PROFESSOR Mike Johnston, chief executive of the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland, is among a number of business leaders from Northern Ireland recognised in the New Year's Honours list.
He has received an MBE in recognition of his services to the dairy industry in Northern Ireland.
He has been chief executive since 1989, and is well known for the Dairy Council's sponsorship of the Milk Cup, established more than 30 years ago and which grew to become one of the biggest and most renowned youth soccer tournaments in Europe.
Among his many professional achievements he is a former international chair of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, an honorary fellow of the CIM, as well as a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Marketers.
He is past president of the International Milk Promotion Group of the International Dairy Federation.
A graduate of the University of Ulster and a Visiting Professor in the Ulster Business School, he has also served as a skills ambassador with the sector skills body Lantra and has held external board positions with Food NI and CAFRE’s Food Business Incubation Centre.
Among others honoured with an MBE is travel commentator Mukesh Sharma, managing director of the north's largest independent travel firm Selective Travel Management, which earlier this year opened its new corporate headquarters at the regenerated Murray's Exchange, one of Belfast's most iconic buildings.
Also receiving an MBE for her services to industry is Carol Phillips, vice-president of human resources at Bombardier Shorts, which she joined 30 years ago.
She has held various human resources positions within the organisation, including HR manager, organisational development and training manager as well as director of human resources, organisational effectiveness and employee relations.
Ms Phillips has also participated in the West Belfast and Greater Shankill Task Force and served as a director on the Praxis Care Board and a member of the Belfast Citywide Employers’ Forum.
An MBE has also gone to Derry man Jim Roddy, who has been chief executive of the City Centre Initiative since February 2009 and prior to that spent 20 years in the Fire Service before going on to work for Derry City FC as commercial manager, chairman and chief executive for 14 years.
