Denise Coates is among those named in New Year Honours
The founder of online gambling company Bet365 has been appointed CBE for services to the community and business.
Denise Coates, daughter Stoke City chairman Peter Coates, founded Stoke-on-Trent-based Bet365, which now employs more than 1,700 people. Others from Staffordshire and south Cheshire to receive honours include foster carers and a former police chief superintendent. Stafford Prison officer Stephen Edwards is appointed MBE. 'Quite humbling' Hifsa Haroon Iqbal is awarded an MBE for services to community cohesion in Staffordshire. She works as a diversity officer at Staffordshire University, and said of her honour: "It's not something that you receive everyday. "It's quite humbling as well because I'm just not convinced that it's totally deserved. I know there's an awful lot of people up and down the country who do some amazing work who are probably a lot more deserving that I am." Other recipients to be honoured include: OBE Professor Ruth Margaret Chambers, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, general practitioner in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent. For services to Primary Care. Dr Stephen Robert Kennett, from Lichfield, formerly regional director at the Government Office for the West Midlands, Department for Communities and Local Government. Steven Gregory Tuft, from Barton under Needwood, formerly head teacher at The Pines School, Birmingham. For services to education. Clive Christian, Nantwich-based designer, for services to the luxury goods industry. MBE Nicholas Roger Balmforth, for services to Children's Play Provision. Stephen Edwards, from Rugeley, a prison officer at HM Prison Stafford, Ministry of Justice. David George Emery, from Stoke-on-Trent, for voluntary service to the Royal Naval Association in Uttoxeter. Michael Leonard Arthur Harrison, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, formerly Chief Superintendent for Staffordshire Police, for services to the police. Marion Olwin Hemmerdinger from Swadlincote, Derbyshire, co-ordinator, Burton MIND, for voluntary service to Mental Healthcare in Staffordshire. Pamela Elizabeth Lycett, from Rugeley, for services to hockey in Staffordshire. John Francis May, from Lichfield, for services to the community. Ian McGibbon, from Burton-upon-Trent, formerly serious youth violence adviser at Home Office. For services to tackling gang-related violence. Monica Anne Moreton, for services to adults with learning difficulties through the Oak Tree Farm Rural Project in Staffordshire. Michael James O'Reilly, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, foster carer, for services to children and families. Phyllis O'Reilly, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, foster carer, for services to children and families. Ann Salih, for services to the community in Norton-le-Moors. Glynis Elizabeth Ward, for voluntary service to the community in Cannock Chase. Malcolm John Webb, for services to the community in Brewood.