Berkshire’s best nominated for gongs

SIR JOHN is not the only recipient of a New Year’s honour.

An OBE has been awarded to Paul John Lindley, the entrepreneur and founder of Ella's Kitchen. The award was for his services to Exports in the Food and Drink Sector and to Children's Welfare.

He founded the organic baby food company in 2006, naming it after his daughter and stayed with it until he stepped down earlier this year.

He also sits on the board of Toast Ale and chairing the Robert F Kennedy Human Rights UK group, founded by Bobby Kennedy’s widow.

And in March, he was appointed Chair of the London Child Obesity Taskforce by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.

This is not the first honour bestowed on Paul: In July 2013, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Reading for his contribution to improving children’s health and his work as an entrepreneur.

An British Empire Medal (a BEM) has been awarded to Alan Skipworth, who lives in Berkshire and is a Border Force Assistant Officer at Heathrow Airport. His award is for services to border security.

There have been a clutch of awards to people working within Berkshire’s healthcare system.

An MBE has been awarded to Rebcessa Chester, who is a Disability Consultant Nurse Network with the Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust and serves as the chair of the National Learning Disability Consultant Nurse Network (UKLDCNN).

The UKLDCNN aids cross-country development of new initiatives within the field of Learning Disability nursing.

She was awarded her honour for services to People with Learning Disabilities.

An MBE also goes to Alison Sheila Durrands, the Allied Health Professionals Professional Lead for the Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. The award is for services to Allied Healthcare.

And Kirsten Willis, who is head of operations for South Central Ambulance Service, has also been made an MBE for her services to NHS leadership. She also serves as chair of the SCAS LGBT Network and deputy chair for the National Ambulance LGBT Network.