LONDON, (Reuters) – Actor David Suchet, famous for his television role as detective Hercule Poirot, singer Annie Lennox and U.S. Open golf champion Graeme McDowell were among those honoured by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth today.
Top business figures granted awards included Roger Carr, the former chairman of British chocolate maker Cadbury Plc whose takeover by U.S. food group Kraft <KFT.N> this year provoked strong feelings in Britain.
Suchet, best known for playing Agatha Christie’s fictional Belgian detective in the long-running British TV series “Poirot”, was made a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the first new year’s honours list submitted to the queen by Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron.
Actress Sheila Hancock, who has appeared in films such as “Take a girl like you” and “The boy in the striped pyjamas” as well as starring regularly on British stage and television, becomes a CBE while television, film and stage actress Harriet Walter was made a dame.
Northern Ireland’s McDowell, who won his first major title at the U.S. Open in June and secured the winning point for Europe at the Ryder Cup in Wales in October, was made an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire).
Lennox, the former Eurythmics star who set up a campaign to raise awarenes of the AIDS crisis in South Africa, was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire).
Carr, who stepped down as chairman of Cadbury after it was taken over by Kraft this year, was knighted.
The takeover of one of Britain’s most cherished brands by a foreign company sparked emotional reactions. British unions and other critics said the $18 billion deal was driven by investors seeking a quick return.
Carr, who also chairs power company Centrica Plc <CNA.L>, complained that Cadbury shareholders who sold to Kraft were not “long-term stewards of the business”.
British Airways <BAY.L> Chairman Martin Broughton and Richard Lambert, the outgoing director-general of business lobby the Confederation of British Industry, were both knighted.
Historian and author Antonia Fraser was made a dame while fashion designer Katharine Hamnett and record producer Trevor Horn were given CBEs.
Others honoured included artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen, who received a CBE, former England World Cup-winning rugby player Mike Catt, awarded an OBE, and the 2010 World Cup soccer final referee Howard Webb, given an MBE.
Anyone can nominate someone for an award and the vast majority of honours go to people who are making a contribution to their community.
Recommendations go before eight honours committees and a final list is submitted by the prime minister to the queen.