In business, the former chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Mike Cherry, was given a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to business and international trade.

Cherry worked to promote international trade to UK smaller firms, and advocated UK trade policy across the globe, representing over 500,000 small exporters. 

Mike Cherry CBE said: ‘I am hugely honoured and obviously delighted to have been put forward for this award, and my thanks to everyone who gave me their support in what we did for businesses and international trade during the time I was privileged to be national chair to the FSB, as well as my congratulations to everyone else recognised in this year’s Birthday honours.’

Anuj Chande, partner and head of the south Asia group at Grant Thornton, was awarded an OBE for his work in international trade and investment.

Chande has over three decades of experience in consultancy, assurance, transaction advisory and corporate finance. Since 2013, he has produced Grant Thornton’s India meets Britain Tracker report which provides guidance on the footprint of Indian companies operating in the UK.

Also from Grant Thornton, Imogen Joss, chair of the firm’s partnership governance board (PGB, has been honoured with a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the community in her home county of Gloucestershire.

Joss joined a local fund-raising group, North Cotswold Community Awareness, seven years ago and turned it into a registered charity. The charity helped low-income families during the pandemic and continues to do so now throughout the ongoing cost of living crisis.

In finance and economics, the chair of UK Export Finance, Noel Harwerth, was awarded an OBE for her services to international trade.

Noel Harwerth OBE, said: ‘To be awarded an OBE for services to international trade is a great privilege. UK Export Finance has become one of the world’s leading export credit agencies due to the vision and hard work of our dedicated public servants.

‘We are proud to support Great Britain’s exporters, whose goods and services improve the lives of millions around the world.’

Gordon Welsh, former head of UK Export Finance, was also awarded an OBE for his services to business.

Ian Kenyon, director, finance at Defence Nuclear Organisation at the Ministry of Defence received an OBE for services to public finance and volunteering, while Ann Underwood, deputy finance director at the MOD, also was given an OBE for services to defence.

As usual HMRC was one of the organisations singled out for recognition in the honours list.

More than nine honours were awarded to individuals working at HMRC. The deputy director for the authority’s fraud investigation service, Mark Sheridan, was awarded an OBE for his services in fighting tax fraud and staff mentoring. He received the honour for securing over 1,500 criminal convictions in his role as deputy director, and preventing huge revenue losses to fraudsters as a senior responsible officer for organised labour fraud.

Caroline Brewster, HMRC’s programme management office lead, also received an OBE for her involvement in public and charitable services.

Jonathan Holt, customs process owner in the project management office, was also given an MBE for his involvement in neurodiversity awareness.

Those awarded a Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (MOBE) at HMRC included Ian Jeffrey Cross, customer service advisory, Gwynne Dudley, tax specialist programme recruitment lead, Mohammad Mirza, caseworker, and Hetalban Mayank Patel, compliance and investigation.

An Order of the Bath (CB) was awarded to Philip Duffy, director general for growth and productivity at the Treasury.

Others awarded an MBE included Diane Heighes, government banking industry leader, and Susan Young, people policy lead, for their work at the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II last September.

King's honours list June 2023 awarded 1,171 people from all sectors.