Chiswick Residents Get Royal Honours

An OBE for Katie White and MBE for Lewis Bronze

Two Chiswick residents have spoken of their delight at being awarded honours in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Katie White receives the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her work tackling climate change in the UK and overseas. She was formerly Head of International and UK Climate Change Engagement at the Department of Energy.

Katie, who is married to Sam, (pictured above) worked for four years in the Department of Energy in the run up to the Climate Change Bill. A graduate of Glasgow University, she was closely involved with the introduction of the new legislation which has inspired other countries to follow suit.

Katie also headed up the governments team on international outreach for the Copenhagen UN Climate Change conference in 2009 looking at ways of collaborating with other countries to broker a deal on climate change.

Katie (32) said she was very surprised to hear she had been chosen to be honoured.

“When you receive an official looking letter you wonder at first what it could be. I'm very chuffed and very proud."

She has lived in Chiswick for three years, though she is originally from Yorkshire and she daughter -in -law of well known guardian journalist Michael White.

Eight months ago Katie left the government and is now working with the One campaign on Africa as Europe Campaigns director.

“ I feel lucky to work on something I feel so passionate about." she says.

Another Chiswick resident recognised was Lewis Bronze (pictured above), CEO of Expresso Education. He received his award for services to education. Mr. Bronze has also received 2 BAFTA awards and prior to founding Espresso Education was Editor of BBC's Blue Peter (1988 - 1996).

Lewis Bronze has lived in Chiswick since 1984 and his three children were all educated at Belmont Primary school where he was a Chair of Governors. He started Espresso Education with another Chiswick resident, Tony Bowden, back in 1997.  The company delivers web-based digital services to primary and secondary schools – nearly all primary schools in L B Hounslow are subscribers, and nationally almost half of all primary schools now subscribe to Espresso. 

The company invented the delivery of video clips inside a browser for schools, aligned to curriculum objectives.  They have weekly news services for children included in the product – an idea that stemmed from his time producing John Craven’s Newsround.

Commenting on his MBE award he said: “I am delighted to receive this honour on behalf of the company, and I can’t wait for the day out at Buckingham Palace. It’s a proud moment for me, and for Espresso Education. I am very thankful for the support from my family and my many Espresso colleagues over the years whose efforts have built our business and played a huge part in this achievement.”

 Also awarded an OBE this year was Sister Brenda Wallace, who was until recently, headteacher at Gumley House School in Isleworth. High-profile broadcaster and television presenter Clare Balding was also honoured.

June 21, 2013