Browse Sections

• Barlow's brief
• Education
• Special reports

New Year honours joy for pair

31/12/2001

TWO locals have been recognised by the Queen in the New Years Honours list.

Topping them is the Co-Operative Group's chief executive, Graham Melmoth, who will be receiving the prestigious Knights Bachelor title.

Graham, 63, who is married to wife Jenny and has two sons, last year led a successful merger making the Co-Op Group the world's largest consumer co-operative, with a £5billion turnover.

Graham, who lives in Macclesfield, said: "On a personal level, I am obviously honoured and delighted.

"However, I would like to think that this is a recognition of the progress made in recent years by the Co-Operative Movement in the UK."

He was recognised along with Hilary Ross, from Poynton, who received the MBE for her work as former assistant director of finance at Stockport Borough Council.

A total of 971 people were included in the list, and Downing Street said the intention in particular was to honour those delivering public services.

About half were nominated by members of the public, but knighthoods and CBEs still largely went to national figures, ranks of civil servants and military officers.