Orkney-based Neil Kermode has been awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to renewable energy and to the community.
He has been managing director of the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) since 2005, helping make it one of the world’s leading test and demonstration sites for wave and tidal energy.
Under his stewardship, more marine energy technologies have demonstrated at EMEC than anywhere else in the world.
An economic impact assessment spanning two decades of EMEC’s operations values the impact of the test centre to the UK economy at £370m, with £130m of that accrued in Orkney.
Beyond EMEC, Kermode serves as the chair of the Orkney Renewable Energy Forum (OREF), promoting the development and overcoming barriers to renewables developments throughout the island.
He also volunteers his time in various other community initiatives, such as the rebuilding and restoration of the Kitchener Memorial through Orkney Heritage Society, along with recognising the work and contributions of Murdoch MacKenzie, a pioneering Orcadian hydrographer and cartographer.
“I was surprised to receive the letter and rather stunned,“ Kermode commented. “However I am delighted that this award helps bring more attention to so many of the things and people I care about.
“I recall being told that OBE stands for ‘Other Bugger’s Effort’ and in this case it is true - I would not be getting this award if I had not been able to work with such great and motivated groups of people over the years in so many spheres.
“In this respect it is a real joy to see the progress we have made together, but it is also both daunting to see how much we have to do, and exciting to see the opportunities it presents.”
Another Scottish entrepreneur honoured this year is Peter O’Hara, chief executive of social care software provider OLM, who was awarded an MBE for services to social care.
Hailing from Gourock, he studied at Glasgow College of Technology and worked for the Greater Glasgow Health Board before deciding to continue his education in London.
O’Hara founded OLM in 1991 with the aim of using technology to make a positive difference to people’s lives. Today, the business is the largest in Scotland and only independent supplier of social care technology in the UK, with more than 200 staff.
“I owe everything I have done and achieved to the many colleagues I have had the privilege to work with and serve over the past 33 years,“ he commented. “This award is a recognition of our collective commitment to make a difference to all who depend on and deliver social care across the UK.”
Elsewhere in the King’s first Birthday Honours, Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie was given a damehood.
The veteran politician receives the honour for political and public service and is understood to be the first sitting MSP at Holyrood to either be knighted or given a damehood – the female equivalent of the honour.
The MSP for Dumbarton since the Scottish Parliament was created in 1999, she became deputy leader of the party in 2020. Dame Jackie said the honour was “totally unexpected”, with news of its award “coming as quite a shock”.
Former Scotland and Rangers player John Greig was made a CBE for services to football and the community in Scotland. He said: “I’m very honoured and proud to receive this. It’s most unexpected at my age.”
Also from the footballing world, Arbroath manager Dick Campbell was awarded the British Empire Medal, while wheelchair tennis star and Paralympic gold medal winner Gordon Reid became an OBE for services to tennis.
Meanwhile, Scottish broadcaster Ken Bruce has become an MBE for service to radio, autism awareness and to charity.
Now presenting a show on Greatest Hits Radio after stepping down from BBC Radio 2 this spring where he spent 31 years, he said: “This is a great surprise and privilege; I hope it might help highlight the many difficulties autistic people face.”
His son, Murray, is autistic.
Fellow broadcaster Sally Magnusson, a presenter on BBC Scotland’s Reporting Scotland programme, was made an MBE for services to people with dementia and their carers.
She founded the charity Playlist for Life in 2013 after observing the effect of music on her mother’s dementia. It works with families and care homes to encourage people to develop a playlist of personally meaningful music for those with dementia.
She said: “It’s lovely to receive this award, not least because it recognises the importance of personally meaningful music to the wellbeing of people with dementia.“
Several people were given honours for their role providing logistical support following the death of the late Queen, plans which were drawn up as Operation Unicorn.
Among them was Transport Scotland director Hugh Gillies, who becomes an OBE for services to transport at the time.
Others awarded for their role in support of Operation Unicorn include Roy Brannen, interim director of net zero, energy and transport for the Scottish Government, who was made a CBE, and Roy Devon, head of events and exhibitions at the Scottish Parliament, who becomes an OBE.
Rhona Baillie, chief executive of the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow, who started her career in a chip shop before moving into nursing, said it was a "total shock" to be among the honours recipients, as she becomes an OBE.
She has been chief executive of the hospice since 2008 after doing the job on an interim basis since 2005, leading a campaign to raise £21m to create a purpose-built hospice facility in Glasgow's Bellahouston Park in 2016.
From the arts sector, Scottish Ballet's chief officer and artistic director Christopher Hampson, and Scottish Opera chairman Peter Lawson, were also both made CBEs.
First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “Those recognised have made outstanding contributions to communities across Scotland and beyond – their service and dedication makes our country a better place for everyone and I am pleased to see this has been recognised.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: “My warmest congratulations go to all the Scottish recipients of the King’s Birthday honours.
“Scots are well represented in His Majesty’s first Honours list, which showcases the best of Scottish talent – including sport, the arts, community and education.”
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