A KEIGHLEY businessman who fought for justice for the Hillsborough victims, the former principal of Bradford College and a woman who paved the way for ethnic minorities on national boards are among those awarded CBEs in this year's New Year Honours list.

Trevor Hicks, whose daughters Sarah, 19, and Victoria, 15, were among the 96 lives lost in the 1989 disaster, receives the honour for his work as president of the Hillsborough Family Support Group.

Adeeba Malik, the deputy chief executive of QED Foundation, a Bradford-based group which works with disadvantaged ethnic minorities, is recognised with a CBE for her services as a British Muslim woman on mainstream public bodies.

As well as her work in Bradford, she has sat on numerous national boards, including British Waterways, Yorkshire Forward, and the Advisory Board on Naturalisation and Immigration.

After hearing about the honour, she said: "I was given an MBE about nine years ago and I was really touched to be given another honour. I'm really humbled by it. The fact that I've been recognised for my work makes me feel really honoured.

"I was born and bred in Bradford and I was the first ethnic minority woman on a lot of the boards. While I sit on these I am always harping on trying to get people to come up to Bradford and see just what we are about here."

Michele Sutton, who retired as principal and chief executive of Bradford College in the summer summer after ten years at its helm, is awarded a CBE for services to further education. She is also president of the Association of Colleges, and helped oversee the building of the college's new, £50 million David Hockney Centre.

Inspector Jonathan Pickles, of Bingley, a partnerships officer for West Yorkshire Police for 25 years, receives an MBE for services to policing in the community.

He began his career with the force in 1989 as a Special Constable and became a full-time officer a year later, working in the Dudley Hill area of Bradford. He has also worked as a community constable in south Bradford, a safer schools officer in Eccleshill and a projects officer at Toller Lane.

As part of his role, he is an advisor to the boards of three charities - The Bradford Youth Development Partnership, the Bradford City Centre Project and the Joint Activity and Motor Education Service (James) Project.

He said: "I am thoroughly honoured to receive this award, which I would like to dedicate to my colleagues for all the work they do every day to help keep the communities of Bradford safe."

COMMENT: HONOURING THE ONES WHO MAKE OUR LIVES BETTER

Professor Uduak Archibong, a professor of diversity at the University of Bradford, is awarded an MBE for services to higher education and equality.

She has spent much of her career working to improve gender and racial equality in universities, and has helped raise the number of ethnic minority nursing students at Bradford University from one per cent to 30 per cent.

Nigerian-born Prof Archibong said: “I am thrilled to have received an MBE and be recognised for my work. It is a privilege to work in an institution which is committed to promoting inclusive workplace and study environment.”

Janet Inglis, deputy head teacher at Immanuel College, Thackley, receives a British Empire Medal for her services to education. The school's head, Jane Tiller, and chairman of governors Denise Sterling, said: "Janet has served Bradford students for well over 35 years both as teacher and author of several text books. In her own time Janet is an athletics official generously supporting young people in their pursuit of excellence. We are absolutely delighted that this conscientious colleague and teacher has been recognised for her ongoing commitment to education."

Jeffrey Utley, an award-winning semi-retired design engineer who worked for 40 years at a Shipley firm, is honoured with an MBE.

Mr Utley, 68, of Otley, a former national chairman of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, has been recognised for services to engineering in Yorkshire.

He said he was 'surprised, honoured and delighted' at the award .

Mr Utley was a founding member of the Institute in Yorkshire in 1970. He has been regional chairman several times and continues to serve on national committees.

He spent most of his career at Shipley Fans and now works part-time at the Horsforth campus of Leeds City College.

Mr Utley said: " I'm surprised, delighted and honoured at this award and proud that my peers in the Institute must have seen fit to put my name forward."

Frank Hester, founder and managing director of Horsforth-based technology firmTPP which provides clinical software for the NHS receives an OBE.

He started the business in 1999 and its SystmOne software provides healthcare professionals with access to a single source of patient information.

Mr Hester said: " I was really surprised, it's just such an honour to be recognised for a job that I get up and do every day."

Also awarded an OBE is Keith Louden, senior partner at Leeds-based stockbroker Redmayne Bentley, which provides the Telegraph & Argus shares information and commentary .

Mr Louden joined the firm in 1956 after qualifying as a chartered accountant and has occupied a leading position in stockbroking, both regionally and nationally, for nearly 50 years.

The 81-year-old veteran stockbroker, who still comes to work firm every day, said: “I am surprised and delighted."

John Hall, chairman of trustees at Mirfield-based Hollybank Trust, gets an MBE for services to children and adults with special needs and disabilities. The trust offers education and residential care, and Mr Hall has helped steer its work for more than 25 years. Also chief executive of the Volvox group in Leeds, he has helped raise more than £1 million in his time at the trust. He said: "It is quite a surprise, and I'm taking it as an honour for all the people involved in Hollybank."

Barrie Rutter, actor and artistic director of the Northern Broadsides theatre company based in Halifax, receives an MBE. The company has performed numerous plays in Salts Mill, Saltaire.

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