Six people from Milton Keynes recognised in King’s Birthday Honours list
Six people from Milton Keynes have been recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours list for work across sectors including housing and education, as well as fundraising efforts and setting up a support group.
The title of Order of the British Empire (OBE) has been given to Aileen Evans for services to social housing.
Aileen is a former chief executive of the Grand Union Housing Group and President of the Chartered Institute of Housing.
She is currently a Board member for Curo, a housing association based in the west of England, and is described by the website Inside Housing as ‘an experienced housing professional with more than 30 years working at executive level.’
The title of Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) has been given to Olubukola Moyo Babajide, for services to technology, business and inclusion.
Olubukola is the founder of Crystal Options Ltd and is described as ‘a renowned Nigerian technology entrepreneur, business strategist and inclusion advocate.’
Olubukola’s honour has been hailed by the ruler of the Nigerian city of Ife Ojaja II, who said: “Olubukola Babajide's recognition as a Member of the Order of the British Empire is a source of immense pride not only to Nigerians at home and abroad but also to the entire African continent,” as reported by the Ife City Blog.
An MBE has also been awarded to Deborah Lewis, the founder of COVID19 Families UK, for her services to bereavement support.
Deborah, from Milton Keynes, created the national network of support groups after losing her father to the coronavirus in April 2020.
According to an early crowdfunding page for the network, Deborah set it up while still grieving after the loss of her mother to cancer five months earlier.
An OBE has also been awarded to Professor Rachel Mary Hilliam, head of school of mathematics and statistics at the Open University in Milton Keynes, for services to data science.
Professor Hilliam, who joined the Open University in 2011, has held senior roles at the institution including director of teaching for mathematics and statistics, and academic lead for the mathematics and statistics student support team.
She said she was ‘thrilled and overwhelmed’ to be awarded the honour, which she described as ‘a huge collaborative effort.’
Sally Alexander, the principal and chief executive of Milton Keynes College Group has been awarded an MBE for services to further education.
Sally joined the college in 1999, and prior to becoming chief executive led the organisation’s prison education provision.
Finally, a British Empire Medal has been awarded to Darren James Ward from Olney, a former railwayman for West Midlands Trains and Freightliner Group.
Darren has been awarded his honour for charitable service, particularly to Birmingham Children's Hospital.
Darren raises money as part of the Bonkers Bikers, described on their fundraising page as ‘a bunch of charitably minded railway employees and affiliates that take on multi-day cycle rides whilst raising money for worthy causes.’
In May the group took part in a three-day cycle ride from Salisbury Cathedral to Cathédrale Saint-Gatien in Tours, France, raising more than £35,000 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital charity.
Over the past four years the group has raised more than £120,000 for charities including Railway Children and Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
In a message to honours recipients Milton Keynes City Council leader Jane Carr said: “A big congratulations to those recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours for their service to the city.
“Their dedication has made a real difference and this recognition is richly deserved.”
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