Vice-Chancellor made a CBE in King’s New Year Honours list
AWARDS: Broadcasters, a former parish councillor, and volunteers all given gongs
THE VICE-CHANCELLOR of the University of Reading has been awarded a CBE in the New Year’s Honours list for 2024, one of many to receive honours.
Professor Robert Van de Noort has thanked Reading students, colleagues and regional partners after being given the honour by the king.
It was presented not just for his university role but for services to science, flood risk management and sustainability.
Another professor, Valerie Lund, has been awarded the rank of Dame Commander. The Berkshire-based scientist is emeritus professor in rhinology at the University College in London.
OBEs will be presented to James Ainscough, chief executive officer of Help Musicians, Natasha Grant, deputy director of the cabinet office, Madeleline Hinch for services to hockey. All three live in Berkshire.
An MBE has been awarded to Jannella Baker training officer at Berkshire Search and Rescue Dogs, Lowland Rescue, and also Miriam Luke, who is the president of Henley Rowing Club and chair of Henley’s Women’s Regatta.
BEMs are awarded to the Revd Christine Blackman from St Luke’s Church in Erleigh Road, Reading, and former Charvil Parish Council chairman Jim Gillett. Both received their honours for services to the community.
Former Radio 210 DJ Steve Wright was awarded an MBE.
From Reading, he went on to national fame, and is still broadcasting on BBC Radio 2.
He dedicated his honour “to all the people in broadcasting who gave comfort and public service during the pandemic”.
Also receiving an honour was BBC Radio Berkshire DJ and broadcasting legend Tony Blackburn.
He told BBC News his OBE is “the icing on a very lovely cake” after almost 60 years in the “best job”.
Michael Eakin, the Chief Executive of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic since 2008, was also made an OBE.
Previously, he was director of arts and leisure for Reading Borough Council, with a portfolio including the arts and theatre, libraries, museums and archives, sport and leisure, and tourism.
His initial career was in theatre and concert hall management, including several years as director of the Reading Arts venues including concert hall, and The Hexagon.
He also led the establishment in Reading of the UK’s major annual world music festival, the WOMAD Festival and the renovation and re-opening of the 19th century Reading Concert Hall.
He told BBC News: “I am privileged to work with an incredible team of colleagues and this award is as much a recognition for their work and dedication as it is for me.”
Professor Van de Noort has had a stunning academic career as an archaeologist focused on maritime, coastal and wetland landscapes.
He explored how past societies were affected by, and adapted to, changing climates over the last 10,000 years, and what this tells us about our own lives at a time of rapid climate change.
He was appointed Pro ViceChancellor at the University of Reading in 2014, Acting ViceChancellor in 2018 and then ViceChancellor in 2019.
He said: “I am surprised and thrilled to be appointed CBE. My work has always been collaborative and involved teams of people, working together for a common goal.
“Colleagues and students across every discipline at the University have enthusiastically embraced the mission to put environmental sustainability at the heart of everything we do. Thanks to their efforts, Reading is now rightly recognised as the greenest university in the UK.”
As well as his academic career, Professor Van de Noort has had an active role in flood risk management, uniquely chairing two different Regional Flood and Coastal Committees over the last decade: the one for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly between 2013 and 2017 and the one for the Thames since 2017.
He said: “I am honoured that my work on flood risk management has been recognised, working with communities across London and the Thames Valley, alongside government departments and the Environment Agency, to protect communities better from the devastating impact of flooding.
“The risk of flooding in this region, and across the world, will grow if humans continue to damage the balance of nature. We can only respond to the many crises facing us by changing how we live our lives, and by treating the natural world with greater respect.”