The North Yorkshire names on New Year Honours list

The CEO of Sainsbury's, a managing director of Network Rail and local community figures are among those recognised from North Yorkshire in the King's New Year Honours list.

The annual list recognises people who have dedicated their lives to serving the public or have made significant contributions to society. This year, it features 24 names from North Yorkshire.

Ruth Ive, a foster carer with more than three decades' experience looking after children with complex needs and disabilities, said being appointed an MBE was a "complete shock".

"It's overwhelming, there's a feeling I don't deserve it. I don't need to be recognised above any other foster carer," she said.

Mrs Ive was successfully nominated by her husband for her services to foster caring with Fostering North Yorkshire.

She said she agreed to accept the honour for "carers everywhere, not just me", and to encourage others to support children and young adults in need.

"We don't live in isolation, we are a community, and we all have a responsibility to look after each other," she added.

"There are hundreds of carers in North Yorkshire who do a wonderful job, so this is for everybody."

Andrew Windass was also appointed an MBE for his services to rail engineering, which includes training the next generation of engineers.

• How does the UK honours system work?

At 70, he became one of the oldest recipients of a Fellowship from the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

Although he'd first received the letter informing him of his inclusion on the list five weeks prior, it felt like "five years" had passed before he could tell anybody, he said.

"I was totally amazed, utterly delighted and very proud," he explained.

"I've lost count of the number of times I've read the letter and nipped myself to make sure I'm not dreaming."

Professor Avtar Singh Matharu, from the University of York, has been appointed an MBE for his services to equality, diversity and inclusion.

"It's an honour to receive this award but the real reward is seeing communities strengthened by dialogue and mutual respect," he said.

"I'm determined to make York and North Yorkshire a great place for all its residents, not just a few."

Professor Matharu leads York's Interfaith Group, uniting groups with the aim of combating hate crime and discrimination, working alongside local authorities to do so.

He added that the work would continue to make North Yorkshire "an inclusive place for all".

Other people recognised in this year's list from North Yorkshire include:

• Richard Harpin, knighthood for services to politics
• Simon John Roberts (Sainsbury's CEO), CBE for services to the retail industry
• Robert Mcintosh (Network Rail), OBE for services to the railway in the North of England
• Ishtiaq Ahmed Din, MBE for services to the arts and young people
• Caroline Bayliss, MBE for services to the community in Harrogate and North Yorkshire
• Dr Ava Easton, MBE for services to people affected by encephalitis
• Kambiz Ramazan Ali, MBE for services to the sport of taekwondo and the community in Harrogate
• Philip Michael Jones, BEM for services to rowing and young people in York
• Caroline Bentham, BEM for services to the community in Ripon

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