There are always big stories on WalesOnline - don't miss any with our daily email Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign me up now Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice The first footballer to win 100 caps for Wales has been chosen as one of dozens of Welshmen and women to be named in the Queen’s birthday honours. Scientists, policemen and a Paralympic athlete are just some of the inspirational figures listed for recognition for the Queen’s 92nd birthday. As part of celebrations a total of 1,350 people across the UK will gain honours, including five CBEs to be awarded in Wales. Here is the full list of the people across the country who have been thanked for their tireless work. CBE Kenneth Martin Follett. Author. For services to Literature and to charity. (Image: Matthew Horwood) The grandson of a miner from Mountain Ash, Ken Follett has sold millions of copies of his best-selling work around the world. The Cardiff-born author, who joined the Echo in 1971 but is now known the world over for his Century and Kingsbridge series, said: “I am very pleased and proud to receive this honour for doing something I love – making books and stories as entertaining and accessible as possible. “Reading is a hugely important part of my life and I am glad to have helped others to enjoy it too.” Professor Graham John Hutchings, FRS. For services to Chemistry and to Innovation. (Image: Cardiff University) A Cardiff University scientist who discovered a more environmentally friendly way of producing one of the world’s most commonly used plastics, PVC, been awarded an CBE. Professor Graham Hutchings, Director of Cardiff University’s Cardiff Catalysis Institute, was awarded the Advanced Environmental Solutions Prize from the Italian company ENI for developing a substitute for the harmful and toxic mercury catalyst that is used in PVC’s production process. Described as the ‘Nobel Prize of energy research’, the ENI awards are one of the top prizes for researchers in the field of energy and environmental science and have a prestigious list of recipients in its 10-year history. Professor Hutchings’ most valued discovery is that the precious metal gold has the remarkable ability to catalyse reactions much more efficiently than others that are used in industry. In particular, gold can be used in the reaction to produce vinyl chloride – the main ingredient of one of the world’s most commonly used plastic, PVC. As a result of Professor Hutchings’ pioneering work, a gold catalyst is now being produced at a purpose built factory in China by global chemicals company Johnson Matthey in order to catalyse the production of vinyl chloride – the first time in over 50 years that a complete overhaul in catalyst formulation has been implemented to produce a commodity chemical. Current estimates suggest that 20 million tonnes of vinyl chloride could be manufactured each year using the gold catalyst. Now the professor has been honoured for his groundbreaking work. He said: “It’s an absolute honour and privilege to receive this recognition and it is something that I will certainly cherish dearly with my family and friends. “Science is underpinned by collaboration, and I have no doubt that my work in the field of chemistry would not have had as much impact as it has without the constant support of my colleagues over the past 40 years, so I’m also extremely grateful to them.” Professor Billie Hunter. Professor of Midwifery Cardiff University. For services to Midwifery and to Midwifery Education in the UK and Europe. (Image: Cardiff University) Huw Vaughan Thomas. Auditor General Wales. For services to Public Audit and Accountability in Wales. Other recipients: Alun Howard Tucker. Formerly Member UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. For services to International Justice. OBE Mark Andrew Polin, QPM. Chief Constable, North Wales Police. For services to Policing. (Denbighshire) (Image: Daily Post Wales) The head of North Wales Police has been awarded an OBE. Mark Polin joined the police service in 1983, working in the City of London police where he worked up to the rank of Chief Inspector. In his last posting with the City of London Police, he was in charge of operations in Snow Hill, with particular responsibility for security operations at the Central Criminal Court. In 1998 he transferred on promotion to Gwent Police as the Superintendent in charge of various central operational functions, including the Force Control Room and the firearms, public order and traffic units, before being appointed as Chief Superintendent and Divisional Commander of Caerphilly Division in December 1999. Prior to his appointment as Deputy Chief Constable in Gloucestershire Constabulary in October 2007, he held two other Chief Officer portfolios as an Assistant Chief Constable. He was appointed Chief Constable of North Wales Police in September 2009. Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said: “During his long and distinguished policing career, Mark Polin has provided excellent leadership and exemplified his very deep commitment to community policing at every turn. He has been a credit to North Wales Police and is held in the highest regard not just by his colleagues, but across the range of partners that the Force works with and the communities that it serves. “My sincerest congratulations to him on this very worthy honour. Robert James, Managing Director at AerFin Ltd. Awarded an OBE for services to Exports in the Aerospace Industry (Image: HUW JOHN) After studying Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering in 1984, Mr James – known as Bob – went on to work for companies such as Rolls Royce PLC, British Airways and General Electric. He established AerFin – a Caerphilly-based aircraft and spares services firm,– in September 2010, which, since it was launched has invested more than £65m buying aircraft frames and component parts, which it recycles and then sells or leases to the likes of Lufthansa, Air France and Philippine Airlines. He is renowned for his passion for the aviation business and his entrepreneurial leadership style and was named on the Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 in 2017 after seeing a massive 664% rise in international sales. Other recipients: Miss Patricia Eileen Fernon. Deputy head Commercial Land Equipment, Ministry of Defence. For services to Defence Procurement. (Chepstow) Robert Noel Hudson. Formerly director All-Wales Collaborative. For services to the NHS in Wales. (Bassaleg, Newport, Gwent) Adam Troy Lawrence. Formerly chief executive Royal Mint. For public service and services to the community in South Wales. (Chipping Sodbury) Mrs Marlize Palmer. Departmental Records Officer, Welsh Government. For services to Information Management. (Pontcanna, Cardiff) Jeffery Howard Savory. For services to Disability Sport. (Barry, Vale of Glamorgan) Dr Stephen Thomas. Principal of Medetec Independent Medical Device consultant (Wound Dressings) and Medical Writer. For services to the NHS. (Cardiff) MBE Professor Haley Gomez, Head of Outreach and Engagement School of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University. Awarded an MBE for services to Astrophysics, to Astronomy and to Outreach Activities (Image: Freelance) A female scientist at Cardiff University from Barry has also been honoured in this year’s Birthday Honours. Professor Haley Gomez, who studied her undergraduate degree at Cardiff University, is fascinated by the idea that we all come from stars, describing the notion as “poetic”. Her research focuses cosmic dust in a bid to understand the building blocks of life. As a child growing up in Barry, Haley enjoyed English and drama as well as the intellectual challenge associated with the sciences, but when her girls’ school couldn’t offer A-level physics, she transferred to the nearby boys’ school to pursue her interests Now Head of Outreach and Engagement School of Physics and Astronomy at Cardiff University, Haley wants to inspire the next generation. In July 2015 she was awarded the Royal Astronomical Society’s Fowler prize which is given to an astronomer who has “made a particularly noteworthy contribution to the astronomical sciences at an early stage of their research career” She said: “Both my parents left school at 11 years old and my mum had three children by the age of 21. “They had a hard time looking after us. I went to a tough school but the teachers were inspirational.<doc-sep>Mark Polin is retiring from his role in late July and will take up a new position as chairman of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in September.<doc-sep>Mr Banner said: "When the letter fell through the door it said 'from Her Majesty's secret service' - I thought they were going to ask me to be the new James Bond!<doc-sep>
North Wales' top cop, a woman who helps the homeless, a musician, an auditor and a geologist are among those awarded in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours. Chief Constable Mark Polin of North Wales Police has been given the Order of the British Empire (OBE). Congratulating him, Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said: “During his long and distinguished policing career, Mark Polin has provided excellent leadership and exemplified his very deep commitment to community policing at every turn. “He has been a credit to North Wales Police and is held in the highest regard not just by his colleagues, but across the range of partners that the force works with and the communities that it serves. “My sincerest congratulations to him on this very worthy honour.” (Image: Daily Post) The Queen’s Birthday Honours List recognises the achievements of a wide range of extraordinary people across the UK. Huw Vaughan Thomas from Colwyn Bay, auditor general for Wales, was honoured with the Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to public audit and accountability in Wales. Recipients of the Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) were David Raymond Humphreys from Deeside for services to education and geology, Elaine Sleeman, also from Deeside, for services to music, and Brenda Fogg from Llandudno for services to homeless people in the town. Ms Fogg arrived in Llandudno nine years ago with nothing but her two small children in tow and carrying two black bin bags filled with their possessions. She had escaped an abusive marriage and arrived in North Wales with her family hoping for a fresh start. (Image: Ian Cooper) Soon after moving, Brenda became the caretaker at her local church and within months she was making sandwiches for the homeless people living on the streets. The people she helped began to call her the “Angel of Llandudno” when she began going out at night armed with blankets and food to help those in need. It was at this time she decided to start up a charity called Hope Restored. Today, Brenda has amassed a team of volunteers who all give up their time to work at the Lighthouse Community Church on the West Shore in Llandudno. They give out hot meals to around 25 homeless and needy people on Tuesdays and Fridays, and also offer advice and help on finding accommodation. The British Empire Medal is granted in recognition of meritorious civil or military service. Like the ribbons used for other classes of the Order of the British Empire, the ribbon of the British Empire Medal is rose-pink with pearl-grey edges. Ms Fogg said: “I’m very proud to have been awarded a BEM. I think my guys at Hope Restored will be proud of me too. “But I don’t do it for any awards. My passion is to help the homeless and those in need, and I’ll do it as long as I can.” Mr Cairns said: “It is with great delight that I congratulate those who have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. “These honours acknowledge the incredible achievements of outstanding individuals who work tirelessly to improve the lives of others and inspire those around them. “I am proud to see people from all walks of Welsh life being recognised for their achievements and I am grateful for their commitment and dedication to their communities. Congratulations to you all.”