Rhinos stars Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield head Yorkshire honours

Former Leeds Rhinos and Great Britain stars and motor neurone disease (MND) campaigners Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield have been awarded CBEs in the New Year Honours list.

Former scrum half and hooker Burrow, who was diagnosed with MND in 2019, was awarded an MBE in 2021 for his role in raising awareness of the disease. Sinfield, currently English Rugby Union defence coach, has raised more than £15m since Burrow’s diagnosis, and the image of him carrying his friend over the finish line at the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in May went viral around the world.

Sinfield was awarded an MBE in 2014 for services to rugby, and an OBE in 2021 for raising awareness and funds for MND.

Both men spoke of their pleasure at the other’s honour. The two friends hope to have a joint investiture, Burrow’s illness having prevented them doing so in 2021.

Sinfield said, “When you think what we have done over the last few years, it is not about getting honours, it is about the MND community. I feel like I’m the one getting singled out but it’s been a real team effort from everybody. I can’t do it on my own, I need everybody to do their bit and it’s been an incredible journey.”

Burrow added, “I am honoured to receive the CBE on behalf of the MND community. It is always pleasing to have another opportunity to bang the drum for the whole community and ensure that those living with MND are remembered, especially at this time of year.

“I would like to thank my wonderful wife Lindsey and my entire family for their support, without which I would be unable to do the campaigning work I have done for care and research to fight this terrible disease.”

Angela Foulkes, chief executive and principal at Sheffield College, and Zoe Lewis, chief executive and principal at Middlesbrough College, have been awarded CBEs for services to education.

Foulkes said, “I joined the college when it was facing some challenges. Working with staff, governors, students and other stakeholders, we have got the college back on track so that it is now a highly valued part of the social fabric of our wonderful city.

“This CBE is a recognition of our collective effort, the distance that we have travelled together and the hard work of hundreds of people. I am incredibly proud to have been awarded it.”

Sheffield’s Professor Timothy Kendall, lately national clinical director for mental health with NHS England, has been awarded a CBE for services to mental health, while Harrogate’s Professor Paul Emery OBE, Professor of Rheumatology at the University of Leeds’ Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disease, has been awarded a CBE for services in rheumatology.

Former Wakefield Council chief executive Joanne Roney OBE, currently chief executive of Manchester City Council, has been awarded a CBE for services to local government.

Stephen Walker, head of the DfE’s Strengthening Families, Protecting Children programme and former director of children’s services at Leeds City Council, has been awarded a CBE for services to families and children.

Kerry Jackson, chief executive of St Gemma’s Hospice in Leeds, has been awarded an OBE for services to palliative and end of life care.

North Yorkshire Council leader Carl Les has been awarded a OBE for services to local government. He said, “Like many endeavours you can only achieve the best for people and businesses in local government through team effort.

“Whilst I am delighted, though humbled, to receive such an award I see it as a reflection of the teams I have had the privilege to lead.”

Former Leeds United and England manager Howard Wilkinson, currently chairman of the League Managers’ Association, has been awarded an OBE for services to football, and former chief executive of the Rugby Football League, Ralph Rimmer, has been awarded an OBE for services to rugby league.

Jayne Clarke, executive principal of Pinnacle Learning Trust, and Beryce Nixon, chief executive of Exceed Learning Partnership, have been awarded OBEs for services to education, while Julian D Richards, Professor  of Archaeology at the University of York and head of the Archaeological Data Service, has been awarded his OBE for services to heritage.

Rev Anthony Collins has received his OBE for services to healthcare and the communities to Ripon and Harrogate.

Huddersfield’s Tajinder Kaur Banwait, founder of artisanal fragrance house Urban Apothecary London, has been awarded an MBE for services to business and the beauty industry.

Kathryn Marshall, Halifax-based senior manager at Lloyds Bank Group, has received an MBE for services to further education and skills, and Joslyn Hoyte-Smith, chair of the GB Olympians Association, has been awarded an MBE for services to athletics.

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