News story

King’s Birthday Honours

Scottish Secretary congratulates Scottish honours recipients

Speaking as King Charles’ first birthday honours were announced, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:

My warmest congratulations go to all the Scottish recipients of the King’s birthday honours.

Scots are well represented in His Majesty’s first honours list, which showcases the best of Scottish talent - including sport, the arts, community and education.

Footballing legend John Greig’s CBE is a fitting tribute to his lifetime contribution to Scottish sport, and his charitable work raising funds for veterans and supporting facilities for people with dementia. Broadcaster and national treasure Ken Bruce receives an MBE in recognition of his many decades of UK broadcasting. Bill Gray has been a stalwart of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland for many years, and played a key role in the organisation’s recovery from covid. And Councillor James Stockan receives an MBE for his unstinting work to improve the lives of island communities as the leader of Orkney Council.

I also pay tribute to the many Scots who have been recognised for their selfless and unstinting charity and voluntary work. The length and breadth of Scotland, the commitment of so many unsung heroes keeps local communities not just alive but thriving. I am very pleased that so many of those committed citizens have been recognised today.

The Scottish recipients include:

  • Jacqui Ballie MSP, Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. For political and public service.

  • John Greig (former Rangers and Scotland player), CBE: For services to football and the community in Scotland.

  • Ken Bruce (broadcaster), MBE: For services to radio, to autism awareness and charity.

  • Gordon Reid (professional wheelchair tennis player), OBE. For services to tennis. Gordon is a Paralympic gold, silver, and bronze medallist

  • Sally Magnusson (broadcaster and author), MBE: For services to people with dementia.

  • Councillor James Stockan (Leader of Orkney Islands Council), MBE: For services to local government.

  • Paul Little (Principal and Chief Executive of City of Glasgow College), CBE. For services to education.

  • Bill Gray (former chair of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland), MBE. For services to agriculture, charity and the community in Scotland. Bill has served the RHASS for a number of years as director and chair. He helped the organisation – and the Royal Highland Show – recover after covid. Bill is also active in developing farming education and skills.

  • Jen Hardy (cancer campaigner), MBE. For services to cancer support. Jen, herself living with cancer, has become an inspirational campaigner for cancer treatment and support services. She successfully lobbied for the life-extending drug Pertuzumab (Perjeta) to be made available on the NHS in Scotland. She also founded the charity Cancer Card.

  • Jim Stewart (former chair of Hamilton Sound talking newspaper), MBE: For services to visually impaired people. Jim set up the Hamilton Sound talking newspaper in 1983, distributing audio recordings of the local paper to local visually impaired people. He ran the service for 39 years, only standing down as chair in 2022.

  • Jill Lauder, (hairdresser), MBE: For services to the community. Jill owns Lady J’s Unisex Hair Salon in Grangemouth and provides a free service for cancer patients. Jill set up the Feel Good Project, which, on the first Monday of every month, offers beauty treatments, support, advice, information and friendship to women who are experiencing hair loss due to treatment for cancer.

Published 16 June 2023