Heath business park boss awarded MBE
THE Queen has presented a Runcorn businessman with his MBE at Buckingham Palace. John Lewis, managing director of SOG Group, which runs the Heaths Business And Technical Park, was awarded the Member Of The Order Of The British Empire in recognition of ‘services to business in Liverpool’.
Accompanying him to the palace were his wife Linda, son Ryan and daughter Beccy.
Afterwards, John hosted an afternoon tea to celebrate with close friends and family, including Lady Anne Dodd, the widow of the legendary entertainer and John’s uncle Sir Ken Dodd.
John said: “I’m immensely proud to receive this honour from Her Majesty The Queen but it isn’t just about me, it’s more about ‘we’– the many family, friends and business associates who have helped me down the years.
“I couldn’t have achieved my success in business without all those people around me who have been such a tremendous support.”
SOG was formed in 1999 after chemicals giant ICI announced it was closing its North West headquarters at The Heath.
SOG bought the site, retained skilled personnel who worked for ICI and transformed the location into the Heath Business And Technical Park.
Today The Heath is home to more than 120 individual companies supporting around 2,000 jobs.
In the past John’s achievements have been recognised with several awards including the accolade of Liverpool’s ‘Knowledge Leader Of The Year’, an award recognising the city region’s key business leaders and academics who have made a major contribution to the region. He is also a past winner of Halton Chamber Of Commerce And Enterprise entrepreneur of the year.
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