People who make difference
been serving as a board member for the Gender Identity Research and Education Society (Gires) since 2011.
In recent years, she has also been a leading member of the Association Of Women Solicitors and in her years as chairman of trustees of the Solicitors Benevolent Association helped shake it up so the board represented the UK’s ethnic make-up.
Christl was at an equality workshop when she met the founders of Gires.
She said: “I said to them ‘Don’t you want to have a lawyer on your board?’ and they said they did so that was that.”
Commenting on the award, she said: “I’m absolutely gobsmacked.
“I’ve known about it for about six weeks but it’s only just beginning to sink in.”
A dentist who has helped rid Leicester of its title as the worst city for children’s teeth has been included in the honours list.
Dr Jason Wong is made an MBE for the work he’s done to improve children’s dental health in Leicester and elsewhere.
In 2012, the city was officially recognised as being the worst local authority area for the oral health of under-fives.
As the chairman of this area’s Local Professional Network for dentists, the 48-year-old worked closely with Leicester City Council and dental practices across Leicestershire to improve things.
Over the next five years, instances of tooth decay plummeted by 27 per cent – three times the improvement nationally.
Dr Wong, who lives in Bottesford, said: “We’ve been working with Leicester City Council and health providing services trying to find ways to improve health through preventative messages.
“One of the important ones is encouraging parents to get their children’s dental health checked before they are one.
“People come to the dentist when there’s a problem rather than realising we can deliver prevention.
“The most common reason a child aged from five to nine goes to hospital is to have a decayed tooth removed. That’s totally preventable.”
The citation for Jason said: “He is an outstanding professional and ambassador for the profession, who is unfailingly cheerful, knowledgeable, committed and willing to go the extra mile.”
Commenting on the MBE, Jason, who has a practice in Grantham, said: “I’m surprised but obviously really, really pleased.
“I see it as an honour for everyone I work with.”
Other honours for people living in Leicestershire and Rutland include: ■ An MVO for Timothy Webster, deputy clerk to the Lieutenancy of Leicestershire.
■ Susan Campbell, director of women’s football at The Football Association, becomes a dame.
■ Carolyn Fox, chief nurse at the University Hospitals of Leicester
NHS Trust, receives an OBE.
■ An MBE for Manjit Darby, director of nursing leadership and quality at Midlands NHS England and NHS Improvement.
■ An MBE for Andrew Holt, a Justice of the Peace for Leicestershire and Rutland.
■ An MBE for Teresa Manning, chief executive officer at Clockwise Credit Union in Leicester.
■ An MBE for Emma Southern of the Princes Trust in Leicestershire. ■ A BEM for Nadia Khan, cofounder of the mental health organisation The Delicate Mind.
■ A QAM (ambulance service medal) for paramedic Thomas Bailey, of East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust.