Chamber board member and patron awarded MBE
Doug Wright, a board member and patron of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, has received an MBE in the Queen 's birthday honours.
Mr Wright (pictured), a McDonald 's franchisee who employs around 2,500 staff across the West Midlands, has been honoured for services to the economy and charity.
In 2021, he celebrated his 40th anniversary as part of the McDonald 's organisation, where began his career as a cleaner and worked his way through the ranks to become the owner of 21 restaurants.
His charitable initiatives include a six-year stint as chair of Ronald McDonald House Charities, where he helped the organisation raise hundreds of thousands of pounds to provide accommodation for families with children under care at nearby hospitals.
Mr Wright, who is also a Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands, said: “For somebody who started at McDonalds I 1981 I 'm astonished to received a national honour.
“What makes it even more special is that the news came at the beginning of an incredible weekend celebrating the Jubilee.
“I 've always tried to use my business success as a force for good and to try to help people and communities who are less fortunate.
“I 'd like to thank everybody across the business community who has been so generous with their time, advice and support to all of my charity work.
“I 'd like to thank all of the staff and members of the GBCC who have helped me throughout my journey. ”
The GBCC 's chief executive Henrietta Brealey said: “Doug Wright has made, and continues to make, a phenomenal contribution to the business, civic and charitable communities of the West Midlands.
“I know many across the region, whether it be those at Ronald McDonald House that he 's helped drive incredible fundraising support for, the entrepreneurs he 's mentored, the communities he 's engaged with, his fellow board members at the Chamber or his own team within his Wright Restaurants (T/A McDonalds) business, will be delighted to see him recognised with this great honour. ”
Meanwhile, Sarah-Jane Marsh, the chief executive of Birmingham Women 's and Children 's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, has received a CBE for services to leadership in the NHS.
Alongside her BWC duties, she was asked to become director of testing at the NHS Test and Trace in response to the Covid-19 pandemic - working under huge pressure to create the capacity to perform more than 500,000 tests a day in less than six months.
She said: “To be awarded a CBE for the honour of leading such a brilliant group of people, alongside the national work I have been afforded the opportunity to combine with it, is humbling, and I thank those who have taken the time to nominate and support me. ”
Rob Colbourne, managing director of Midlands training provider Performance Through People, has been awarded an OBE.
Mr Colbourne has headed PTP Training, part of the BCTG Group, for nearly 18 years, and was behind the launch of The Ladder campaign that has created more than 4,000 apprenticeships across the region since 2018.
He has received the honour in recognition of his services to the training and apprenticeship sector.
Mr Colbourne, aged 52, who is married with three children and lives in Walsall, said: “I may be picking up the award, but this OBE really is a reflection of teamwork both here at PTP and across the wider BCTG Group. ”
Other notable West Midlands figures recognised in the honours list include ITV newsreader Bob Warman, who has received an MBE for services to broadcasting and journalism.