King Charles IIIs first Birthday Honours List 2023 saw 1,171 people across the UK have been recognised for their contributions to UK society.
Of those recognised, half are women, 11% come from a Minority Ethnic background, 13% are disabled or have a long-term health condition, and 23% consider themselves to come from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds.
Speaking about the Birthday Honours, Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said: “This year’s honours list is a testament to ordinary people who have demonstrated extraordinary community spirit, and I pay tribute to all those who have been recognised.
“Our honours system has long been a way of recognising people who make an incredible contribution to life in Britain and beyond.” Director General at the Department for Levelling Up Emran Mian received a Companions of the Order of the Bath for services to regeneration. Head of the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Lessons from Auschwitz Project and former History teacher Anita Parmar is being honoured with an MBE.
Speaking about the honour, Anita said: “I am delighted to be recognised by His Majesty the King in his Birthday Honours list. This really is a reflection of the dedication of the whole team at the Holocaust Educational Trust who work day in, and day out, to ensure that the horrors of the past are understood and remembered and that the legacy of the Holocaust continues.
“I am so proud to work for such an important cause, alongside Holocaust survivors who are an incredible inspiration to me and who play a key role in educating the next generation about the past. The Trust’s flagship educational programme, the ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ Project each year has a profound impact on thousands of young people across the country and I am so grateful to His Majesty the King for recognising the importance of this work with this honour.”
Karen Pollock CBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, added: “It is wonderful to see many friends and members of our community recognised in His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours list. We are absolutely thrilled that Holocaust survivor Jacques Weisser receives an honour.
“Whether through his tireless work with Jewish Ex-Servicemen and women or his amazing efforts to support Yom HaShoah, a day set aside to remember the Holocaust, ensuring it is commemorated across the Jewish community, Jacques has a unique determination that is always demonstrated with such warmth and grace. We are grateful for everything he does.
“We are also delighted to see Anita Parmar, Head of the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Lessons from Auschwitz Project honoured. Formerly a History teacher in a London school, Anita was determined to ensure that the Holocaust was taught at a high standard.”
“She joined the Holocaust Educational Trust team in 2004 and has played a pivotal role in our work for nearly two decades. Anita has helped to ensure that tens of thousands of young people have seen for themselves the site of the former Nazi concentration and death camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau through our Lessons from Auschwitz Project and has helped to ensure that survivors’ stories are told and retold.
“We are incredibly proud of our valued colleague and dear friend, and we wish Anita a hearty Mazel Tov!”
