Business leaders reap benefits of investing in people

More Birthday Honours

For six-and-a-half years he has been accountable for the regional development agency's performance, reporting directly to senior government ministers.

He is also chairman of Magna Holdings, a property development and investment company where he is particularly involved in developing brownfield sites, redundant and historic buildings and work in conservation areas.

Mr Hodgkinson is due to step down in the autumn, having had his appointment extended by 12 months to help guide the region through the economic crisis.

Mr Hodgkinson said of the honour: "I was absolutely, unbelievably delighted. To be recognised in that way for business and regeneration, both of which I've been involved with for a lifetime, is absolutely outstanding.

"I couldn't believe my eyes when I opened the letter from the Cabinet Office, I thought it might be a tax return."

Meanwhile, Mark Andrews, former chief executive of engineering firm NG Bailey, receives an OBE for his services to apprenticeships and training in the construction industry. The Ikley-based company employs around 3,300 people across the UK and its engineering academy has been the springboard for the careers of some 5,000 apprentices since it was launched 40 years ago.

Mr Andrews left the company after six years following a surprise announcement from NG Bailey last October. Under his leadership, turnover grew from 400m to 600m.

He said: "I'm delighted with the honour. It is nice to know that when you get involved in these things, somebody somewhere recognises it and rewards it but I certainly wasn't expecting this."

Keith Tondeur, president of Credit Action, receives an OBE for services to financial education. Mr Tondeur, who lives in Bedale, North Yorkshire, spent 22 years in top-level stock-broking before founding Credit Action in 1990.

He became director in 1994 when he made it an independent charity.

He is now honorary president and also the author of many books on all aspects of personal money management.

"Overdebtedness has caused so much pain to so many people and we are trying to prevent those problems

"We have helped well over a million people either directly or through the books and website."