ueen's list - Accountants honoured

The Queen’s birthday honours list paid tribute to the contribution of accountants working within a wide range of capacities – from the arts to standard setting and practice.

Scottish ICA member and chief executive of Morgan Grenfell Asset Management, Sir Robert Haldane Smith, was made a knight batchelor for his services to the National Museums of Scotland while KPMG senior partner Gerald Acher, Ernst & Young corporate recovery partner Stephen Adamson and ASB technical director Allan Cook were appointed CBEs.

Acher was honoured for his service to transport for disabled people as he is vice-chairman of Motability – a post he has held for five years, while his involvement with the organisation stretches to more than 10 years. He began as its auditor before becoming governor and then vice-chairman.

Adamson, one of the insolvency profession’s most distinguished practitioners, became a member of the Insolvency Practitioners Association in 1978 and was elected a member of council in 1984. He was appointed president in 1989 and helped create the Society of Practitioners of Insolvency.

He is also a past president of the global insolvency body INSOL.

Cook joined the ASB when it was founded in 1990 and has been an excellent back-room for Sir David Tweedie.

While Sir David has framed the larger picture and argued the ASB’s corner in public, Cook has borne the responsibility for ensuring the board’s documents and standards were technically sound.

Before taking up the role of technical director, Cook previously served as a secretary for the International Accounting Standards Committee and held senior accounting positions with both Shell and Unilever. Although Cook was honoured with a CBE for his services to the accountancy profession, a colleague suggested he would probably prefer to be recognised for his efforts on behalf of the UK business community and the cause of improved accounting around the world.

Diageo chairman Tony Greener, a CIMA member, received a knighthood. He will step down from the company next year.

Other accountants recognised include Thomas Corrigan, with an OBE for services to the Charter Mark Award Scheme and sole practitioner Robert Storey, with an MBE for services to scouting. An MBE was given to John Moreels, group managing director at design, photographic and print company Ward Philipson Group.

Moreels received his award for his services to small businesses through his support of the Tyne & Wear Business Club as chairman between 1983-1985 and subsequently as director of Durham Business Club since 1987. His recent projects have included schools and business links, local enterprise agencies and the ‘Recharge North East’ support scheme.

CBs were awarded to Inland Revenue national insurance Contributions Agency director George Bertram, Treasury Public Services Directorate director Edward Gieve and his deputy Gillian Noble. NHS finance and performance director Colin Reeves was awarded a CBE.

English ICA member John Bird, a court of common council member of the Corporation of London, gained an OBE for his services to the City and his work on behalf of charity.

Internal auditor Matthew Prater was awarded an MBE in recognition for his services to the Notting Hill Housing Trust and Stella Pirie, chairman of Westec, the training and enterprise council, was similarly honoured.

Peter Johnson, a chartered accountant working in Kenya, gained an MBE for his welfare work with the local British community.

Several additional OBEs and MBEs went to Inland Revenue, Treasury and Customs & Excise staff, including an OBE for public accounts committee clerk Kennedy Brown.