Singers and sporting heroes aren’t the only ones to earn the royal seal of approval: this year’s New Year Honours List recognises the work of prominent energy and water industry figures too.

While more Brits are likely to know of classical singer Katherine Jenkins (pictured, right) or the DJ Pete Tong, who both bagged OBEs, National Grid’s Executive Director Nick Winser (pictured, left) made it onto the list for his services to the UK energy industry.

Mr Winser said he was “delighted” to receive a CBE, adding: “This not just an honour for me but a wider acknowledgement of the high standards and professionalism everyone at National Grid has shown over many years.”

His National Grid colleague, Operation Director Chris Train who chairs the Energy Emergencies Executive Committee also won an OBE.

Alongside them in the Honours List was ‘Grand Designs’ television presenter Kevin McCloud, for services to sustainable design and energy saving property refurbishment.

Proponents of green energy also got a queenly nod: among them were Lesley Ann Potts, Senior Manager at PWC for her work on energy efficiency and the Green Deal and John Doggart, founder of the Sustainable Energy Academy which set up ‘Superhomes’ to show how old homes could be made energy efficient.

The water sector was represented on the list by the Chief Executive Officer of NI Water, James Haslett and the Managing Director of Welsh Water Nigel Annett. Mr Annett’s voluntary service to Wateraid was noted.

In total 1,195 people have been recommended to the Queen for an award this year.

For the first time ever, this year there were more women (51%) than men on the list of candidates for honours.

Other energy names soon to be followed by a CBE include Richard Warner, Founder of the Reepham Green Team in Norfolk; Phyllis Boardman who founded Green Deal Consortia and Richard Barr, Joint Managing Director of gas turbine manufacturer Centrax.