New Year Honours for Bradford 2025 pioneers

The people who helped deliver Bradford's UK City of Culture year have been recognised in the New Year Honours list.

Executive director of the Bradford Culture Company Dan Bates and Shanaz Gulzar, creative director, have both been appointed MBE for services to culture in Bradford,

World Cup-winning England rugby union player Ellie Kildunne, from Keighley, has also been appointed MBE.

The trio join charity workers, volunteers, teachers and business leaders from across West Yorkshire being recognised for their contributions.

It is estimated the year-long celebration for Bradford 2025 cost about £51m and generated audiences of 3m people.

Speaking after the final events, Ms Gulzar said it had created "a powerful new narrative for the city and district" and had helped create a rise in "civic pride".

"Events have brought communities together and given us a chance to share the rich cultural life of Bradford with the world."

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Speaking to BBC Sport, Kildunne said she "thought it was spam" when she received the email informing her of the news.

"I can't quite believe the life I'm living at the moment," she said.

"I didn't know whether to cry or laugh. I just wanted to call my mum!

"I'm super proud of myself and everybody else on the list, because it's really cool."

Elsewhere, the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police John Robins has been knighted for services to policing - a move he said he was "truly humbled by".

Others recognised by the King include the director of Bradford's National Science and Media Museum.

Joanne Quinton-Tulloch is appointed OBE for services to the arts.

The co-founders of cyber security firm Capslock - Lorna Armitage, from Bingley, and Dr Andrea Cullen, from Bradford, are both appointed MBE.

The firm is an independent education organisation which aims to address inequality by reskilling adults into cyber security professionals.

Also honoured is the chief executive of think tank the Northern Powerhouse Partnership.

Henri Murison, who is appointed MBE, has led the organisation since its inception in 2016.

Also being honoured with an MBE is Julia Lee for services to rugby league.

Ms Lee, 57, became the first woman to referee men's matches in the UK more than 40 years ago.

She progressed through the officiating ranks to referee in the National Conference League's Premier Division and, in 1993, became the first woman in any rugby code to referee a men's professional game.

After retiring from refereeing she served as director of community projects and events for the Rugby Football League and has since launched a business focusing on mental health in sports.

Also recognised with an MBE is a long-term volunteer with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

Clive Rand has led the charity's first ever business branch since 1999 which has raised more than £500,000 for the RNLI.

He said the news of his honour was "an amazing surprise".

"I see it as being as much for my formidable volunteer colleagues at the RNLI West Yorkshire Business Branch as for me.

"The unswerving support of my wife has also been pivotal in my work with this inspiring charity."

Others working in the community being honoured include foster carer Fatima Ahmad who receives a British Empire Medal (BEM).

The 68-year-old, from Huddersfield, has been a foster carer for Kirklees Council since 2018 and specialises in caring for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people.

Also being honoured with a BEM is Dean Buckle from Wetherby.

A town councillor since 2020, Mr Buckle also owns a bike shop. He is recognised for his community service and charitable fundraising, which saw him named Wetherby's Townsperson of the Year in 2015.

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