King’s Birthday Honours: IT worker and ex chief constable on the list

The list includes people who served in end-of-life care, those in policing and others for their volunteering in service of others.

Virendra Mahendrakumar Patel, from Southampton, has been awarded a BEM (British Empire Medal) by the King for his service to the community in Southampton.

READ MORE: Hampshire residents honoured in King Charles's Birthday Honours

In 2013, driven by a desire to ease the pressure on homeless people in the area, the technical support worker at John Lewis brought together a group of volunteers to ensure rough sleepers do not go hungry.

The 56-year-old dad of two has dedicated a large amount of his spare time to feeding the homeless and those in need across the city.

He coordinates the team to prepare food, under the banner name Kitchen Grace, often cooked in his kitchen and usually subsides it himself.

Virendra handing out food during the pandemic (Image: Virendra Mahendrakumar Patel)

Speaking to the Daily Echo of the news of his recognition, he said: “When I got the call, I had tears in my eyes. I was just shocked that something like this has happened.

“I was very excited and shocked at the time, I was taken aback. I don’t normally cry at things but there and then I did have tears in my eyes.

“It all started when I was going past a homeless in the street and he came up to me and asked if he could have some breakfast. It was the first time that I was in Southampton and I asked a homeless if he wanted a coffee and an egg roll.

“That weekend I was talking to my sister and she said I should start making some food for the homeless."

Virendra handing out food during the pandemic (Image: Virendra Mahendrakumar Patel)

During the pandemic he delivered over 4,000 meals in the first two months of the crisis, and nearly 600 meals per week at its peak.

Mountbatten CEO, Nigel Hartley has been awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire).

He joined Mountbatten Isle of Wight as CEO eight years ago and in 2019 also took charge of Mountbatten Hampshire in Southampton following a new partnership between the organisations.

Mountbatten CEO Nigel Hartley (Image: Mountbatten)

He said: “I am delighted and humbled to receive this award and it is a testament to everything my Mountbatten colleagues and myself continue to achieve together, developing and delivering relevant and sustainable 24/7 services for the communities we are here to serve.”

Karen Farr, Children and Young People and Volunteer Manager at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) was also awarded an MBE.

Karen works as the Children and Young People team at HIWFRS and has been recognised for services to young people and public safety. 

Karen Farr, Children and Young People and Volunteer Manager (Image: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service)

She said: “I feel incredibly honoured to have received this award. To be able, together with the Children and Young People team, to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people is a huge privilege."

Former chief constable Olivia Pinkney has also been awarded a CBE (Commander of the British Empire).

Olivia, who announced in September 2022 that she was leaving policing after 31 years, became Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s first female chief constable when she took up the position in April 2016.

Former chief constable Olivia Pinkney also been awarded a CBE (Image: Hampshire Constabulary)

She said: “I am extremely honoured to receive this award for services to policing.

“I am delighted to accept it, and I do so on behalf of the fine profession that I was proud to serve for 31 years.

"Proud of the service delivered by the most brilliant, compassionate, humble, and capable people who genuinely make a difference every day.”