The Queen's Honours - crafting the toughest application of all

With the awarding of Queen’s Honours (MBEs, OBEs, CBEs and Knighthoods) twice a year - in the New Year and on the Queen’s official birthday in June - comes the predictable media scrutiny as to who does (or doesn’t) deserve their gong and whether the system – deemed by some to be arbitrary, anachronistic and corrupt – should exist at all.

Like it or loathe it, we’ve all got an opinion.

“The UK Honours system is a very emotive subject,” says Kendal-based PR and Queen’s Honour Consultant, Jo Spencer.

“But it’s a subject that people find endlessly fascinating. A lady sitting beside me on a flight last summer asked me about my work. From take-off to landing, all we spoke about was what it takes to get a Queen’s Honour.”

The job is very specialised. Two and a half years ago, Jo was helping clients across the NorthWest win industry awards; today, after joining Sussex-based organisation, Awards Intelligence, she now works with national and international clients producing professionally-tailored nominations which give them the edge in an increasingly competitive arena.

Awards Intelligence, which also has an office in Mayfair, was founded just over a decade ago by charismatic CEO Mark Llewellyn-Slade and specialises in drafting successful nominations for industry awards, Queen’s Award for Enterprise (QAEs), entry into the House of Lords and of course, Queen’s Honours.

It is the only company in the world to offer a drafting service for Queen’s Honours, and enjoys a success rate more than six times higher than the average. That’s 63 per cent as opposed to just 10 per cent if you were to produce it yourself, so it’s hardly surprising that the company is busier than ever.

So, who can receive a coveted gong and what exactly does the process entail?

This year, 1,123 men and women were recognised in the New Year Honours list, with women making up 49 per cent of those awarded and 9.2 per cent of recipients originating from a black, Asian and minority ethnic background. This year's list is six per cent smaller than last year, when 1,197 honours were awarded, and the smallest since 2013 when 1,223 were handed out.

“Generally, accolades are presented to those who fall into two categories: those involved in voluntary/community service and those at the top of their field such as outstanding entrepreneurs, scientists, educators and business leaders,” explains Jo.

“When it comes to Queen’s honours, the press tends to focus on celebrities and politicians, but the truth is that the majority of recipients are ordinary people doing extraordinary things. That’s really who the UK Honours system seeks to acknowledge.”

Indeed, the majority of people recognised in this year’s New Year Honours list - 70 per cent in fact – have been recognised for 'undertaking outstanding work in their communities', with a number of worthy beneficiaries from across Cumbria and the NorthWest.

Approximately 2,300 Honours are awarded each year across nine sectors (community/voluntary, economy/business, arts & media, health, state, education, sport, science & technology and political service).

Once a nomination has been submitted to the Cabinet Office, this is passed to the Honours and Appointments Secretariat, then to one of the nine specialist committees with promising candidates assessed by the main honours committee.

Definitive recommendations are subsequently made to the Prime Minister prior to final approval by the Queen. The process can take between 12-24 months from start to finish.

“The Queen’s Honour judging process is considered by many to be quite mysterious, but it is actually very structured,” says Jo.

“What takes the time is writing the nomination and gathering the required letters of support. We can spend up to 150 hours on each nomination, which can be 8,000-10,000 words long.

"Of course, anyone can submit a nomination by downloading the relevant forms from the Cabinet Office website and completing them; clients come to us however, because they want the best possible chance of success. After all, you only get one shot.”

Having completed more than 700 nominations since 2007 and with such high-profile clients on their books, one has to wonder how many famous faces have passed through Awards Intelligence’s doors?

“That, I cannot say!” says Jo. “Awards Intelligence offers a completely confidential service and doesn’t reveal the names of past clients. Neither do they lobby or campaign on their clients’ behalf. They do however, make the honours system more accessible by shining a spotlight on worthy candidates from all walks of life.” And that can only be a good thing.

Busting the Myths: Queen’s Honours facts…

* The UK honours system is centuries old, stretching back to the Norman conquest. In 1917 it began to recognise ‘ordinary’ Britons, with King George V founding the Order of the British Empire (OBE) to honour the thousands of First World War non-combatants whose service would otherwise have gone unrecognised.

* Age is no barrier to success. This year, 101-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Mordaunt Cohen, received an MBE for services to Second World War education, with Lucia Mee, 18, the youngest to be recognised with a British Empire Medal for her work raising awareness of organ donation.

* The UK Honours system is open to anyone in the world, not just British citizens. In 2017, Awards Intelligence received more international Queen’s Honour enquiries than ever before.

* Queen’s Honours can only be given to those who are still alive. Presently, there is no process for awarding posthumous accolades – yet.

* What many people don’t realise, is that they have the power. The entire Queen’s Honour system is driven by the general public; thanks to them, every year, many ‘ordinary’ people undertaking exceptional professional or community work are recognised for their achievements. Anyone can nominate a friend, family member, colleague or business contact, so if you know a potentially worthy recipient, do something about it!

Awards Intelligence – www.awardsintelligence.co.uk - 01444 230130; Jo Spencer – 07887 868269.