Dr Rob Hardeman, Acting Chair of MATRIX, the  NI Science Industry Panel, has been awarded an MBE for his services to the Advanced Manufacturing, Materials and Engineering Sector in Northern Ireland.

Dr. Hardeman led the MATRIX 2016 Advanced Manufacturing, Materials & Engineering study and is currently implementing the recommendations from the report.

Dr. Hardeman was until recently Technologist (Senior Director) at Seagate and was integral in the expansion and development of the Derry facility, taking responsibility for identifying new processes and technologies. He was appointed BITCNI’s Prince’s Ambassador for Northern Ireland in 2015. The Prince’s Ambassadors are chosen for their leadership in transforming their own businesses and empowering other organisations to take action. In their two year role, they promote the responsible business agenda in their country or region, engaging the local business community around key social issues. He has also personally championed the development of a number of projects over the years including small business development activity, employability engagements with the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) and business education links through the School Employer Connections (SEC) programme.

Awards for services to Industry and the Economy make up 12 per cent of this year’s honours list. The Economy Committee has recommended a knighthood for Mark Boleat​, lately Chairman, Policy and Resources Committee, City of London Corporation, for services to the Financial Services Industry and to Local Government in London.

A number of strong entrepreneurs and those supporting entrepreneurship are also recognised, including:

  • a CBE for Robert Keiller​, Chairman, Scottish Enterprise
  • an OBE for Ashley Tabor​, Founder and Executive President, Global
  • an MBE for Emily Brooke​, Founder and CEO, Blaze

And within the technology sector the awards include:

  • a CBE for Melvyn Morris​, Non-Executive Chairman, King Digital Entertainment plc
  • an OBE for Arvind Kapur​, Chairman, National Space Centre and Founder and Director, Signum Corporate Communications Ltd
  • an MBE for Dr Mark Mason​, lately CEO, Mubaloo, for services to the Digital Economy

Science and Technology make up 3 per cent of the total. There is:

  • a knighthood for Professor Hugh Godfray​, Hope Professor of Zoology, University of Oxford
  • an MBE for Professor Rebecca Lunn​, Professor, University of Strathclyde, a leader in the field of UK engineering and science