Hollywood Monster chairman Tim Andrews secured an MBE for services to charity and the community in Birmingham in his role as a co-founder of LoveBrum.
“Many individuals have personally helped me along the way and I'd like to dedicate this honour to the people of Birmingham who have shown incredible resilience and togetherness during unprecedented times. I am proud to be a Brummie," said Andrews.
LoveBrum supports what it describes as "hidden gem projects" across Birmingham to increase civic pride. Every month three local causes are nominated and LoveBrum members vote on which to support, with the winning cause receiving funding and 12 months' business and marketing support. Its goal is to support 36 mainly volunteer projects across the city every year.
The registered charity was founded in 2014 by Andrews and PJ Ellis and through his involvement Andrews has raised more than £750,000.
Andrews said he was “bursting with pride” on receiving the honour
As well as to his fellow Brummies, Andrews dedicated the Award to his late father, who he founded the original wide-format business with in 1991, starting from their loft space and building the business up before merging their two sister companies Hollywood Signs and Monster Digital in 2009 to create Hollywood Monster.
Today the £10m turnover business employs 70 staff and is run day-to-day by managing director Simon McKenzie.
This year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List was described as recognising “the extraordinary efforts made by individuals in all four nations of the United Kingdom during the pandemic”, with nearly 23% of recipients gaining awards for their Covid-19 service and achievements.
Despite the huge industry-wide efforts to produce face shields and face coverings at the height of the crisis last year, the list lacks any of the names who were at the forefront of those efforts.
However, Bath-based artist, engineer and inventor Edward Chudleigh RA received an MBE after using his lab to set up Foldall Face Shields, which delivered more than 80,000 face shields in 10 weeks to the NHS and frontline workers.
He is now using the lab to develop devices that could help tackle the global plastics crisis.
A long-standing advocate of local newspaper journalism also received a gong.
Newsquest chief executive and News Media Association chairman Henry Faure Walker received an MBE for services to news journalism and charity.
His local news media career spans nearly 20 years, with various senior roles at Johnston Press and The Scotsman prior to becoming CEO of Newsquest in April 2014.
Faure Walker said it was “an absolute honour” to receive the award “but the real recognition should go to the amazing people that work in local news publishing across the UK”.
“It is their news brands that not only provide their communities with essential trusted news but also provide such valuable support in championing charities and promoting local businesses,” he said.
Margaret Busby OBE, co-founder of Allison & Busby and Britain’s first black female publisher in the 1960s was awarded a CBE for services to publishing.
Faber & Faber CEO Stephen Page received an OBE, also for services to publishing.
