Housing recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours

Housing designers and housing association bosses are among those to have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Peter Barber, the founder of Peter Barber Architects, Jamie Johnston, from modern methods of construction specialist Bryden Wood and Claire Higgins, chief executive of housing association Cross Key Homes have all been honoured.

Barber was handed an OBE for services to architecture, while Johnston was handed his MBE for services to construction, and Higgins (pictured, right) was awarded an MBE for services to housing. Johnston said: “I've always been incredibly passionate about the design and construction sector; working hard to promote and achieve progress, so this means a huge amount to me.

“It reminds me that, although we have a long way to go, it's important to recognise the enormous progress we've made.”

Elma Newbury, assistant director land & strategic regeneration services at the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, also received an MBE, with her recognition coming for services to housing in Northern Ireland and her contribution to reconciliation.

Architect Steve Tompkins of Haworth Tompkins was also made an MBE for services to both architecture and the arts, while author, academic and architect Sumita Singha, director of London-based practice Ecologic Architects, was handed an OBE for services to architecture.