Local man gets CBE in New Year's Honours
A local resident has been awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the New Year’s Honours List.
James Samuel Younger, who stepped down as Chairman of the Electoral Commission in 2008 after an eight-year stint, won the award for public service.
His career includes 20 years of working for the BBC, where he was Managing Director of the World Service from 1994-8, and two years as Chief Executive of the British Red Cross, from 1999-2001.
Younger is the son of the former Labour politician Sir Kenneth Gilmour Younger who served in the post-war government of Clement Attlee.
Honours are normally awarded twice a year: one list is published on The Queen's Birthday in June and one at New Year.
CBEs are awarded to those who play “ a conspicuous leading role in regional affairs, through achievement or service to the community,” or to those who make “a highly distinguished, innovative contribution in his or her area of activity”.
Since 1993 the public have been able to nominate those they think worthy of an award and, according to the Cabinet Office: “Anyone can be nominated, but only exceptional people are honoured”.
Find out how to nominate somebody for an award
05 January 2009