Four islanders in Honours list

Wednesday 01 June 2022

The Lieutenant-Governor has announced that four islanders are included in the Platinum Jubilee Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Peter Harwood, Jack Honeybill, Marlene Place and Tina Pipet are recognised for their work across a broad spectrum of island life.

Advocate Harwood, who has been awarded an OBE for services to the island, said he was "flabbergasted" to receive the call from the Lieutenant-Governor advising him of the award.

"I am incredibly humbled that people took the time and effort to put my name forward for this incredible honour," he said.

Pictured: Advocate Peter Harwood has been awarded an OBE for his services to the community.

Advocate Harwood's achievements include his work as a trusted advisor to the community, government and third sector.

He helped safeguard the island's international reputation as Chairman of the Guernsey Financial Services Commission, was a founder trustee of Help A Guernsey Child and since 2017 he has chaired Guernsey Victim Support and Witness Service. 

He was a deputy between 2012 and 2016 and the island's Chief Minister for the first two years of that term. He currently serves as a non-voting member of the Committee for Home Affairs.

"Every single project I have been involved in over the years has been as part of a very able team of people," said Advocate Harwood. "I am very conscious of all the people I have been supported by and I have been privileged to be a part of those teams.

“As a local, I have always felt strongly that it is important to give something back. Somebody’s got to do it. For as long as I remain useful, I will continue to do what I can to be of service."

Pictured: Jack Honeybill, Head of Fundraising for the Little Chapel Foundation, has been awarded an MBE. 

Mr Honeybill has been awarded the MBE for services to the community.

Mr Honeybill was Chairman of the fundraising body for Les Bourgs Hospice for more than 20 years. He saw the completion of the new Hospice before stepping down from the role.

He is Executive Officer of the Town Centre Partnership and Head of Fundraising for the Little Chapel Foundation. He founded Menfun (now Active), a local charity for people with learning difficulties.

He served the island as a deputy between 2004 and 2012, which included a term as Deputy Minister of the then Treasury and Resources Department.

Mr Honeybill is also a former leader of the Guernsey Concert Brass and remains a member.

Pictured: Marlene Place with her husband, Bob.

Mrs Place has been awarded the BEM for services to military veterans in the island.

Her work includes leading the Welfare Team of Bailiwick Armed Forces veterans, which is highly regarded by the Royal British Legion. She has developed the veterans’ network to seek out individuals in need, identifying mental health as a priority.

She also created the 'Banter Breakfast' initiative, a popular monthly social gathering for local service veterans and their families.

"In 2018, a young serviceman from Guernsey sadly committed suicide. That drove me to look into what support was available for veterans coming to or coming back to the island," said Mrs Place.

"One of the big things that the veterans missed was the camaraderie, so we established the 'Banter Breakfast' to help support them in that. We have around 60 attendees each month, which proves the need for the service."

Mrs Place said she was surprised to receive the honour.

"It was a huge surprise and I feel so honoured and proud to have been included in the list, especially in the Queen’s Jubilee year," she said.

"Hopefully, this will raise awareness within the island of the support available through the Royal British Legion Guernsey."

Pictured: Tina Pipet credits her achievement to the "well-oiled machine" at Government House.

Mrs Pipet has been awarded the MVO, which is the personal gift of Her Majesty, in recognition of her services at Government House.

Mrs Pipet served as Personal Assistant to four Lieutenant-Governors from 2006 to 2022. She was involved in preparations for the Bailiwick’s Diamond Jubilee programme and supported visits from TRH The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall as well as the recent visit from TRH The Earl and Countess of Wessex.

"I have had the joy of being involved in giving other people good news of recognitions of their work so to be on the receiving end myself was a bit odd, but such a privilege," said Mrs Pipet.

“To be included in such a remarkable year for the Queen, as she celebrates her Platinum Jubilee, which was so unprecedented for a monarch, is stunning and I feel so honoured.

"I would like to stress that I have worked as part of an exceptional team of just three staff. We all mucked in and worked together as a well-oiled machine. This award is really a recognition of the hard work of everyone else involved, not only me."

Pictured: His Excellency The Lieutenant-Governor, Richard Cripwell. 

The Lieutenant-Governor said: "I’m delighted that three outstanding islanders have been recognised with State awards in this particularly significant year. Advocate Harwood, Mr Honeybill and Mrs Place have each worked tirelessly to improve and enrich life here in Guernsey and for that we owe them a debt of thanks.

"I’m also very pleased to see that Mrs Pipet has been made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order. She has recently retired after serving the Crown as the Personal Assistant to four Lieutenant-Governors over a period of almost 16 years, which has been recognised through this personal award from the Sovereign."

Any individual or group may nominate someone for a national Honour by contacting the Bailiff's Chambers and requesting an Honours Nomination Form. The form, together with guidance notes, is also available HERE.