WEST Cumbrians are celebrating after receiving recognition from the King for their work in the community and their professions.

Captain Michael Pemberton, chief executive officer at BEC, is among those to have been included in the King’s New Year’s Honours list.

He has been awarded Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for services to regeneration and to the community in Cumbria.

Times and Star: Michael Pemberton with wife Sarah PembertonMichael Pemberton with wife Sarah Pemberton (Image: Submitted)

Capt Pemberton joined BEC in 2015 and has steered the company through major change during this time, successfully leading the company through the withdrawal of public funding and the coronavirus pandemic. 

He has overseen the acquisition of key sites in Whitehaven and the redevelopment of the former Bus Station in Whitehaven – a nationally recognised, multi-award-winning scheme. 

Capt Pemberton served as a Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) Officer and was deployed on operations to Iraq and Afghanistan.

He continues to serve as a British Army Reserve Officer for CIMIC (British Army Civil Military Engagement) supporting conflict resolution and rebuilding after conflict.

Capt Pemberton has also shown his commitment to the local community and beyond through various voluntary roles in recent years including chairman of Age UK West Cumbria and non-executive director for Derwent Forest Development Consortium.

ALL 2024 HONOURS

He said: “I just feel incredibly humbled and very blessed. It came completely out of the blue. One of the most touching elements was the late Pat Graham had written something as well.

“I love what I do. I’m driven by a desire to create a better place for people. The only reason why I have got this is because of the people who I work with every day. I couldn’t do anything without them.”

Nigel Catterson, chairman of BEC, said Capt Pemberton had built ‘an enviable reputation’ for BEC.

He added: “Michael has always shown outstanding commitment and dedication in following the dream to make BEC a genuinely inclusive organisation committed to improving life and aspirations within the community.

“This honour is truly deserved and hopefully will be reflected in the growing profile and opportunities developing within the communities of west Cumbria.”

Michelle Pearse, of Little Clifton, has also been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to education and the community in west Cumbria.

Times and Star: Michelle Pearse has been recognised for her work with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and the Changing Lives Learning Trust Michelle Pearse has been recognised for her work with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and the Changing Lives Learning Trust (Image: Submitted)

Mrs Pearse has been recognised for her work with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) over the last 18 years, where she currently leads a team of 40 business support staff.

She provided crucial pastoral care to staff and was instrumental in keeping the team up to speed during the coronavirus pandemic.

Mrs Pearse has also been honoured for 11 years’ service with the Changing Lives Learning Trust, where she held the role of chair for four years, guiding the Trust Board through some challenging times and helping grow the Trust.

She said: “I feel honoured. It’s absolutely amazing. Nothing like this has ever happened to anybody in our family so it’s huge for everybody. I’m beyond excited and overwhelmed with it. It was a total surprise.”

Jane Morris-Eyton has also been awarded a BEM for services to the community in Bootle. She currently serves on the leadership team at Bootle Chapel.