Latest news with #King'sHonoursList
Leader Live
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Gamlins Law directors climbed North Africa's highest peak
Ron Davison, managing director of Gamlins Law, and fellow director Dafydd Roberts, scaled Mount Toubkal in Morocco's Atlas Mountains in aid of the firm's nominated charity partner St Kentigern Hospice. Combined with Ron's running of the London Marathon in April, it means the pair have now raised almost £2,000 for St Asaph-based St Kentigern. Dafydd Roberts and Ron Davison at the top of Mount Toubkal. Ron and Dafydd were part of a 10-strong group that took on the climb to the 4,167m (13,671 ft) peak. Last year, they climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania raising more than £3,500 for Prostate Cancer UK and LawCare, the mental health charity for the legal sector. Dafydd said: "The whole trip was a great experience from spending time with the local Berber community through to the final ascent itself which saw us reach the summit an hour or so after sunrise. Read more: North Wales trio to embark on cycle to Thailand for charity "We encountered lots of different weather during the trip from really warm to ice and snow as we approached the summit to torrential rain and hailstones when we were coming down the mountain. Coping with the high altitude also provided a challenge. "Experiencing life with the Berber community, with their villages set in the mountainside, was also something we won't forget, including an evening eating with our guide's family in their home. "It was also humbling to see how the communities are continuing to rebuild after a devastating earthquake caused so much destruction a couple of years ago. Read more: Mountain rescue husband and wife recognised in the King's Honours List "Either side of the climb, we were fortunate to spend time in Marrakesh, including a trip into the Sahara Desert. On our final night we even bumped into the chef Tom Kerridge who was in Marrakesh on holiday!" Dafydd added: "We are delighted to raise further vital funds towards the work of St Kentigern Hospice. The team at the hospice made a video for us wishing us good luck and that certainly helped to spur us on. "We've got further climbs planned in the UK for later this year and are already plotting another trip abroad, possibly to the Alps or Himalayas next year."
Daily Record
16-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Dame Helen Mirren needed lift from Dobbies...so I took her shopping for some luxury cashmere, says MBE recipient Margarette Bryan
Margarette Bryan has been recognised in the latest King's Honours List. She once picked up Dame Helen Mirren from the local garden centre for a shopping trip with a difference. Now retail queen Margarette Bryan is set to collect her own glittering prize after being handed a gong in the latest King's Birthday Honours List. Margarette, who spent almost 30 years as sales boss at luxury cashmere firm Alex Begg and Co, regularly welcomed star names to her factory in Ayr's Viewfield Road. And after devoting decades to the industry she loved, she has been recognised with an MBE for services to the retail sector in Scotland. Margarette, who also spent 27 years as a driving force on the committee of Ayrshire Business Women, said: "I'm absolutely thrilled - it's a huge honour. "The business world has changed a lot since I started out with High Streets hurting, but one thing that will never change is the demand for good customer service. People buy into people. "I fully believe that good customer service is coming back. Online reviews drive that demand for standards. And councils need to see there are great opportunites with youngsters coming out of college who are keen to make a difference." Margarette was a highly respected figure at Begg and Co, where she dealt with some A-list clients down the years. She revealed: "One of the best stories was when when I got a call to say Helen Mirren, who was staying at Turnberry, was up at Dobbies buying plants. "She needed a lift to come over to the factory for a look around so I went and got her. She wasn't sure how she'd get back to Turnberry, so I the coast road is lovely, I'll take you back down the road! "We were fortunate to get a lot of visitors like that down the years. The legendary golfer, Arnold Palmer, was another good customer who I had the pleasure of dealing with. It was a fantastic place to work." Margarette has spent much of her time down the years advising and mentoring businesses, working with staff and providing motivational training. She has been a passionate ambassador for women in business, stepping down earlier this year from the committee of Ayrshire Business Women after 27 years of dedicated support to others in the region as well as working internationally. She has also been a non-executive director at Ayrshire College where she spent more than five years on the board and has lobbied at the Scottish Parliament with Scottish Enterprise for the Scottish textiles industry. Throughout her career, Margarette has worked on projects from the UK to America and Spain. Also receiving MBEs in the Honours List were Dalry's Anne Cadman, an administrator for the Scottish Ambulance Service, for services to healthcare in remote and rural areas. Kilmarnock's Paula Daly, a Mission Area Officer for southwest scotland, is being honoured for her work with the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen for services to fishermen and their families.
Belfast Telegraph
15-06-2025
- Climate
- Belfast Telegraph
MBE is for sport of bowls as well as myself, says humble Neil Booth after King's Honours gong
On the day Neil Booth was made an MBE in the King's Honours List, the country's bowling programme was practically wiped out by the horrendous summer weather. The 57-year-old from Portglenone, who is one of the country's most decorated bowlers, as well as a distinguished coach and manager, said he was immensely proud of the honour.
Sky News
05-02-2025
- Business
- Sky News
Ex-Fortnum chief Venters fashions role with designer Paul Smith
Ewan Venters, the former Fortnum & Mason chief, is joining the board of Paul Smith Ltd, the design company best-known for its striped fashion garments. Sky News understands that Mr Venters, who recently stepped down as the boss of global contemporary art gallery Hauser & Wirth, has agreed to become a non-executive of Paul Smith - whose eponymous founder remains heavily involved in the business. Mr Venters, who also oversaw Artfarm's acquisition of London's Groucho Club during his stint with Hauser & Wirth, remains the chair of the private sector council of the government's GREAT campaign. He was also recently appointed as a member of the Soft Power Council jointly chaired by the foreign and culture secretaries, and is a trustee of the King's Foundation. Paul Smith Ltd, which was founded in 1970, sold a large minority stake to Itochu, its Japanese licensing partner, in 2006. Largely known for its menswear, the business has diversified into other areas of fashion and lifestyle design. "Ewan is joining us at a pivotal moment for the company as we consider a number of key strategies to shape the future of our special brand," said Sir Paul Smith, chairman and founder. He added that Mr Venters' "extensive experience in the retail, hospitality and cultural sectors will bring a welcome fresh perspective on what we do". Mr Venters oversaw a period of record performance during his eight years at Fortnum, prior to which he held management roles at Selfridges. He was awarded an OBE in 2024 in the King's Honours List in 2024 for services to international trade. "I have been friends with Sir Paul for some time, and I have long been an admirer of what is indisputably a great British brand," Mr Venters said.
