King’s Birthday Honours 2025: Celebrating heroes across Bucks, Beds and Herts
Homecare, emergency response, conservation... several individuals in the three counties are being honoured
This year’s King’s Birthday Honours shine a spotlight on an inspiring group of individuals from Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire who have gone above and beyond in service to their communities, professions, and country.
From emergency response to homecare, conservation to community service, here are the remarkable stories behind the honours.
HERTFORDSHIRE
Dr Joshua Macabuag OBE – For services to Disaster Search and Rescue Engineering
Dr Joshua Macabuag has forged a unique career in disaster engineering and risk reduction, leading the UK’s largest engineering team for urban search and rescue. His international impact spans catastrophe zones from Nepal to Albania, serving as a key engineer with SARAID (Search and Rescue Assistance in Disasters).
Notably, he spearheaded the Damage Assessment Coordination Centre (DACC) concept used in Albania (2019) and Beirut (2020), now under consideration by the United Nations and European Union. He is also a pioneer in post-disaster recovery and trains young engineers in this vital field.
Camille Anna Leavold-Todd MBE – For services to Homecare
As CEO of Abbots Care, Camille Leavold-Todd has transformed domiciliary care in the region since 1995. Under her leadership, the service quadrupled in capacity, delivering 20,500 weekly care hours and earning two CQC ‘Outstanding’ ratings.
During the pandemic, she created a three-tier discharge system that helped free 1,950 hospital beds. She also sourced critical PPE when supplies ran dry and ensured her staff were among the first vaccinated. Her initiative, Abbots Friends, supports lonely individuals through tea parties, pet therapy, and home visits – over 1,400 people have benefitted.
Marie Jean Polley MBE – For services to Social Prescribing
A leader in integrative health, Marie Polley co-founded the Social Prescribing Network in 2016. Her pioneering work helped embed non-clinical support (like community groups and creative activities) into NHS services, changing how health and wellbeing are approached.
With over 2,500 members globally, the network has hosted international conferences and influenced policymakers at the highest levels. “Without her work on this, the spread of Social Prescribing into the NHS would not have happened,” reads a citation.
Linda Taylor BEM – For services to Gymnastics and the community
Founder of Turnford Gymnastics Club in 1973, Linda Taylor’s passion began at age 4. Despite serious health challenges and withdrawal of funding, she rallied parents to fundraise and kept the club alive for over 50 years.
A lifetime devoted to grassroots sport earned her the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award from Hertfordshire Sports Partnership. Still coaching at 82, her dedication continues to inspire generations of gymnasts.
Nina Louisa Villa BEM – For services to Young People
As volunteer Chair of Cheshunt Sea Cadets since 2018, Nina Villa has revitalised the unit through annual award ceremonies, fundraising events, and strategic partnerships. She secured a 25-year lease for the cadets on a community hall, creating a stable base for a thriving youth hub.
Her sustained volunteer work ensures young people continue to enjoy adventure and personal development opportunities.
Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst OBE & Cllr Seamus Quilty BEM – Local Government Leadership
Two stalwarts of local government have also been honoured.
Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, newly appointed OBE, has served Hertfordshire County Council since 2001. A longstanding leader in highways and transport, he is also Leader of Three Rivers District Council and former Mayor of Harrow. He said:
“This is a great moment not just for me, but it is a recognition and tribute for everyone in local government and the hard work we all do – which sometimes goes unnoticed.”
Cllr Seamus Quilty, awarded the BEM, has represented Bushey South since 2001. He has chaired multiple county committees and serves on Hertsmere Borough Council, contributing decades of dedicated public service.
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Helen Jane Read MBE – For services to Arboriculture and Conservation
With a 33-year career, Helen Read is a pioneer in conserving ancient trees and wood pastures. She co-founded the Ancient Tree Forum and authored a seminal guide on veteran tree management, now translated internationally.
A recognised authority in millipede taxonomy, she has spent nearly four decades advancing ecological science and biodiversity knowledge in the UK and beyond.
Frank Purcell BEM – For services to Supporting Families and People with Disabilities
Frank Purcell, MD of M&M Supplies, is recognised for deep-rooted community engagement. Through 'Climb Against Hunger', he raised over £17,000 and created the Big Doorstep Challenge to support the Milton Keynes Food Bank.
A dedicated supporter of MK SNAP, he champions employment and inclusion for people with learning disabilities. His work continues to shape how business engages with social causes.
BEDFORDSHIRE
Philip Wells BEM – Serving Bedfordshire Police, for services to Policing
Philip Wells, who helped transform Bedfordshire Police from special measures to national exemplar, receives the BEM for his contributions to policing strategy and diversity. His leadership saved over £25m and established shared services with Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
He introduced cultural intelligence training, reducing attrition among minority officers and boosting representation to 11%. As National Lead for Police Pensions, he also helped secure £26m for age discrimination rectification post-McCloud judgement.
CROSS-COUNTY RECOGNITION: ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Professor Rob Chilcott MBE – Formerly University of Hertfordshire, for services to National Security
Retired toxicologist Professor Rob Chilcott is honoured for revolutionising chemical exposure response protocols. His research showed that traditional decontamination could worsen chemical injuries, leading to the “disrobe and dry decontamination” method, now standard across the UK and US.
The method was used during the 2018 Salisbury nerve agent attack and is now embedded in emergency responder training.
“This award reflects the significant international contributions of the University of Hertfordshire’s Toxicology Research Group,” he said.
His work, recognised with a Times Higher Education STEM award in 2018, has shaped global preparedness against chemical threats.