Business leaders were among those receiving awards in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List, announced at the end of last week.
Vicky Davies, Chief Executive of Danske Bank UK, has been awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for services to the economy in Northern Ireland. Davies, originally from Wales, became the first woman to lead Northern Ireland’s largest bank in its 200-year history when she was appointed to the role in 2021. She also serves as chair of Business in the Community NI and is a board member of both the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce & Industry and UK Finance.
James McGinn, Managing Director of Hastings Hotels, has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List for services to tourism and hospitality. The award is in recognition of his 30 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, wealth of knowledge and expertise.
James has worked for Hastings Hotels for 29 years and before being appointed managing director in 2022, he held a number of senior positions across the group including operations director and general manager of the Europa Hotel where he was at the helm for two decades.
“It’s an honour to have received this recognition. Tourism and hospitality is in my blood, and I’m thankful for the career I have built at Hastings Hotels for the last 29 years and for the opportunities provided to me by the Hastings family. I would also like to thank my colleagues across the group, because without them, this recognition wouldn’t be possible.”
Also receiving an MBE is David Millar, a seasoned leader in the cement industry, for his services to business and to the community in Northern Ireland.
A former executive with Lafarge, Millar played a pivotal role in the 2022 £56 million acquisition of Holcim’s Cookstown cement plant by the LCC Group. Now managing director of the rebranded operation, Cemcor, Millar has been widely praised for his commitment to local enterprise and community development.