‘Astonished’ Dr Watson-Druée leads BCU stars in King’s Birthday Honours
Dr Neslyn Watson-Druée says she is “absolutely astonished and delighted” at being made a Dame in the King’s Birthday Honours.
Awarded an honorary doctorate by Birmingham City University (BCU) in 2005, Dr Watson-Druée, who is part of the Windrush generation, has been recognised for services to women and to ethnic minorities.
“Never in my wildest dream could I have conceived that a rural girl from Jamaica, who came to the United Kingdom to be trained as a nurse, midwife, health visitor and health promotion officer, could excel to such heights,” she said.
“I was delighted to receive the MBE for nursing leadership and the CBE for health service innovation. Now to be a Dame is surreal. I am absolutely astonished and delighted.”
Chair of the Birmingham and Midlands Women Economic Forum, Dr Watson-Druée is also an award-winning author, business psychologist and accredited executive coach.
Fittingly, her latest accolade comes just prior to Windrush Day on Thursday 22 June, marking 75 years since the arrival of the Empire Windrush in the UK.
Joining Dr Watson-Druée on King Charles III’s Birthday Honours list is Aftab Rahman, a co-opted member of BCU’s audit committee.
Recognised for services to heritage and the community, he is both the founding chair of the Bangladeshi Youth Forum and a founding member of Legacy West Midlands, a charity that has its roots in celebrating the heritage of post-war migrant communities in Birmingham.
Professor Ann Bentley, who, like Dr Watson-Druée, holds an honorary doctorate from BCU, receives a CBE for services to construction.
Professor Bentley is one of the founders of BCU’s David Bucknall Scholarship, a financial award made to Birmingham-based property and construction students from under-privileged backgrounds.
Nick Elton, a visiting professor withing the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment at BCU, has also been recognised.
The former chief inspector has received the King’s Police Medal after 29 years of distinguished service across forces in Cleveland, Surrey, Wiltshire and Hampshire, as well as the College of Policing.
“This is a momentous occasion in my life, as it signifies the acknowledgment of my efforts and contributions, not only to policing locally within Hampshire and Thames Valley but also nationally,” said Elton, who has been a visiting professor at BCU since 2019.
“This is really a collective award. It is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of those who I have worked and served with in the pursuit of common organisational goals.”
More than 1,100 people were recognised in King Charles III’s inaugural birthday honours list for achievements in public life and commitment to serving and helping the United Kingdom.