More than 30 people who live, work or grew up in Greater Manchester have been named in the King’s New Year Honours list.
Stars of the screen such as Sarah Lancashire and sporting heroes, including Keely Hodgkinson, have been recognised for their contributions to their respective fields. Former Manchester United manager David Moyes is also among those to be honoured.
But many lesser-known names feature on the list too. From storytellers to charity fundraisers, dozens of people from Greater Manchester are set to be given awards by King Charles for their services to communities in the region and across the country.
The Manchester Evening News has spoken to a few of those people about their amazing achievements. Here’s what they said.
Matt Cain, writer and broadcaster: MBE for services to LGBTQ+ culture
Matt says Manchester’s LGBTQ+ scene helped influence who he is today
(Image: Claire Gardner Photography)
When Matt was growing up in Bolton in the eighties, there was ‘very little LGBT culture’ around. “We didn’t really have the acronym then,” the 50-year-old who went to school in Bury told the M.E.N.. “What little gay culture we had was underground and not discussed.
“There was certainly no queer culture celebrated by the establishment.” It took Matt 10 years to get his novels published, but he’s now an acclaimed writer of LGBT literature including The Madonna of Bolton which went to print after a winning crowdfunding campaign.
The broadcaster, who was Channel 4 News’ first-ever culture editor, is also an ambassador for Manchester Pride and has an honorary doctorate from the University of Bolton. A few weeks ago, an official letter landed through Matt’s letterbox, informing him of his MBE.
“I squealed so loudly, I think I scared the cat,” he said. “Personally it’s very emotional and humbling. It sends out quite a powerful, positive message about queer culture.”
Matt is particularly happy that his award comes off the back of his latest novel One Love which is all set in Manchester, over four days on Pride weekend. “It was my way of giving to the city that saved my life,” he told the M.E.N..” “I lived in Bolton, went to school in Bury.
“22 minutes away on the train, I felt like I was in a different world. It felt like the coolest city on the planet. The gay village was the setting for my growth and self discovery as a gay man. I wanted to write a book that would give my thanks to the city.”
Joanne Taylor, patient advocate: BEM for services to breast cancer patients
Joanne Taylor was hit by a devastating diagnosis at 38
(Image: Joanne Taylor)
Joanne’s world was turned upside down at the age of 38 when she discovered a small lump on her breast. The mum-of-two from Saddleworth was diagnosed with breast cancer and despite being declared cancer-free after undergoing gruelling treatment, she discovered another four lumps on her body seven years later.
Joanne, now 55, has now been living with secondary breast cancer for 11 years. Keen to help others in a similar situation, Joanne decided to set up After Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD) following her initial diagnosis in 2013.
The organisation helps support primary and secondary breast cancer patients to make informed choices by sharing information and up-to-date news on treatments, breast surgeries, consultants, hospitals and useful links. It also offers peer support for people with breast cancer, aiming to reduce fear, anxiety and isolation while helping patients resume normal life.
Joanne’s incredible efforts have now been recognised in The King’s New Year Honours list – seeing her awarded a BEM for services to breast cancer patients. “I started advocating from myself straightaway, and it sparked an idea of some kind of signposting and information for other patients,” she said.
“There was no patient voice – all you got was a leaflet. I was 38 and wanted to find people of my age who had kids and all these problems you have as a young person. That was the idea.
“It keeps my mind occupied. At least I’m doing something that can support patients.
“I feel really proud to be nominated. A lot of good people have helped me along the way. It’s amazing, really.”
Philip Rose, SciTech founder: MBE for services to children’s science education
Philip Rose discovered he had dyslexia in his 30s
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
In 1990, Philip began to abandon his work as a computer systems analyst in favour of something ‘far less lucrative, but far more productive’. He had the idea to create a hand-on science summer school – SciTech – to help children understand and connect with science and technology.
The holiday club was launched at a small Greater Manchester primary school in 1991 and has been a huge success ever since – reaching approximately 6,000 students with many returning more than three times to attend. The summer school, now held in Wythenshawe, means Philip, who lives in Hale, is able to teach children with dyslexia new ways of learning so they can see their condition as a gift.
SciTech gives children the opportunity to learn about science and technology in a fun way from learning about kinetic energy by running on custard, to performing pitstops in Lewis Hamilton’s F1 car to learning about technology and engineering. Attendees of SciTech have returned later in life to teach there after undertaking degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics degrees.
For the 72-year-old, who discovered he had dyslexia in his 30s, it’s been a personal mission. His efforts have now been recognised in The King’s New Year Honours 2025, being awarded and MBE for his services to children science education.
“I was asked if this a reward for my work,” Philip said. “It is not.
“My reward is to have feasted on the joy and enthusiasm of the children with whom, I have had the privilege to work. “
Joan Todd, Manchester council worker: MBE for services to refugee resettlement
Joan Todd has worked at Manchester council since the age of 19
(Image: Joan Todd)
Having left school at the age of 16, Joan went to college and started her career as a playworker two years later. The following year, 1981, she found herself working for Manchester council when it took over the project and she has worked there ever since.
Joan has been working in homelessness for nearly ten years now. In 2021, she led the team helping Afghan refugees move from hotels into permanent accommodation and the following year, she started working on the Homes for Ukraine scheme too.
Joan’s work involves liaising with different partner agencies and helping the families and others adapt to life in the UK and become part of the community. “These are people who were forced to leave all they ever had behind them,” Joan said, “their possessions, family members, and some of them even their children. Whilst you could never fully comprehend what they’ve experienced, when you work with people who’ve been through the trauma of war it’s hard not to re-live parts of it with them.
“I actually found out by email first after getting a phone call,” she said of her MBE. “My letter turned up later.
“I was really shocked and couldn’t believe what I was reading. I had to read it through several times to make sure I understood what it was saying and once I’d got it, I just couldn’t believe it and it made me really emotional. I was really proud to think that someone obviously thought I’d done a good job and deserved the recognition for it.
“The job has always however been a real team effort and so many other people have worked with me and all of them also deserve to be recognised for what they do day in, day out. When I think also about everything that the families and others from Afghanistan and Ukraine have gone through to arrive here in the UK, knowing that the honour I’ve been given is off the back of their trauma is humbling.
“It makes me even more determined than ever to continue to do everything I can to help and support them.”
Eamonn O’Neal, High Sheriff of Greater Manchester: OBE services to Charitable Causes and to People with Disabilities in North West England
High Sheriff of Greater Manchester Eamonn O’Neal
(Image: Paul Moore Photography)
Former M.E.N. managing editor Eamonn has a long history of working with charities to raise awareness of their causes. The 71-year-old who was born to Irish parents in Wythenshawe and now lives in Sale, is currently serving his second stint as the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester which gives him ceremonial responsibilities over the judiciary and during royal visits to the city-region.
But the best bit of the job for Eamonn is the opportunity to ‘amplify’ the stories of worthy causes and to meet ordinary people all over Greater Manchester. “The royal visits aren’t as fulfilling as a visit to an inner-city school,” the High Sheriff told the M.E.N..
Telling stories that ‘need telling’ is Eamonn’s trade. After initially working as a teacher, he was a radio and TV presenter before becoming an executive at Granada and a managing editor at the M.E.N. This gave him the chance to shine a light on worthy causes that he cares so passionately about, such as boosting employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Eamonn is a trustee of several regional and national charities, including the Dianne Oxberry Trust which he helped set up following the unexpected death six years ago of his BBC broadcasting colleague and friend. He currently serves as the chair of Prevent Breast Cancer in Wythenshawe and was previously the chief executive of St Ann’s Hospice while remaining involved with the High Sheriff Police Trust, Salford Caritas, Francis House children’s hospice in Didsbury and 318 Sale Air Cadets squadron.
“It reflects the way we were brought up,” he said. “Over the years, I’ve done things because I’ve been interested. Either because you see the need to support the work or tell the stories. The most important thing of all is to tell the stories that need telling.”
“I’m trying not to see it as a personal achievement,” he said of his OBE. “You don’t do it for the personal recognition.”
Professor Sanjay Arya, Medical Director: OBE for services to Black and Minority Ethnic Doctors and Healthcare in North West England
Professor Sanjay Arya, Medical Director and Consultant Cardiologist at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL)
(Image: WWL)
He’s been described as one of Wigan’s most trusted medical professionals. But his OBE award ‘completely surprised’ him.
Professor Sanjay Arya, who is the medical director at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL), first joined the trust as a consultant cardiologist in November 2000. He was awarded Community Hero by the Prime Minister for developing cardiac services in Wigan in 2016 and was named a ‘Covid Hero’ in the borough during the pandemic.
Alongside his work in Wigan, Prof Arya has been associated with various International Doctors Associations, including BIDA and BAPIO, highlighting the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion within the NHS. He has been involved in supporting doctors from overseas, helping them acquire new skills in the UK and facilitating their return to their home countries.
As the Medical Director at the Centre for Remediation, Support and Training, he has helped doctors improve their ability to deliver an effective patient-centred service in the NHS. WWL chief executive Mary Fleming said that Prof Arjay’s compassion is evident in his patient care – but he is equally passionate about driving major changes and championing ‘global majority’ peers.
Prof Arya was ‘overwhelmed’ by the OBE, but said that his achievements would not have been possible without the support of staff at the trust and his ‘wonderful’ family. He said: “It has been a wonderful secret to keep and I feel very honoured but I would like to dedicate this credit to all our staff at WWL, my colleagues and the people of the Borough of Wigan.”