Well done Bradford’s own Keith Madeley, who received an MBE in the New Year honours list.

This cheerful character is a natural optimist whose networking skills and knack for public relations has seen him succeed both in business and in putting Yorkshire on the map, including among the great and good.

As chairman of the Yorkshire Society, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, he’s become known as ‘Mr Yorkshire’ and breathed new life into the organisation which promotes God’s Own County, including persuading the Duke of York to become its patron.

Keith is also chairman of the Duke of York’s Community Initiatives and chairman of Arts and Business Yorkshire. He became regional chairman of the Prince’s Trust in 2009.

He has more than 30 years of experience as a financial adviser, including running Manor Financial Management in Bradford for several years.

His communications skills and eye for publicity helped the company grow into a leading operator, partly through an innovative programme of seminars that attracted as speakers leading names form the insurance and financial world.