The New Year Honours 2023 recipients have credited their success to the work and efforts of their team members around them.

Two people from Watford and two from Rickmansworth have been recognised in the list - the first to be bestowed by King Charles III.

Hitan Metha, 46, from Rickmansworth, was honoured with the Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

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The executive director of the British Asian Trust was recognised for services to the British Asian Community.

Mr Metha told Watford Observer: “I feel extremely honoured and humbled.

“But it’s a team effort from the people around me too.  

“They are all so supportive and helped to create a platform to support the charitable work of South Asia.”

Watford Observer: Hitan Mehta Hitan Mehta (Image: British Asian Trust)

Set up 15 years ago, the trust has helped more than seven million disadvantaged people across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.  

Over the years, it has worked on helping children, especially girls, with their education.  

It also supports conservation work, runs mental health programmes and child protection programmes.

The father of two recalled his standout memory when the trust hosted a cricket match between India and Pakistan in Glasgow, Scotland.

He said: “The then Prince of Wales convinced them to play cricket together as they don’t usually play against each other.

“It actually rained the entire day, but luckily I had weather insurance and that’s where the trust got its first million.”

Watford Observer: Professor Lyn ChittyProfessor Lyn Chitty (Image: Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children)

Professor Lyn Chitty, also from Rickmansworth, has been made Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

She works as a professor of genetics and fetal medicine at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust and University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health.    

And she was recognised for services to medicine.

She said: “It is really amazing, and I still can’t quite believe it.

“I don’t believe one gets this level of recognition alone and for me it is very much a reflection of the great people and teams I have worked with over the years.

“My thanks goes to them for all the hard work and support they have given.

“This honour really is a reflection of great teamwork.”

Dr Mary Elizabeth Booth Ramsay, from Watford, has been awarded with a Commander of the Order of the British Empire Medal.

She works as the director of public health programmes at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and has been recognised for services to public health.

Dame Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive, UKHSA said: “I would like to thank Mary for her unwavering passion and dedication to health protection and immunisation before and during the pandemic, for which this honour is thoroughly deserved.”

And Felicity Emma Evans, also from Watford, was awarded the Order of the British Empire Medal.

She was recognised for services to children in Hertfordshire.

Former Watford FC player Pat Jennings was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his services to Association Football and to charity.