Rich pickings for social entrepreneurs in Queen's New Year Honours

Social enterprise ambassador and CEO of Big Issue Invest Nigel Kershaw is one of at least eight people involved in social enterprise awarded in the New Year Honours List 2010.

Kershaw, who is also chair of The Big Issue, was given the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to social enterprise.

He said: 'I feel honoured and proud. I think this award shows that the core philosophy of The Big Issue and Big Issue Invest of finding a business solution to social problems is gaining recognition as a new way of doing business.'

Also honoured for her services to social enterprise was Margaret Lee, CEO of the Cresco Trust in Northern Ireland that promotes 'social economy enterprise activity' in Northern Ireland and peace and reconciliation. She was made a Member of the British Empire (MBE).

John Kingston, founder and director of social lender Venturesome, the Charities Aid Foundation's social investment arm, received an OBE for his services to the voluntary sector.

Dr John Alexander Watt, director of strengthening communities at Highlands and Islands Enterprise, an organisation that helps promote community enterprise, was made an OBE for services to community development.

Also honoured was the Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP) chair Peter Roberts who was made an MBE for his services to rural transport.

Neil Buxton, general manager of ACoRP, said: 'The entire ACoRP team is delighted that Peter should be recognised in this way. He was responsible for creating and introducing the Rural Transport Development Fund without which many of the well-established community transport and community rail schemes - including ACoRP - would not exist.

The treasurer of Southwark Credit Union, Bishop Louis McLeod, was made an OBE for his services to that credit union - which is also a co-operative. And Andy Pope, national business crime partnership manager at The Co-operative, was made an OBE for public service.

Pope said: 'I'm very proud to be made an OBE. The honour reflects not just my work but that of many people at The Co-operative, and beyond, who are working so hard to tackle the issues of business crime - from shoplifting and robberies to credit card fraud - in all its forms.'

Mansel Aylward - who, among other responsibilities, is a trustee of The Shaw Trust - was made a knight for his services to healthcare. The Shaw Trust helps people will ill-health and disabilities find work.

In total 979 people have been recommended to The Queen for an award in the New Year Honours List.