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New Years Honour medals given to two British expats in Spain
| Published: | 2 Jan at 6 PM |
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This year’s Queen Elizabeth New Year Honours list contained two British expats in Spain who’ve contributed extraordinary service during their working lives.
Former editor of a leading English language newspaper Liz Parry was awarded the British Empire medal for her services to the UK expat community in Andalusia, and former president of the British Chamber of Commerce in Spain Roger Cooke is the proud recipient of an MBE, (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire), for his services to trade investment and British businesses in Spain.
Parry joined the SUR’s British team in 1985 as a translator and worked her way right up to editor via assistant editor over her 30 year stint. In its early years, the publication was the only source of news for British expats, with Parry’s efforts increasing its circulation from around 3,000 to 150,000. Nowadays the paper is essential in helping new arrivals integrate into Spanish society without problems.
Roger Cooke, active in the British Chamber of Commerce since 1992, became its president in 2012 at a time when the financial crisis was causing huge problems for expat and Spanish businesses alike. He revitalised the institution, using his personal time to help create solid relationships between external partners such as British companies in Spain and the Spanish government itself. Cooke is still involved in developing cultural links between the UK and Spain, and is active within the British Hispanic Foundation as well as the charitable British Benevolent Fund which helps UK expats in need.
British Ambassador to Spain Simon Manly congratulated both the awardees, saying he was delighted with the recognition of their achievements. Both recipients were surprised at the awards, with Parry saying she was delighted but had no idea who had put her name forward for consideration. Cooke’s reaction was similar, and he expressed his thanks to the British Chamber of Commerce team who’d given great support to all his efforts.
Former editor of a leading English language newspaper Liz Parry was awarded the British Empire medal for her services to the UK expat community in Andalusia, and former president of the British Chamber of Commerce in Spain Roger Cooke is the proud recipient of an MBE, (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire), for his services to trade investment and British businesses in Spain.
Parry joined the SUR’s British team in 1985 as a translator and worked her way right up to editor via assistant editor over her 30 year stint. In its early years, the publication was the only source of news for British expats, with Parry’s efforts increasing its circulation from around 3,000 to 150,000. Nowadays the paper is essential in helping new arrivals integrate into Spanish society without problems.
Roger Cooke, active in the British Chamber of Commerce since 1992, became its president in 2012 at a time when the financial crisis was causing huge problems for expat and Spanish businesses alike. He revitalised the institution, using his personal time to help create solid relationships between external partners such as British companies in Spain and the Spanish government itself. Cooke is still involved in developing cultural links between the UK and Spain, and is active within the British Hispanic Foundation as well as the charitable British Benevolent Fund which helps UK expats in need.
British Ambassador to Spain Simon Manly congratulated both the awardees, saying he was delighted with the recognition of their achievements. Both recipients were surprised at the awards, with Parry saying she was delighted but had no idea who had put her name forward for consideration. Cooke’s reaction was similar, and he expressed his thanks to the British Chamber of Commerce team who’d given great support to all his efforts.
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