The honours lists have been running since 1860, and can recognise anyone for services to charity, film, sport, government and education to name just a few.

In the North East, individuals have been selected for their work which includes diplomacy, charity work, services to film as well as to the police service. They include high profile names, like film director Ridley Scott, to less well known but equally worthy recipients who have made valuable contributions to their communities.

Some of the different honours that can be awarded include:

• BEM (British Empire Medal)
• MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) 
• OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire)
• CBE (Commander of the British Empire)

• DBE/KBE (Damehood / Knighthood)

Here's a round-up of a few individuals from the North East and North Yorkshire who have been recognised this year.

Fiona Hill

British-born Fiona Hill was key witness at Donald Trump’s first impeachment hearing and is now among those recognised in the New Year Honours.

Ms Hill is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington DC and attracted attention as a witness at the former US president’s first impeachment trial in 2020.

She is a miner’s daughter who grew up in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, and from 2017 to 2019 she was senior director for European and Russian affairs on the US National Security Council.

She is among a number of women appointed Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George in recognition of their work in international development and international relations, with British diplomat and chairwoman of the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee Susanna Moorehead also among those honoured.

Fiona Hill. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Kevin Shakesheff

Kevin Shakesheff's MBE has been awarded for his services to young people, business and to the maritime industry.

Kevin, from Yarm, co-founded the High Tide Foundation after recognising the challenges faced by young people trying to enter the workforce in the Tees area.

Their work connects people with employers, sees them enter schools for talks and organise structured careers programmes.

Since 2012, the foundation has delivered work experience and career programmes to better education for 6,500 young people in the North East. 

Jeff Stelling

Former Sky Sports presenter and avid Hartlepool United fan Jeff Stelling has been made an MBE in recognition of his work with the Prostate Cancer UK charity.

In an interview with the PA news agency, Jeff stated the honour is the “icing on the cake” on his incredible career.

“I am very proud to have had the opportunity to do it,” he said.

“It’s been great to help raise awareness, but the fundraising has been done by the hundreds and hundreds of people who come and walk with me. All I do is put one foot in front of the next one and lend my name to the marches.

“People think they’re going to be pretty miserable affairs but they’re not, they’re a celebration of life. Every day doing it is a day of joy.

“I’m doing a job that most people would give an arm and a leg for. So whilst I’ve had a wonderful and fortunate career, I’m glad that the MBE is in recognition more than anything of the charity work.”

Jeff Stelling poses for the media at Adams Park, Wycombe in March 2023. (Image: PA Wire)

Sir Ridley Scott

South Shields-born film director Sir Ridley Scott has this year been awarded the Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (known as a GBE).

The critically acclaimed director has been active in the film industry from 1963 and is most well known for being the man behind blockbusters Alien, Gladiator and Blade Runner.

Most recently he directed the eponymous flick Napoleon starring Joaquin Phoenix which debuted in cinemas in late 2023. 

Ridley Scott attending the UK premiere of Napoleon at the Odeon Luxe, Leicester Square, London. (Image: PA)

Carl Les

Leader of North Yorkshire County Council, Cllr Carl Les has been awarded an OBE (Officers of the Order of the British Empire) in the New Year honours list.

Cllr Les has represented Catterick at the council level for more than 20 years, and was elected as leader in May 2015.

Receiving the news, Cllr Les said he is "delighted" to accept the honour.

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.

"I am every bit as honoured to have worked with such committed and hardworking elected members and officers at the former county council and the new unitary, North Yorkshire Council."

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire Council, and Richard Flinton, Chief Executive of North Yorkshire Council hold the draft devolution deal in August 2022 (Image: NYC)

Michelle Southern

Michelle Southern, 54, based in Blyth, Northumberland, has been awarded an OBE this year for founding Street Paws in 2016.

The charity provides free accessible vet care and support services to homeless people and their pets across the UK.

She has a team of over 360 volunteers and teams in over 23 locations to locate, support and treat animals across the North East, North West, Yorkshire, Wales, and Northern Ireland. 

On learning of her OBE, Ms Southern said she felt “dumbfounded” and “shocked”.

“I’m just a normal person and saw a gap in provision,” she said.

“I think it’s hard enough being homeless, without being asked to give up the one constant in your life which is a companion animal, and just wanted to really protect that bond.”

Detective Constable Natalie Horner

Detective Constable Natalie Horner, of Durham Constabulary’s Roads and Armed Policing unit has been recognised with the King’s Police Medal for her leadership into the investigation of a devastating crash on the A1(M) at Bowburn in County Durham.

The horrific crash took place in July 2021 and claimed three lives when a lorry driver ploughed into a queue of traffic while using his mobile phone at the wheel.

Not only did DC Horner secure a court conviction for the driver responsible, she has since relentlessly campaigned to bring positive change from the tragedy, overseeing the production of an emotional and effective video to persuade drivers to put down their mobile phones while behind the wheel.

The campaign has since attracted millions of viewers, is partially responsible for a significant decrease in the number of serious and fatal crashes across County Durham and Darlington in the last year.

Chief Constable Rachel Bacon, of Durham Constabulary, said: “This is a thoroughly well-deserved honour for Detective Constable Horner.

“I am immensely proud of the amazing work that Nat and her colleagues have done to make people safer on our roads and I have no doubt their forward-thinking campaigns have helped to save lives.

“She exemplifies the very best of Durham Constabulary: a willingness to put victims first and a genuine desire to make a real difference to real people”.

Detective Constable Natalie Horner. (Image: Durham Constabulary)

David Saunders

David Saunders has been awarded a British Empire Medal BEM this year for services to the community in Middlesbrough. 

David has run football teams for over 45 years and trained over 4,000 young players in his long-established career.

He also runs an academy group from ages three to six, which is currently attended by 50 children, many of whom have learning disabilities.

Alongside David also runs a recycling project, ‘Boots for the Community’, which has so far recycled 2,500 pairs of children’s football boots across Teesside and County Durham. 

Most read:

• Glaisdale: Aftermath of fatal 4x4 incident in the River Esk
• Man arrested after 'stabbing' at Newcastle Bigg Market
• Man who barricaded himself in Shildon house is charged

Get more content including the stories that matter to your community from The Northern Echo for just £4 for 4 months for a limited time only here.

Mary Boyes & Greta Edwards

Two workers from North Shore Academy in Stockton have been awarded with Order of the British Empire (BEM) medals for their services to education.

Greta Edwards, who works as a cleaner and kitchen assistant and Mary Boyes, who also works as a cleaner, have both been recognised for their work this year.

David Hastings

David, 66 from Fencehouses, County Durham, was on board the Coastal Corpus Christi, a 330,000-ton tanker off the coast of Aruba in the Caribbean on November 2, 1980 when a huge explosion went off.

He was blown off the ship, suffering second degree burns to 80 per cent of his body.

David, who has been awarded a British Empire Medal, took seven years to recover and has since been involved with the RNLI to pay a debt of gratitude to those who saved his life.

He is also the honorary secretary of the Durham branch of the RNLI. Since 2002, he has helped his branch raise almost £500,000.

He said: “The first you know is when you get a letter. It’s completely out of the blue.

“You don’t fundraise to get awards or medal, you do it because it’s the right thing to do and it helps people.”

“I think my family will be very proud of me.”

County Durham man David Hastings has been given a British Empire Medal in the New Year Honours for his volunteering for the RNLI. (Image: DAVID HASTINGS)

Mary Fisher

A lollipop lady from North Yorkshire is another recipient of an honour, and has been awarded a Order of the British Empire (BEM) medal for services to Child Road Safety. 

Mary, an 88-year-old lollipop lady, operates outside at Darley and Summerbridge Community Primary School in Harrogate, and has made sure children cross the road safely since 1975.

She knows all the children by name, knows their birthdays and will give out over 50 Easter eggs each year.