Seven City of London Corporation figures have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for their contributions to education, children’s services, community and social cohesion.

The seven honoured are:

• Dhruv Patel – OBE
  • Dhruv Patel has been an elected member of the City of London Corporation for five years where he has served as Chairman of the Community and Children’s Services Committee, a Director of the City of London Academies Trust, and as Deputy Chairman of City Bridge Trust, London’s largest independent charitable funder. Dhruv is a married father of two and a businessman with interests in property, retail pharmacy, and the London insurance market.

• Professor Anne Bamford – OBE
  • Anne Bamford, the City of London Corporation’s Strategic Director of Education, Skills, and Culture, has been awarded an OBE for services to education. Before joining the City Corporation Anne was the Director of Education for the Archdiocese of Southwark, and has worked across the world as a scholar for UNESCO.

• Thomas Hoffman – MBE
  • Tom Hoffman is an elected member of the City of London Corporation and has been recognised for services to secondary and tertiary education, and commitment to supporting the arts in London.

• Vivienne Littlechild JP – MBE
  • Vivienne is an elected member of the City of London Corporation, and former Chairman of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee. A lawyer in the Square Mile for more than three decades Vivienne has been recognised for services to culture and heritage in the City of London.

• Janie Ewing – BEM
  • Janie Ewing has been recognised with a British Empire Medal for services to the community in Bermondsey and works at City of London Academy Galleywall Primary.

• Matthew Ring – BEM
  • Matthew Ring has been awarded a BEM for services to communities in the City of London in his capacity working for the City of London Corporation’s department of Community and Children’s Services.

• Ruth Duston – OBE
  • Ruth Duston has served as the Executive Director of the Cheapside Business Improvement District, which aims to transform the Cheapside area of the City into a world class shopping district.

Commenting on his OBE Dhruv Patel said:

“I’m am deeply humbled to be recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

“I have been heavily engaged in voluntary service, particularly for the Hindu community, since my university days. My election to the City of London Corporation gave me the chance to broaden out this work.

“My focus has been on ensuring London’s young people have the best start to life, and all communities have the opportunity to thrive.

“Whilst it is wonderful to receive this national honour, recognition cannot be the driver: sewa or selfless service is, and shall continue to be, a vital part of my life”

Commenting on her OBE Professor Anne Bamford said:

“I am delighted to receive this honour.

“High quality education has the power to change the lives of people from all backgrounds. We should strive to ensure all children are able to experience a well-rounded education that enables them to be creative, to be happy and to flourish.

“Developing a love of learning is one of the greatest gifts you can give a person.”

Commenting on her MBE Vivienne Littlechild said:

“I'm immensely pleased to be honoured in this way.

"I've been an elected member of the Corporation for a number of years now, and it's been an unbelievable experience chairing the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee, and working at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and other charitable schemes that the City supports.