PRESS RELEASE : Outstanding contributions to human rights recognised on Overseas and International Honours List [June 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 June 2023.

Over 100 people awarded for exceptional service to the UK overseas or internationally in The King’s Birthday Honours List.

• Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service Richard Moore knighted for his contribution to British foreign policy and national security during the war in Ukraine
• Terry Waite, co-founder and president of Hostage International, among 110 people recognised for their exceptional service to the UK overseas or internationally
• honours go to activist and photojournalist Marcus Bleasdale as well as former UK Ambassador to Myanmar Vicky Bowman for their brave contributions to human rights

Over 100 people have received awards for their exceptional service to the UK overseas or internationally in The King’s Birthday Honours List, including for contributions to British foreign policy, humanitarianism and protecting human rights.

Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service, Richard Moore, is knighted for his outstanding contribution to British foreign policy and national security, leading the organisation during an exceptionally challenging period which has seen the first major conflict on European soil since the Second World War.

Others recognised include Terry Waite CBE, co-founder and president of Hostage International, who is appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George [KCMG] for his services to charity and humanitarian work. Aged 84, he continues to play a crucial role in providing emotional and practical support to people in the UK and internationally, including hostages and their families, children, young people and the homeless.

Photojournalist and human rights activist Marcus Bleasdale is made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George [CMG]. For over 20 years, he has risked his life in conflict zones and areas of severe poverty photographing some of the world’s worst unreported human rights atrocities, including in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic.

Former UK Ambassador to Myanmar Vicky Bowman is also made a CMG for her sustained and brave contribution to promoting human rights, democracy and transparency in Myanmar. Since retiring from the Diplomatic Service following 4 years as ambassador, she has supported businesses in areas including environment policy and investments in the country as Director of the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business.

Sir Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Head of the Diplomatic Service, said:

At a time when the world faces many challenges, I am always impressed by the incredible work being done globally. The UK’s impact internationally depends on exceptional people like those honoured in His Majesty’s Birthday Honours list. I congratulate everyone receiving an award and thank them for their dedication and service.

The Birthday Honours list also recognises a number of non-official contributions receiving OBEs, MBEs and BEMs including:

Philip Bigley

Phil Bigley is recognised for an exceptional and sustained contribution to supporting individuals and families affected by kidnap and hostage situations overseas. In 2004, Phil’s brother Ken, a British engineer, was taken hostage while working in Iraq and killed. The kidnap and murder became a high-profile case globally, putting the Bigley family under immense public scrutiny, and also inspiring huge public support. ​Having gone through this ordeal personally, Phil turned this tragedy into something positive by helping others in similar situations.

He joined the team at Hostage International in 2005, after they helped him and his family in their time of need, and has since selflessly devoted a huge amount of his personal resources and expertise into working with the families and victims of hostage. He is currently the Chair of the Board of Trustees, a role he performs alongside being a caseworker, providing direct pastoral support and advice to families and former hostages. ​His unwavering compassion, commitment and professionalism is recognised with an OBE.

Philip Bigley said:

I am both shocked and honoured to have been nominated for this award, which I graciously accept in memory of my brother, Ken, and on behalf of our family. I wish to thank the many inspirational people at Hostage International that dedicate themselves to helping those affected by kidnap.

Megan Bick

Megan Bick is recognised for an outstanding and sustained contribution to marginalised groups and civil society development in the countries of the former Soviet Union. Her work in the employment of various international and UK government agencies over the last 3 decades, has had a significant impact in improving the lives of vulnerable people in the region.

She has also used this accumulated knowledge and experience in her unpaid role as a Trustee of The BEARR Trust, a British charity focussed on the health and social welfare of disadvantaged people in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. In this role, she has helped the Trust in launching its Ukraine Emergency Appeal. In just over a year the Trust has sent about £500,000, raised by its supporters, to around 60 organisations in Ukraine and Moldova, who have used the money to provide vital shelter for displaced people, to buy emergency food and medical supplies, to organise evacuations, and to provide psychological support.

Megan Bick said:

I’m thrilled the work of The BEARR Trust has been acknowledged and the honour should be shared between all those past and present who have contributed to the strengthening of the voluntary sector in Eastern Europe, so crucial at times of adversity.

Nimo Hassan Abdilahi

Nimo Hassan is recognised for her outstanding contribution to humanitarian assistance and development in Somalia and Somaliland. She is an exceptional humanitarian with over a decade of service working on the frontline in one of the most challenging environments in the world to be an aid worker. Somalia today is currently in the midst of a historic humanitarian crisis, with millions of people acutely food insecure.

Nimo, in her current position as Director of the Somali NGO Consortium, has played a critical leadership role, advocating on behalf of international and national civil society on the crisis and barriers to more effective response. This role regularly puts her on a global stage with seniors from the humanitarian and development sector in New York, Washington, Geneva, London, Brussels and Nairobi bringing an essential and grounded field-level voice from Somali people into international forums at such a critical moment in the humanitarian crisis in the country.

Nimo Hassan said:

I am deeply humbled to receive this prestigious recognition for the work I am privileged to do every day. This is an opportunity to amplify the voices of those who are not represented in the global forums on pertinent issues that impact their daily lives. In an interconnected world we all have a duty to uphold right to a dignified life.

David Wright

David Wright is recognised for an outstanding and sustained contribution to the Royal British Legion in Portugal. For many years, as the Vice-Chairman of the Portugal Royal British Legion branch and Lisbon area representative, he has been the driving force behind numerous initiatives to support British veterans and their families living in Portugal, such as the Poppy Appeal, monthly members’ lunches and in particular, for his planning and delivery of the highly successful Remembrance Sunday events in Lisbon.

He has also voluntarily supported other organisations in the Lisbon area with his time and energy with significant benefits to the British and wider community in the Lisbon area, and to the UK’s reputation in Portugal.

David Wright said:

Receiving this award is an extraordinary honour. I am deeply grateful and humbled to be recognised in this way. It is also very much a testament to the support and encouragement I have received from my family, friends, and colleagues along the way. We have enjoyed some great times together.