Staffordshire and Cheshire individuals recognised in King’s New Year Honours
People from Stoke, Stafford and Crewe are among those named
More than 20 people across Staffordshire and Cheshire have been recognised in His Majesty the King’s New Year Honours List for 2026. Honours have been awarded to those making outstanding contributions across healthcare, firefighting, community support, education, and charitable work.
Exceptional leadership in Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service
Among the honourees is Group Manager Hannah Caulfield from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, who has received the King’s Fire Service Medal. Hannah is recognised for her exemplary service and for driving diversity within the fire service. She is credited with supporting female firefighters throughout her career, creating pioneering maternity policies and raising awareness of menopause.
Hannah has been chair of Limitless, the service’s women’s support network, since 2018, and her initiatives helped Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service rise from 17th to 6th place nationally in the proportion of female firefighters employed. Reflecting on the recognition, Hannah said: “This honour is not just a personal achievement but a recognition of the collective efforts of so many colleagues who have worked tirelessly to make Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service more inclusive and supportive.”
Chief Fire Officer Alex Waller described Hannah’s medal as a “fitting tribute to her achievements” and expressed hope that it would inspire more women to consider firefighting as a career.
Honours for healthcare leaders
Several remarkable individuals in healthcare across Staffordshire and Cheshire have also been recognised. Royal Stoke Hospital Chief Nurse Ann-Marie Riley, based in Stoke-on-Trent, was awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her work to improve patient care, equality and inclusion. Ann-Marie’s leadership helped reduce nursing vacancies at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) and earned the trust recognition as 2024 Nursing Times Employer of the Year.
Speaking on her honour, Ann-Marie said: “Nursing has always been about patients, listening to them and ensuring their voices shape every decision we make. This recognition reflects the commitment and professionalism of the teams I work alongside every day at UHNM.”
Trish Bennett, NHS leader in Cheshire, received an MBE for services to the NHS.
Staffordshire honours highlight community impact
Staffordshire residents have been honoured across fields such as diversity in sports, community leadership, and charity work. Kerry Davis, of Fradley, received an MBE for her services to association football and diversity in sport, while Philip John Charles, from Abbots Bromley, received a BEM for his contributions to community life as a parish councillor.
Susan Jane Bohanan, of Stafford, was awarded a BEM for her service as a Special Constabulary co-ordinator at Staffordshire Police.
Other recipients include Dr Catherine Louise Taylor-Weetman from Whittington, an MBE for her contributions to dentistry, and Russell David Clark of Keele, with a BEM for services to higher education. Joan Catherine Fairley of Hints, Tamworth, and Richard Graham Hill of Barlaston, were also recognised with BEM awards for their charitable and community work.
Charles Frederick Hodges, from Kinver, received a BEM for contributions to the community in Enville, including his long-term involvement with St Mary’s bell tower.
Prof Liz Barnes CBE, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, said: “Staffordshire thrives because of the contribution and impact that so many people make to their local communities or their specialisms in work where they go above and beyond. Congratulations to all those recipients.”
Record achievements across the region
Across the North West, 97 people were recognised in this year’s Honours List, including Bernard Morgan MBE, aged 101, from Crewe, for services to volunteering and history, and Tara Jones MBE, aged 29, from Cheshire, for services to Rugby League.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised the recipients, saying: “This year’s Honours list celebrates the very best of Britain – people who put the common good ahead of themselves to strengthen communities and change lives.”
First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.