Christopher BarrettMany senior figures behind the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games have been recognised in the New Year Honours List 2023, including organising committee CEO Ian Reid whose efforts were rewarded with a CBE.
Philip Batty, director of ceremonies, cultural programmes and the Queen’s Baton Relay, was presented with an OBE for services to sport. Batty, who is executive director of the Government’s UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK festival, will be discussing the UK-wide event series at the EPS conference on 2 March.
Other key Commonwealth Games figures to be recognised in the List were Denise Lewis OBE, the president of the Games, who was made a Dame, while chair of the organising committee John Crabtree OBE was knighted. Commonwealth Games England chair Ian Metcalfe was handed an OBE, and Chris Jones, project director of the Sandwell Aquatics Centre, received an MBE.
Reid said the award was a lovely surprise at the end of a very special year: “It is also pleasing to see colleagues and representatives from some of our key partners who helped delivered the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games be recognised with honours too.
“An event on this scale can only be successfully delivered by a huge team of people and although the work of some individuals has been highlighted through these honours, I would like to once again thank everyone involved in helping to stage Birmingham 2022.
“So many people made a huge contribution through their hard work and dedication, and we could not have done it without them.”