Michael Brophy, the fundraiser who transformed Charities Aid Foundation during his 20-year tenure as its chief executive, was among a clutch of charity sector figures honoured in this year’s New Year Honours list.
Brophy, who spent seven years as director of fundraising at the then-Spastics Society (now Scope) before joining Charities Aid Foundation as CEO and increasing its funds under management from £12m to £1.5bn over the following two decades, was given a CBE in the 2014 Honours.
He also won the Outstanding Leadership Award at the 2009 Charity Awards.
John Low, chief executive of CAF, said: “We are still building on [Brophy’s] tenacious campaigns in the 1980s and 1990s to introduce payroll giving and gift aid in the UK, which continue to have a huge impact on charities across the country, boosting donations and helping charities continue their vital work.”
Alan Parker, chair of Save the Children, received a knighthood, as did philanthropist Roger de Haan, former head of the Saga Group.
Justin Forsyth, chief executive of Save the Children, said of Parker’s knighthood: “As chair of Save the Children for nearly six years he has helped transform the charity. Alan's commitment and passion for our cause has made a huge difference to millions of children at home and abroad.”
Other sector personalities that were awarded CBEs included Astrid Bonfield, former CEO of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund; Donna Covey, former chief executive of the Refugee Council; and Professor Anthony Crook, chair of Shelter and deputy chair, of Orbit Housing Group.
Campbell Robb, chief executive of Shelter, said of Crook’s award: “I am delighted at the news that Professor Anthony Crook has been awarded a well deserved CBE in this year's New Year's Honours list.
“Tony has worked tirelessly for Shelter since its founding and especially recently as chair, and has made a lasting contribution to its ongoing work.”
Arthur Foot, country director for Somalia and Somaliland at Save the Children; Susan Bott, director of Disability Rights UK; and James Smith, chief executive of the Aegis Trust, were also awarded CBEs.
Jane Ashcroft, who has been chief executive of Anchor Trust since 2010, received a CBE for her services to older people. The British Red Cross' new chair, David Berstein, also took one of the honours.
She said: “It is an enormous honour to be recognised in this way. I am very proud to lead an organisation in which so many people work tirelessly to enable older people to live fulfilling and happy lives with us.”
MBEs were awarded to Gloria Maria Armstead, founding member and fundraiser of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Aware UK, and Elizabeth Ashworth, chief executive of Surrey County Agricultural Society.
Other sector people that were awarded MBEs included Linda Ann James, chief executive officer at BulliesOut; Mary Margaret Williams, founder of North Wales Superkids, and Wilma Bryden Gunn, founder of Scottish Heart at Risk Testing.
Margaret Saunders, founder of the Fan Charity and Helen Sinclair, founder of Friends of the Animals, were both awarded an MBE.
Stuart Jeffrey Nixon, trustee and vice chair of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, who has had MS since he was 18, was awarded an MBE for voluntary service to people with the illness. Former MS Society chief executive, Simon Gillespie, nominated Nixon for the award.
Gillespie said: “His leadership, dogged determination and sharp insight inspire all who come into contact with him, whether in his professional life at the Aneurin Bevan Health Board or as a volunteer for the MS Society.”
Margaret and Barry Mizen, who set up the Jimmy Mizen Foundation after their son was murdered in south London in 2008, have been awarded MBEs for their services to young people.
Trevor John Gray Jarvis, ambassador for dementia at the Alzheimer’s Society, received the British Empire Medal for voluntary services in promoting dementia friendly communities.
Additional reporting by Tania Mason.
