THE achievements of people from across Oxfordshire are recognised today in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Educators, academics, sports people and community figures are all on the list, released to mark the Queen’s official birthday. The most familiar local name is Rowan Atkinson, who lives in Waterperry near Wheatley, and becomes a CBE.

The 58-year-old, who first found fame as part of the team behind Not The Nine O’Clock News, said: “It came as a genuine surprise and is a great honour.”

Ann Black, 62, secretary of the onstituency Labour Party, Oxford East was awarded an OBE for parliamentary and political service.

Ms Black is a national executive member and has been on the committee since 2000.

She has worked with Labour leaders including Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

Ms Black, a computer programmer at Oxford Brookes University and a steward with union Unison, said: “It’s my understanding it was Ed Miliband who recommended me.”

Botley resident Sheenagh Reynolds, a digital director with the Department for Communities and Local Government, was nominated for her services to digital public services. Mrs Reynolds, who worked for the city council in the mid-1990s, said: “I am absolutely over the moon.”

Andrew Dilnot CBE, Warden of Oxford University’s Nuffield College, received a knighthood for services to economics and economic policy.

Chairman of the UK Statistics Authority, and principal of St Hugh’s College from 2002 to last year, Prof Dilnot said: “I am deeply honoured, and very grateful to all my colleagues over the years.”

Prof Hermione Lee CBE, President of Wolfson College at Oxford University, and Professor of English Literature, has been made a Dame.

Prof Lee, 65, who lives at the college with husband Prof John Barnard, said: “I am absolutely delighted and extremely surprised.”

Prof Terence Cave, professor of French Literature at Oxford University, has been awarded an OBE for services to literary scholarship, and said: “This is a boost for my colleagues.”

Prof Peter Dobson, director of Oxford University’s Begbroke Business and Science Park, was awarded an OBE for services to science and engineering.

He was nominated for his work for the research councils as the strategic adviser on Nanotechnology, research into very small particles.

Prof Dobson, 70, of Summertown, said: “I am thrilled with the news.”

David Hutchison, from Abingdon, the chief executive officer of bank Social Finance received an OBE for services to finance.

He has worked for the organisation since 2009 and heads up a team of 30 whose aim is to help raise cash for investment in firms and projects to make social changes.

A number of sportsmen and women were also celebrating achievements. Chief executive of the British Equestrian Federation Andrew Finding, who lives near Banbury, was awarded the OBE for services to equestrianism and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The 62-year-old has headed up the national governing body for equestrian sport in Great Britain since 2000. Mr Finding said: “As part of a team where so many individuals have achieved so much I am deeply honoured to receive this award on their behalf.”

Dr Elizabeth Teague , from Oxford, was at Buckingham Palace on Thursday to receive her OBE for services to the Foreign Office. Dr Teague worked in the British Embassy in Moscow in 2010.

OTHER RECIPIENTS

ORDER OF THE BATH
 

  • Paul Kirby from Wallingford. Formerly director, No 10 Policy Unit. For services to public service reform.

OBE
 

  • Robert Fleming of Bicester. Philanthropist. For charitable services.
  • Prof Anthony Francis Heath, FBA of Oxford. Professor of Sociology, University of Manchester and Emeritus Professor of Sociology University of Oxford. For services to social science.
  • Charles Edward Hunter-Pease of Beckley. Trustee, Royal National Lifeboat Institution. For services to maritime safety.
  • Prof Julia Noble of Oxford. Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford. For services to science and engineering.
  • Pauline Odulinski of Thame. Principal and chief executive, Aylesbury College. For services to further education.
  • Teresa Kelly, principal of Abingdon and Witney College, for services to further education and young people with learning difficulties and disabilities.

MBE
 

  • George Baker of Kidlington. Senior Officer, HM Prison Huntercombe. For services to the community.
  • Dr Lucy Carpenter of Oxford. Emeritus Fellow, Nuffield College, University of Oxford and secretary, Blackfriars Overseas Aid Trust, Oxford. For services to public health in the UK and abroad.
  • Sally Munday of Chinnor. Chief executive, England Hockey and chief Operating Officer, Great Britain Hockey. For services to hockey.