Gongs to honour leaders, community champions

PEOPLE from across West Wales are among more than 70 who have been recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours List for making significant contributions to their community and country.

- IAN LEWIS Reporter

A total of 1,215 recipients across the UK have been honoured for their extraordinary accomplishments, with a special emphasis this year on those dedicated to public service.

This year’s honourees include committed community leaders, sporting role models, innovators in the arts, devoted health workers and advocates for youth.

Welsh recipients constitute 6% of the total number of people receiving honours this year.

Among the leading figures and selfless community champions honoured is Carmarthenshire-born Specsavers co-founder Doug Perkins.

The entrepreneur, who founded the firm in 1984 with his wife Mary, was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the list for services to business and trade.

Mr Perkins said: "I can’t tell you how honoured I feel to receive this award for services to business as I have dedicated my entire career to helping people to see and hear more clearly. But more importantly, this is recognition for the 45,000 people around the world who work for Specsavers and for our ophthalmic surgery business Newmedica and their dedication to changing people’s lives through better sight and hearing," he said.