King's Birthday Honours 2025: All the Greater Manchester and Cheshire heroes recognised - Manchester Evening News

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Sports stars, cultural pioneers and community champions are among those from Greater Manchester and bordering areas of Cheshire recognised in the King's Birthday Honours list.

Former Manchester United star and England captain David Beckham has been knighted, along with the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police Stephen Watson. Rugby League legend Billy Boston has also received the huge honour.

Sir David has been made a knight for his services to sport and to charity, having partnered with Unicef and campaigned with Malaria No More, a charity working to eradicate the disease.

He said: "I never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honour. To have played for and captained my country was the greatest privilege of my career, and literally a boyhood dream come true."

The 1999 treble winner with the Reds, who earned 115 England caps and skippered the Three Lions 59 times said: "I'm so lucky to be able to do the work that I do, and I'm grateful to be recognised for work that gives me so much fulfilment.

"It will take a little while for the news to sink in, but I'm immensely proud, and it's such an emotional moment for me to share with my family."

Sir Stephen, who took over the then-ailing GMP in May 2021, has been recognised for services to policing. He has overseen a dramatic tunraround in the force's fortunes.

GMP, which was in special measures when he took over, has now been nationally recognised as the most improved for its re-focus on community policing.

The Chief Constable, who is on the board of the College of Policing, said he was 'delighted and humbled in equal measure' to be honoured.

"It has been the privilege of my life to work amongst the extraordinary officers and staff of Greater Manchester Police and in several other forces across our country," he added.

"My honour is reflective of their sustained determination, decency and effectiveness in the service of the public."

Cardiff-born Sir Billy, now 90, blazed a trail for black sports stars during the 1950s and 1960s, making 488 appearances for Wigan and finishing his career with a British record 571 tries to his name.

He received his latest honour from King Charles at Buckingham Palace earlier this week, where he was surrounded by his family.

His wife, Joan, said: "Billy's family are so proud of him and so excited that everything he's done for the sport and for our community is being recognised." Adding: "I hope this inspires more young people to get involved in Rugby League and to cheer on their players."

Tom Bloxham, the chairman of the pioneering regeneration company Urban Splash, has been awarded a CBE.

Tom has been recognised for services for culture following his two-decade tenure as Founding Chair of Factory International and the Manchester International Festival (MIF).

Before standing down last year, he helped the festival gain both national and international acclaim. He then led the organisation into a new era with the opening of the Aviva Studios, the UK's newest cultural landmark and the new permanent home of Factory International.

He has held numerous cultural roles, including serving as a trustee for both Arts Council England and the Tate. He has also been Chair of the Ancoats Urban Village Trust and the Centre for Cities think tank, as well as a trustee of the Manchester United Foundation and the Bloxham Charitable Trust.

Speaking of the honour, Tom said: "I've been fortunate to enjoy a long and diverse career, one that has opened doors to extraordinary opportunities and allowed me to pursue my passion for arts and culture.

"Along the way, I've had the privilege of working with some of the most brilliantly talented figures in the cultural sector, and I'm truly delighted that those collective efforts have been recognised today."

Nicholas Massey, the CEO of Forever Manchester, the charity that has put £65m into local communities since it was established in 1989, has also been awarded a CBE.

The former chairman of Bury FC, Dr Marcel De Matas, has been given an MBE. As has teenage darts sensation Luke Littler, from Warrington. He has been recognised for services to darts alongside his Crewe-based rival Luke Humphries.

Tameside council's interim chief executive, and the former interim CEO of Oldham council, Harry Catherall, has also been awarded the title, for his 'outstanding contribution to public service.'

Mr Catherall has spent more than 45 years in public service, starting as a 16-year-old apprentice at Tameside Council and putting off his retirement for more than five years to support various crisis-ridden authorities across the region.

He said: "It's a privilege to work alongside talented, dedicated and passionate people who are fully focused on changing their lives for the better and I am absolutely delighted to be honoured with an MBE. I thank Oldham for the nomination, and everyone for their very kind words."

A senior scout is one of a number of community workers and volunteers to be recognised, having been awarded an MBE. Greg Archer's father set up his local scout group back in 1975, the year before he was born, and he has been a part of the scouting community ever since.

He has been a volunteer for more than 30 years and is now the Deputy County Commissioner and Deputy Lead Volunteer for Greater Manchester West.

Mr Archer said he was 'blown away' and 'truly humbed and honoured' to be recognised for services to young people. "Scouting has been such a big part of my life, and it's given me far more than I could ever give back," he said.

"This recognition really belongs to the amazing young people, volunteers, and fellow leaders I've had the privilege to work with over the years. I share this with all of them," he added.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service crew manager Stuart Plaskett has been awarded the prestigious British Empire Medal (BEM) in recognition of his exceptional fundraising efforts and unwavering dedication to the Fire Fighters Charity (FFC).

He has led the Service in raising an extraordinary £683,000 through a wide range of activities, including car washes, sporting events, clothes recycling bins on stations and activities at fire station open days.

He said: "I'm overwhelmed by this news and feel extremely proud and humbled. The Charity has supported me and my family over the years, during various times of need, so I just wanted to give something back.

"But I couldn't have raised all this money without the support of my colleagues who, when asked, went above and beyond, especially through the pandemic, to help keep our charity afloat."

Here is the full list of everyone who lives, works or who grew up in Greater Manchester and bordering areas of Cheshire named in the King's Birthday Honours list for 2025.

William John Boston MBE. For services to Rugby League Football (to be dated 10 June 2025). (Wigan, Greater Manchester)

David Robert Joseph Beckham OBE. For services to Sport and to Charity. (London, Greater London)

Stephen Watson QPM. Chief Constable, Greater Manchester Police. For services to Policing. (Lancaster, Lancashire)

Thomas Paul Richard Bloxham MBE. Chair, Manchester International Festival and Factory International. For services to Culture. (Manchester, Greater Manchester

Nicholas John Massey. Chief Executive Officer, Forever Manchester. For services to the community in Greater Manchester. (Urmston, Greater Manchester)

Nicholas Michael William Smallwood FREng. Lately Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure and Projects Authority. For services to Infrastructure and Project Delivery. (Malpas, Cheshire)

Joanne Darbyshire. Co-Founder, National Leasehold Campaign. For services to Housing and to Leaseholders. (Bolton, Greater Manchester)

Mark David Gifford. Lately Chief Executive Officer, National Citizen Service. For Public Service. (Manchester, Greater Manchester)

Francis Leigh Rothwell. Philanthropist and Fundraiser, Alzheimer 's Research UK. For charitable services to Dementia Research. (Oldham, Greater Manchester)

Robert James Warren. Director of People and Development, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service. For services to Fire and Rescue. (Stockport, Greater Manchester)

John Joseph Whiston. Managing Director, Continuing Drama and Head of ITV in the North, ITV Studios. For services to Broadcasting and to Television. (Sale, Greater Manchester)

Michael William Winstanley. President, National Conservative Convention and lately North West Conservative Party Regional Chairman. For Political and Public Service. (Wigan, Greater Manchester)

Lisa Fathers. Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Bright Futures Educational Trust. For services to Education. (Warrington, Cheshire)

Katie Kendrick. Councillor, Cheshire West and Cheshire Council and Co-Founder, National Leasehold Campaign. For services to Housing and Leaseholders. (Ellesmere Port, Cheshire)

Gregory James Archer. Deputy County Commissioner and Deputy Lead Volunteer, Greater Manchester West Scout County. For services to Young People. (Swinton, Greater Manchester)

Dr Alistair William Bryce-Clegg. Consultant, Trainer and Author, Early Years, International and Co-Founder, My First Five Years, UK. For services to Early Years. (Altrincham, Greater Manchester)

Robert Carter. Lately Deputy Chief Executive, OnSide. For services to Young People. (Bolton, Greater Manchester)

Harry Catherall. Chief Executive, Oldham Council, and Interim Chief Executive, Tameside Council. For Public Service. (Stalybridge, Greater Manchester)

Ian Ernest Corner. Patron, Muscular Dystrophy UK. For services to People with Muscular Dystrophy. (Leigh, Greater Manchester)

Scott Darraugh. Founder and Chief Executive, Social adVentures. For services to Social Enterprise and the community in Salford, Greater Manchester. (Rochdale, Greater Manchester)

Dr Marcel De Matas. Lately Chair, Bury Football Club. For services to Association Football. (Bury, Greater Manchester)

Paul Simon Ellison. For services to the community in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. (Rochdale, Greater Manchester)

Richard Ikin. Founder, Young Farmer Development Award. For services to Farming, Agriculture and Industry. (Altrincham, Greater Manchester)

Muzahid Uddin Khan DL. For services to Charity and to the community in Oldham. (Oldham, Greater Manchester)

Brett Mendell. For services to Sustainability and to Leadership. (Manchester, Greater Manchester)

Kathryn Mary Murphy. Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. For services to Midwifery Leadership. (Heywood, Greater Manchester)

Muhammad Abdul Musabbir. Chair, Hyde Bangladesh Welfare Association. For services to Community Cohesion. (Hyde, Greater Manchester)

Lee Parkinson. Education Consultant and Primary School Teacher, Davyhulme Primary School, Manchester. For services to Education. (Manchester, Greater Manchester)

Ann Salt. Scout Leader. For services to Young People in Salford, Greater Manchester. (Salford, Greater Manchester)

Andrew Smith. Head of Regional Governance and Local Government North, Labour Party. For Political and Public Service. (Manchester, Greater Manchester)

Captain John Joseph William Thornhill. National Parade Marshall, Royal British Legion. For services to the Ex-Service Community and to National Events. (Bury, Greater Manchester)

Gordon Marsden. Lately Member of Parliament for Blackpool South. For Political and Public Service. (Brighton, East Sussex) - born Manchester

Jane Kenyon. Founder, Girls Out Loud. For services to Gender Equality for Women and Girls. (Knutsford, Cheshire)

Luke Littler. For services to Darts. (Warrington, Cheshire)

Luke Humphries. For services to Darts. (Crewe, Cheshire)

Michael Llowarch Warburton Flower Viscount Ashbrook. For services to Charity and the community in Cheshire. (Northwich, Cheshire)

Jack Adrian Caine. UK Lead Volunteer for People, Scouts UK. For services to Young People. (Crewe, Cheshire)

Sue Graves. Children's Author. For services to Children with Special Educational Needs. (Chester, Cheshire)

Dr Vicki Bryony Livesey (Vicki Bryony Worswick). Director, UK Research and Innovation. For services to Industrial Decarbonisation, Carbon Capture and Storage and Net Zero. (Chester, Cheshire)

Ian John Potts. District Commissioner, South West Cheshire Scouts and Group Scout Leader, 26th South West Cheshire Scouts. For services to Young People. (Nantwich, Cheshire)

Michael Llowarch Warburton Flower Viscount Ashbrook. For services to Charity and the community in Cheshire. (Northwich, Cheshire)

Ram Prakash Gupta. For services to the community in Lancashire and Greater Manchester. (Blackburn, Lancashire).

Joseph William Adams. For services to Altrincham Football Club and to Charitable Fundraising. (Altrincham, Greater Manchester).

Josephine Allen. Chief Executive, The Counselling and Family Centre. For services to Mental Health and to Charity. (Altrincham, Greater Manchester).

Debra Ann Batchelor. Fundraiser and Volunteer, The Margaret Haes Riding Centre. For services to People with Disabilities in Bury. (Bury, Greater Manchester).

Luba Brown. Executive Officer, Department for Work and Pensions. For services to Ukrainian Refugees. (Stockport, Greater Manchester).

Susan Margaret Crook. Founding Member, Dobcross Youth Band. For services to Music and to the community in Dobcross. (Oldham, Greater Manchester).

Norma Geoghegan. Volunteer, Imperial War Museum North. For services to Heritage and the community in Manchester. (Manchester, Greater Manchester).

Kevin Frederick Green. Group Scout Leader and Training Adviser, 1st Shevington (Wigan) Scout Group. For services to Young People. (Wigan, Greater Manchester).

Dr Prashant Jayantilal Ladva. Doctor, NHS and Chief Executive Officer, LinkMedics. For services to British Citizen Doctors Trained Overseas. (Bolton, Greater Manchester).

Colin John Parker. Volunteer, Imperial War Museum North. For services to Heritage and the community in Manchester. (Altrincham, Greater Manchester).

William Sudworth. Organiser, Duke of Edinburgh Centre, St Mary's Bowdon Parish. For services to Young People and the community in Trafford, Greater Manchester. (Stockport, Greater Manchester).

Dr Marrion Joy Watson. Volunteer. For services to People with Dementia in Salford. (Manchester , Greater Manchester).

Dwayne Michael Wells. Head of Commercial, Arriva Yorkshire. For services to the Bus Sector. (Saddleworth, Greater Manchester).

Kathryn Burgess. Founder, Cheshire Girls Football League. For services to Girls Football in Mid Cheshire. (Northwich, Cheshire)

Paul Kinnersley Nixon. For services to Ukrainian Refugees. (Macclesfield, Cheshire)

Stuart Campbell Plaskett. Crew Manager, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service. For services to Charity. (Knutsford, Cheshire)

Martin Levi. lately Detective Inspector, Greater Manchester Police. (Greater Manchester)

David Mark Thomason. Detective Sergeant, Cheshire Constabulary (Cheshire)