Four Guernsey residents on the New Year Honours List

Four islanders have been named in the New Year Honours List.

Helen Glencross has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to heritage in Guernsey.

The Head of Heritage Services for the States of Guernsey was appointed in 2019. In the role, she is responsible for four museums and over 80 historic sites, housing more than 80,000 artefacts and 3,000 artworks.

She was instrumental in Liberation 80 celebrations and events as Chair of the Liberation Day Oversight Committee, and coordinated a celebration that included a two-day visit by HRH The Princess Royal and Sir Tim Laurence.

She says her role - managing and coordinating museums, artefacts, historical sites, and exhibitions - is a privilege:

"As someone whose been born and raised in Guernsey, I feel incredibly privileged to do the job that I do, and to serve the island, promoting and sharing our unique culture and history.

"To be recognised for doing that is really humbling."

Recently-elected Guernsey politician Deputy Jayne Ozanne appears on the honours list upon the recommendation of the UK Prime Minister.

She is made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Religion and the LGBTQ+ Community.

Deputy Ozanne set up the UK Ban Conversion Therapy Coalition in September 2020 to bring together all those who are campaigning for a fully inclusive ban on Conversion Therapy.

Later that same year she founded the Global Interfaith Commission on LGBT+ Lives, with the support of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

She says its wonderful for the work to get recognition:

"This has been a contested area for many years. I've worked as a government advisor, but also campaigning against the government at times, to try and bring in a ban on conversion practices which the Prime Minister has committed to. 

"The good news that I became a deputy this summer means I have a new group of people to champion - I'm keen to speak up for those who feel they have no voice in Guernsey."

Gerry Le Roy has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for Services to Public Health in Guernsey.

She has worked to improve cardiovascular health awareness in Guernsey, along with the likelihood of surviving a sudden cardiac arrest within the Bailiwick.

Joining forces with the Chief Ambulance Officer in 2013, she launched Guernsey’s first Public Access Defibrillator programme, the installation of which has 23 instances of saving a life between 2022-24.

Finally, Alice De Freitas is awarded the Silver Royal Victorian Medal.

The medal is a personal gift from the sovereign and is a reward for personal service to the Sovereign or the royal family.

Mrs De Freitas receives the award after retiring from her position as Housekeeper at Government House at the end of June 2025, after almost 24 years’ service.