SOME Monmouthshire residents have featured in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list for their contribution to the community and the world of business.

One notable recipient was an MBE for Stuart McLester, well-known for his 17 years as chair of governors at Monmouth Comprehensive School (MCS) who was recognised for his services to education and the community in the town. Although he stepped down from the role in 2014 saying that he is leaving the school in a “far, far better place” than when he joined, he still plays an active role in the running of the school.

Vaughan Davies, headteacher of the school, paid tribute to Mr McLester saying the community of MCS is delighted that he has been awarded the MBE in the New Year’s Honour list.

“Mr McLester has been a governor at the school for over 25 years, serving as chair of the governing body for the majority of that time. During his time of office, he has supported the school through many successes and challenges. More recently he has played a massive role in supporting the building of the new school. Mr McLester has also been the chair of governors at Coalway Junior school and has supported many community and voluntary groups in the area.

“Mr McLester is a husband, father and, more recently, grandfather. He is committed to his family, his community and especially the value and importance of comprehensive education. He has never stinted in his passion for the best education for all. His services to education are without doubt deserving of this recognition in the Honour’s list for 2018.”

Mr Davies, Headteacher, and current chair of governors, Ms Vicky Smith, praised the work of Mr McLester. “We are very fortunate that Stuart has served our school. He has never shied away from the huge responsibility which is given voluntary. He is extraordinary in his energy, passion and generosity. He is hugely knowledgeable and skilled in the importance of governance and is often asked by local and national organisations for his advice and guidance. We are indebted, more than he will ever know, for what he has achieved for education and children in our community.”

Monmouth resident Sean Dennehey, deputy chief executive of the Intellectual Property Office, was awarded Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to Intellectual Property.

Another Monmouth resident, Professor Simon Gibson, was made CBE. Prof Gibson is chairman and founder of the Alacrity Foundation and chief executive of Wesley Clover Corporation.

His contributions to Welsh business are numerous and include helping Sir Terry Matthews grow Newbridge Networks into a multi-billion dollar brand, and founding Ubiquity Software Corporation, the winner of a prestigious European Innovator of the Year award.

Professor Gibson, who had been appointed head of marketing at Matthews’ firm, Newbridge Networks said: “Newbridge Networks started in Chepstow above a dry cleaner’s and in Ottawa above a furniture store and 10 years later it was worth ten billion dollars”.

Raglan resident, Alexander Khan, chief executive officer of Lifetime Training, was given Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to Apprenticeships.

Usk man Mark Langshaw, managing director, of Continental Teves Ltd was also awarded an MBE for services to the economy and community in Blaenau Gwent.

A former manager at a ward at Chepstow Community Hospital, Mrs Louise Mary Rooney was awarded an MBE for services to nursing and prison healthcare in Monmouthshire.

In 2011 she was asked to review health services at Usk Prison with a view to transferring the service to Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, and this is where she identified an urgent need for improvement in several areas.

She not only improved outpatient appointments and appointment cancellations for prisoners but secured mental health, optometry and dental services for the inmates.

Mrs Rooney said: “I’m absolutely thrilled and very humbled to be awarded the MBE, it's amazing to be recognised in this way for just doing my job.”

Congratulations also goes to Monmouthshire’s Mrs Rachel Duncan Morgan for her MBE in the New Year Honours for her services to UK Antarctic Heritage and Conservation. A former director of the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKAHT), Mrs Morgan ran the trust with husband Tudor from the couple’s home in Kingcoed before she stood down from the role in 2014.

UKAHT was set up to conserve Antarctic buildings and artefacts and to promote the legacy of Antarctic science.