Revealed: Dorset residents being honoured by the Queen in 2022

Martyn Underhill, receiving an MBE for services to mental health awareness and support, and Debbie Fleming, receiving an OBE for services to the NHS, were among a host of Dorset residents being honoured in the new year.

Mr Underhill told the Daily Echo: “I led nationally for police and crime commissioners for about nine years.

“There was a lot of work with the home secretary Theresa May and I was honoured to receive this.

“Locally, I did an awful lot of work with clinical commissioning groups to improve mental health services in Dorset. When I became police and crime commissioner in 2012 there were a lot of gaps.

“More than 9,000 people a year were taken into police custody in England and Wales because they were in mental health crisis, they hadn’t committed any crimes.

“That was not acceptable. I worked with Theresa May and all the police and crime commissioners and eventually the law was changed, now 200 people a year are taken into custody.

“If someone has a broken arm they get taken to A&E, if someone has a broken mind they should be taken to a health setting.”

He added: “I was completely shocked to receive and MBE. I would like to thank the team. Mental health provisions is all about team work.

“I am really proud of what we deliver in Dorset for people mentally ill, it’s immeasurably better thank nine years ago, I thank all the partners for helping us achieve that.”

Debbie Fleming, chief executive for University Hospitals Dorset, said she was “incredibly humbled” at receiving an OBE.

She has worked for the NHS for nearly 38 years and been a chief executive for 20 years, leading the merger of the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch hospitals and Poole Hospital from January 2019 when she became joint chief executive over both.

“I am absolutely delighted to have been awarded this honour, and was incredibly humbled to receive this news,” she said.

“I am so very proud of the NHS, where it is a real privilege to work with such talented, dedicated and highly skilled people, providing such important services for local people.

“Throughout my time in the NHS, I have worked with many different individuals and teams, and I could not be more proud of our staff.

“I am grateful for all the opportunities that I have been given over nearly 38 years to develop myself and my career, and would like to say thank you to all those who have supported and encouraged me.”

Also being honoured was Mark Strachan, from Sherborne, for charitable services to musicians during Covid-19.

Mr Strachan founded the Choir of the Earth during the first lockdown as a way to keep everyone singing. Since then, more than 8,000 people have signed up from all around the world.

He said: “It’s been a remarkable journey. I had no idea that all the stuff behind the scenes was putting myself forward for any honour.

“I sing in the local choir and when March 2020 came along everything stopped but I felt we should carry on singing.

“I thought we should try use technology to bring people together to enjoy singing amazing pieces of music.

“What was amazing was we had 3,600 people sign up from all over the world to this rather amateurish outfit in Dorset.

“It was extraordinary. It was an emotional rollercoaster. When it was all over we wanted to do more.

“We have now had 8,000 people through the choir and we have become friends.

“It’s been a lifeline for people homebound and by luck we have stumbled across something that connects with many people.”

Bournemouth resident, Nicholas Edward Giles, managing director of consumer at Ordnance Survey is set to receive an OBE for services to the health of the nation.

He said: “It’s really difficult to put into words how humbling it feels to receive this OBE award.

“I have always had a love for the outdoors and since joining Ordnance Survey in 2012 I have worked with an excellent team striving to help more people to get outside more often.

“We live in a country packed full of amazing landscapes and places to visit and enjoy. The benefits of regular exercise and getting outside are enormous for both our physical and mental health and it makes me extremely proud when I look back at how we are helping more people to get outside and stay active. From supporting the traditional outdoor enthusiast to discover new adventures to inspiring a new wave of people of all ages to start exploring.

“I don’t see this as an award for me, but I see this as a recognition for the entire OS team. I have the privilege to work with some amazing people who share my passion to help to improve the health of the nation.”

Patricia Ann Marchiori, from Bournemouth and lately chair of trustees, Ambitions Academy Trust, will be awarded an MBE for her services to education.

She said: “I was extremely surprised and humbled to receive this award. I never expected this to happen.

“Ambitions Academy Trust was started when Brian Hooper, then head of the Bicknell, was approached by either the council or diocese to take on further schools which were failing or in need.

“Brian and I as chair of trustees and Brian as CEO took on these schools. By the time I retired as chair we had 13 schools in the trust.

“When Brian retired Sian Thomas took over as CEO and continued the work we had started.

“We believed every child has the right to reach his or her potential. Our motto has always been ‘high expectations’.

“I feel that I am accepting this award on behalf of all who are working, or have worked for the trust.”

Samantha Claire Richardson, from Ferndown, director of National Coastal Tourism Academy will receive an MBE for services to coastal tourism in England during Covid-19.

Ms Richardson has been an advocate for promoting the importance of tourism in coastal destinations around England for the past eight years since the NCTA’s launch in 2013. She said: “I am extremely honoured and humbled to have been given this award and incredibly surprised.

“We have one of the most stunning and diverse coastlines in the world, and our coast and its communities have enormous potential.”

Elsewhere in Dorset, Susan Sabeena Maslin would receive an MBE, and Leslie David Fry and Jennifer Denise Seys would both receive a BEM.