SERVICES to Coventry and Warwickshire and beyond by dedicated individuals have been honoured in the King’s Birthday Honours List.
DAVID KEENE , one of the UK’s driving forces in autonomous vehicles, has been awarded an MBE for his services to the decarbonisation of airports
The founder of Coventry-based Aurrigo International has over 40 years of experience working in the automotive sector and developing driverless technology and intelligent mobility in aviation.
The entrepreneur from Kenilworth was recognised for pioneering one of the most significant innovations the aviation world has seen in four decades with the launch of Auto-DollyTug – an autonomous vehicle that is moving luggage and cargo around six airports across the world.
Designed, developed and built at the firm’s Advanced Engineering Centre in Coventry, the electric powered tugs are promising to cut emissions, increase operational performance and, most importantly, improve passenger experience.
The MBE comes just a few weeks after Aurrigo International secured its largest agreement to date, entering into a strategic partnership with Swissport to launch at Zurich Airport and then explore future implementation at other locations across the world.
“When you’ve been in business for four decades, nothing tends to surprise you…until this!” commented David.
“Aurrigo has come a long way since I started the business in my spare room in 1993. Whilst automotive components – mainly wiring looms and electronics – are still a major part of the business, it is our ‘first to market’ work in autonomous aviation vehicles that is catching the media headlines.”
“It is such a massive honour to be recognised by HRH King Charles, but the MBE is really for all the team that have played such a key role in our growth and success to date. They’ve believed in the dream, and it is their skills, expertise and technical knowledge that has transported us to the front of the autonomous conversation.”
David, who coined the intelligent Ground Support Equipment (iGSE) phrase that is sweeping aviation, is a passionate ambassador for UK manufacturing and in encouraging more young people into engineering.
Academia is important to him, and he has forged strong relationships with Aston, Warwick, and Coventry universities, giving students/researchers the opportunity to explore new R&D and embed lessons from working with his company’s advanced vehicles and technology into their learning.
His selfless passion for mobility has also seen him commit 100 hours plus of voluntary service to the UK Automotive Council, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, local Universities and Galgotias University in India, where he lectures international students on automated vehicles and technology.
These roles, which he has done for more than a decade, provide the small company viewpoint on the development of technologies, business support, funding, and industry regulation.
David concluded: “We are building something really exciting in the UK that positions us as a real driving force in the world of autonomous vehicles for aviation.”
Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust is celebrating three of its current and former staff members being recognised for their exceptional service to healthcare and the community.
Chief nursing officer MARY MUMVURI receives an MBE for services to mental health, consultant psychiatrist PROFESSOR MUHAMMED JAVED an OBE, also for services to mental health, and former trust chair PROFESSOR JAGTAR SINGH a CBE for services to the NHS.
Mel Coombes, chief executive of CWPT, said, “We are absolutely thrilled to see Jagtar, Mary, and Professor Javed recognised at a national level.
“Their contributions have had a lasting impact not only within our Trust but across the NHS and the communities we serve. These honours reflect their years of compassionate leadership, innovation, and commitment to patient care. On behalf of everyone at CWPT, I extend our warmest congratulations.”
Mary is known for her dedication to professional excellence in nursing, Mary has led transformational changes in patient safety, workforce development, and compassionate care. Her work has strengthened the voice of nurses across mental health, learning disability, and community services.
Javed supports individuals with complex mental health needs and is widely respected for his clinical expertise and patient-centred care.
Jagtar has provided demonstrated leadership and commitment to advancing equality, diversity, and inclusion during. Jagtar leaves a lasting legacy of inclusive leadership and having helped shape a culture of accountability and fairness across the trust and wider health system during his ten-year tenure as CWPTs chair.
A training provider has been awarded an MBE for services to the community in Coventry.
FLEUR SEXTON, the deputy lord lieutenant of the West Midlands, set up PET-Xi Training to empower people to reach their full potential. It has been working with people in Coventry since 1995 to help young people succeed in exams and provide successful futures.
Working with hundreds of schools around the country, it has gone on to help over 200,000 people aged 14-64 gain qualifications, including 132,000 high risk students returning to mainstream life and 10,000 vulnerable people finding employment.
She has also raised money for various charities, set up a day centre for homeless groups to use, and created over 900 work experience opportunities for high-risk students.
As chair of Coventry Music Trust, she has created opportunities for 75 children annually from deprived areas to learn and perform music.
Others honoured included:
TRACY WESTALL, Non-Executive Director for the Department for Transport, received an OBE for services to the digital sector and to diversity.
JULIAN HETHERINGTON, Automotive Transformation Director at the Advanced Propulsion Centre at the University of Warwick, received an MBE for services to business investment and growth
ANNE FENTON, Home Manager at Birmingham Children’s Trust received an MBE for services to children with disabilities and their families.
DAVID MEREDITH, Chair of the Albany Theatre Trust, has been received a British Empire Medal for his outstanding contributions to theatre and the community in Coventry.
ALISON ROSS, of the Bradby Club in Rugby, was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to Young People and the community in the town.
JONATHAN PULLEN received a British Empire Medal for services to military charities.
ARUNA MISTRY was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to higher education.
