King’s Birthday Honours list: Former Lymington student and Hilton executive Simon Vincent appointed CBE; former Hampshire police chief constable Oliva Pinkney made CBE; ex-Hampshire chief inspector Nick Elton awarded King’s Policing Medal; Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service’s Karen Farr made MBE

A former Priestlands School and Brockenhurst College student has been appointed a CBE in the King’s Birthday Honours list.

Simon Vincent, who as executive vice-president of Hilton is responsible for more than 1,000 hotels in 69 countries, was given the honour in recognition of his services to tourism.

As a teenager Simon got his start in hospitality working at the old Limpets restaurant, washing dishes for three years before leaving Lymington to go to university. He also played cricket for Lymington 1st XI.

Mr Vincent was previously CEO of Opodo, the pan-European online travel agency, and COO of Thomas Cook Travel. He spent the early part of his career in International Banking with HSBC and has extensive international experience having also worked in North America and Japan.

He sits on Hilton’s global executive committee and is also a non-executive director at iconic London retailer Fortnum & Mason.

In January 2015 he received an OBE for his services to the hospitality and tourism industries, having been recognized in the New Year Honours List.

He said: “It has been an enormous privilege to lead Hilton’s business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa for the past 16 years.

“I am also proud to have represented the hospitality industry during my tenure as co-chair of the Tourism Industry Council alongside the Tourism Minister, and on the government’s Cultural Renewal Taskforce, which was set up to support the recovery of the sector post pandemic.

“I am honoured to be appointed CBE in recognition of these contributions which underscore the importance of hospitality and tourism to the UK economy.”

Two former Hampshire police officers and a county fire service children’s worker were also rewarded in the list, which was unveiled last Friday evening.

Former chief constable Olivia Pinkney has been made a CBE, ex-chief inspector Nick Elton awarded a King’s Policing Medal, and the fire service’s children and young people and volunteer manager Karen Farr made an MBE.

Ms Pinkney, who announced in September 2022 that she was leaving policing after 31 years, became Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s first female chief constable when she took up the position in April 2016.

Mr Elton gave 29 years of distinguished public service across police forces in Hampshire, Cleveland, Surrey, and Wiltshire, as well as the College of Policing.

Ms Farr joined Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service 15 years ago as a Prince’s Trust Team Leader and has played an integral role in developing the work of the Children & Young People team ever since.