Locals honoured on Queen’s birthday list

The Chief Executive of the Regional Health and Social Care Board and a local footballing legend are amongst those honoured locally in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Former Linfield defender Noel Bailie received a MBE in the Queen's Birthday's Honours List. Photo: William Cherry/PressEye.Former Linfield defender Noel Bailie received a MBE in the Queen's Birthday's Honours List. Photo: William Cherry/PressEye.
Former Linfield defender Noel Bailie received a MBE in the Queen's Birthday's Honours List. Photo: William Cherry/PressEye.

John Compton, from Lisburn, receives a CBE for services to healthcare in Northern Ireland. Speaking after the announcement had been made, Mr Compton said that he felt honoured and humbled by the award.

“Throughout my career I have done my best to try and ensure that people can receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place. I have had the privilege of working with many dedicated professionals throughout this time who have made an outstanding contribution to changing Health and Social Care for the better,” he said.

The Lisburn man took up his current post as Chief Executive of the Health and Social Care Board when it was formed in 2009. The Board arranges or ‘commissions’ health and social care services for the entire population of Northern Ireland and accounts for £3.9 billion of expenditure every year.

He qualified in social work in 1976 after graduating from Queen’s University and worked in a number of posts across Lisburn and Belfast. It was during this time that Mr Compton co-ordinated the social work response for Northern Ireland during the Kegworth air disaster in 1989.

He held a series of social care posts within the former Eastern Health and Social Service Board before his appointment to senior executive management roles with the former Down Lisburn Health and Social Services Trust. He has a long association with the Downpatrick area working in Down Lisburn from 1990 – 2006, and saw through many changes to healthcare in Downpatrick during that time.

Former Linfield defender, Noel Bailie, received a MBE for services for football. During his time with the Blues the Hillsborough man featured in over 1,000 games for the club. Now a scout for the club, he won 10 league championships and eight Irish Cups with Linfield before retiring in 2011.

“It was a huge surprise. I did not know there was anything like this in the pipeline,” said Bailie. “I suppose it is recognition for all those long, long hours spent at the one club, and I am really pleased.”

Sylvia Foster, another Hillsborough resident, received an MBE for services to nursing and healthcare in Northern Ireland, as did Lisburn man Colin Henderson for services to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and to the community in Northern Ireland.

The Plant Manager of NACCO Materials Handling Ltd, Alan Little, was given a MBE for services to industry in Northern Ireland, while Pamela Neill, Chief Executive of Voluntary Service Lisburn was also honoured with a MBE for services to the community and voluntary sector in Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile George Toombs received a British Empire Medal for services to young people in Antrim through the Boys Brigade and the Scout Association.

For more reaction see this week’s Ulster Star.