamentary & Political, State, Science & Technology and Sport. Following additional checks, the committees forward their recommendations to the main Honours Committee for consideration before a final list is presented to the Prime Minister and in turn to the King for approval. Announcements of those receiving an award are made twice a year, at New Year and in June for Birthday Honours.

Who are Honours for?

With around 3000 Honours being awarded each year, only nominations for those who have given exceptional service will be successful. Honours are for individuals from all walks of life who have achieved something very special. This ranges from community level - indeed half of all awards go to people who are doing something extra and making a difference voluntarily in their neighbourhoods - to those whose actions have had an impact on a national or even global stage.

Honours Awards

Awards given include:

KBE/DBE - a Knighthood or Damehood is awarded for pre-eminent contribution in any field, recognised by peer groups as inspirational and significant and nationally demonstrating sustained commitment.

CBE (Commander of the British Empire) - awarded to those who have played a prominent national role of a lesser degree, a conspicuous leading role in regional affairs, or a highly distinguished, innovative contribution in their area of activity.

OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) - awarded for a distinguished regional or country-wide role in any field, for a notable practitioner (such as an author or actor or Managing Director) known nationally.

MBE (Member of the British Empire) - awarded for service of a responsible kind in and to the community (such as nurses, teachers, GPs, local councillors, janitors, charity workers or fundraisers) which is outstanding in its field at a local level.

BEM (British Empire Medal) - awarded for hands-on service to the community in a local geographical area, sustained commitment in support of local charitable/voluntary activity or for innovative work delivering real impact in a relatively short (3-4 years) period of time.

At every level, Awards illuminate areas of dedicated service which merit public recognition. This does not mean that the contributions of other people go unappreciated or unnoticed - being invited to a Royal Garden Party is seen as such an acknowledgement.

How to nominate

If you know someone deserving of an award and would like to make a nomination, the form, letter template and guidance notes will enable Aberdeenshire Lieutenancy to assist you. If you wish to complete a nomination outside of the Lieutenancy, please use this link.

NB National honours are for individuals but the important work of voluntary groups and of organisations is also recognised, so if you are thinking of nominating a group or organisation please visit our pages on the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) and King’s Award for Enterprise (KAE).

We congratulate all those in Aberdeenshire who have received Awards. Recent honours have included:

2024

James N’Dow DL OBE for services to Cancer and Urology, and to Voluntary Work.

Penny Gravill MBE, Speech and Language Therapist, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, for services to the Treatment of Skull Base Tumours and Facial Palsies.

Dr Donald Cruikshank MBE for services to the Medical Profession and to the community of Braemar.

Elaine Barnwell BEM, Fundraiser, Royal Marines Association, for Charitable Services.

Morag Lightning BEM for services to the community in Turriff, particularly during Covid-19.

Sandy Ritchie BEM Trustee, New Deer Community Association and Founder Member, Buchan Heritage Society for voluntary services to Cultural Heritage and to the community in North East Scotland.

2022

David Geddes MVO, President of the Braemar Royal Highland Society

Dr Jenna Ross OBE of Tarland, for services to Agriculture & Science

John Duncan MBE of Deeside, for services to Politics

The Reverend James Falconer MBE of Westhill, for services to Parent & Child Bereavement and to Community in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray

Hannah Miley MBE of Blackburn, for services to Swimming and to Women in Sport

Stanley Morrice MBE for services to the Food & Drink Sector in Scotland

Roy Young BEM for services to Nordic skiing and the Huntly Community

2021

Paul Anderson MBE of Tarland, for services to Music and to Charity

Gordon Mills MBE of Alford, for services to the Grampian Transport Museum

Anita Weir MBE, Faculty Head of Business and Information Technology, Inverurie Academy, Aberdeenshire for services to Education

Brian Paterson BEM of Aboyne, for services to the Community in Aboyne & Deeside

Patricia Robins BEM of Kemnay, for services to Charity & to the Community in Aberdeenshire

Melanie Shand BEM of Finzean, for services to the Arts and to the Community in Aberdeenshire during the Covid-19 response

Penelope Shepherd BEM of Oldmeldrum, for voluntary service to the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme in Aberdeenshire and to The Gambia

Jackie Stuart BEM of Peterhead, for services to Law & Order and to Cultural Heritage at Peterhead Prison Museum

2020

Stuart Payne CBE of Dunecht, for services to the Oil & Gas Sector

Deborah O’Neil OBE of Oldmeldrum, for services to Biotechnology, to Business and to Charity

James Gordon MBE of Alford, for services to the Community in Alford

John Anderson BEM of Fraserburgh, for services to the community in Fraserburgh during the Covid-19 response.

Kathleen Anderson BEM of Strathdon, for services to Strathdon and Upper Donside

Norman Fraser BEM, President of Ellon Branch of Royal British Legion Scotland for services to the community in Ellon

Charles Flint BEM, Co-Founder of Evergreens Table Tennis Club, for services to Sport for Older People in North East Scotland

Pauline Stirling BEM of Kintore, for services to Disability Sport in Aberdeenshire

Ian Thomson BEM, Secretary of Lumphanan Branch, Royal British Legion Scotland, for services to the Ex-Service community in Aberdeenshire

Audrey Wood BEM of Newmachar, for services to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in North East Scotland