British Minister Simon Manley responds to EuroWeeklyNews announcement that 9 UK nationals residing in Spain named in New Year Honours List

AS Euro Weekly News proudly announced that nine UK nationals residing in Spain were named on the New Year Honours List yesterday (December 27), Simon Manley, the former British Ambassador for Spain, praised the good news.

Tweeting his delight on the announcement, Mr Manley said “I couldn’t agree more. Delighted to see so many of the committed British community in Spain honored by HM The Queen.” 

This couldn’t be more true, as those who have been awarded have dedicated their lives and professional careers to serving the community. This includes Brian Thomas  McLeod,who was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to charity. Dr Charles Betty, a retired yet active charity and community worker, was also awarded an MBE for services to British Nationals Overseas.

In the Costa Blanca region, Mark Petrie, Honorary Consul for Denia, was awarded an MBE for services to British Nationals Overseas, while Maureen Payne, President of Age Concern was awarded a BEM for her services to British Nationals Overseas.

In the wake of the announcements, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott said: “It is extraordinary to see nine British nationals awarded at the same time – a real testament to the depth and diversity of the UK-Spain relationship and to the contribution that so many British nationals make to their communities across Spain.”

Simon Manley is renowned both in the UK and across Europe, being a member of HM Diplomatic Service since 1990. He was most recently the British Ambassador to Spain and held the role as a non-resident Ambassador to Andorra from October 2013 until August 2019.

The full list has been outlined below:

• An MBE to Mr Mark Petrie, Honorary Consul, Denia, Spain. “For services to British Nationals Overseas.”
• An MBE to Dr Charles Betty, Charity and Community Worker in Spain; retired. “For services to British Nationals Overseas.”
• An MBE to Mr Christopher Mark Dottie, President, British Chamber of Commerce, Spain. “For services to British business in Spain.”
• A British Empire Medal (BEM) to Mrs Christine (Krista) Ann Hyer, President, Cancer support Group, Mallorca. “For services to the British Nationals Overseas.”
• A BEM to Mr Brian Thomas McLeod, Entertainer, Spain. “For services to charity.”
• A BEM to Mrs Betty Burgess, volunteer, Las Palmas, Spain. “For services to British Nationals Overseas.”
• A BEM to Mrs Maureen Payne, President, Age Concern, Costa Blanca Sur, Alicante, Spain. “For services to British Nationals Overseas.”
• A BEM to Mrs Sheila Stuart, Chairperson, British Ladies Association, Madrid, Spain. “For services to British Nationals Overseas.”
• A BEM to Mrs Veronica Wheeler, President, British Benevolent Association of Girona, Spain. “For services to British Nationals Overseas.”