Games figureheads and Gymshark boss dominate New Year Honours

Key figures behind the successful Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games have been recognised in the New Year Honours list.

And there were also honours for Ben Francis, founder and CEO of fitness brand Gymshark, and Shah Begum, a Birmingham-based paralegal at international law firm Gowling WLG.

The 2023 honours list is dominated by those who led the organising committee of last summer 's Games - with Birmingham 2022 chair and past Chamber president John Crabtree (pictured) becoming a knight and chief executive Ian Reid receiving a CBE.

Former Birchfield Harriers athlete Denise Lewis - the president of Commonwealth Games England - has been made a Dame.

Commonwealth Games England chair Ian Metcalfe receives an OBE, while Chris Jones, the project director of the Sandwell Aquatics Centre, lands an MBE.

Reid, who has led the team for more than four and a half years, said: “I am immensely proud to have been awarded a CBE in the New Year honours list. It was unexpected but it 's a lovely surprise at the end of a very special year.

“An event on this scale can only be successfully delivered by a huge team of people and although the work of some individuals has been highlighted through these honours, I would like to once again thank everyone involved in helping to stage Birmingham 2022.

“So many people made a huge contribution through their hard work and dedication, and we could not have done it without them. ”

Crabtree added: “For my part, I am both honoured and humbled to be awarded a knighthood and to be in the company of wonderful people from across the West Midlands that make a real difference. ”

Shah Begum 's British Empire Medal recognises her services to diversity inclusion and inclusion, having been an integral part of the Games legacy integration team while on secondment at Birmingham 2022.

Shah said: “It has been an honour to be part of a legacy programme that has been a huge catalyst to enable engagement at local level and for future generations to build upon. ”

British Empire medals also go to Sarah Coffey, executive assistant to the chief executive officer at Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and Beth Stimpson, head of legacy at Birmingham 2022.

Meanwhile, Gymshark founder Francis receives an MBE for services to the business sector in recognition of his success with the Solihull-headquartered global fitness brand.

An MBE also went to Birmingham Tech founder and CEO Yiannas Maos, while Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce chief executive Sara Williams received an OBE.

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce chief executive Henrietta Brealey said: "On behalf of the Chamber, congratulations to all of our members and representatives of the local business community who have been recognised in King Charles ' first New Year Honours.

"Each of these individuals, and the organisations they work with, are making a huge positive impact on Birmingham and the West Midlands.

"The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games showcased the best of the region and power of sport and the arts to bring people together.

"It is great to see a number of individuals connected with the Games nominated, including a knighthood for the extraordinary John Crabtree, a past president of the Chamber."