PEOPLE from Powys are celebrating after being named as recipients of awards in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Among them are Sophie Andreae, who has been named CBE, and Justin Albert, who has been awarded an OBE.

Ms Andreae, from Knighton, has been given the honour for her years of service to heritage, while Mr Albert, a director at the National Trust Wales, has been honoured for services to the historic and natural environment in Wales.

Violet Mclellan from Montgomery and Dyddanwy Pugh from Brecon have both been honoured with the BEM.

Sophie Andeae

Ms Andreae, who has served as a previous chair of the Offa’s Dyke Association, has a long and rich history of working to preserve and promote British and Welsh heritage.

She has been a trustee of Historic Royal Palaces, having had a background in historic buildings, architecture and conservation. She has also been a council member of the National Trust, the Georgian Group and a trustee of the Greenwich Foundation.

She was a member of St Paul’s Cathedral Fabric Advisory Committee for many years and previously served as head of the London division of English Heritage, before being appointed commissioner of the Royal Fine Art Commission and of its successor body, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE).

She has also been a member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation and was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. She was created a Dame of the Pontifical Order of St. Gregory the Great in recognition of her work for the Patrimony Committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.

Justin Albert

New OBE Mr Albert has worked for the National Trust charity in Wales for over a decade and has championed its role in conserving, managing and celebrating the natural and historic environment for everyone to enjoy. He is also the vice president of Hay Festival, a trustee of Hay Castle Trust and Farms for City Children and has served as a member on the Welsh Government’s ministerial advisory boards, including the historic environment and economy and transport.

“It’s a privilege to be able to play my part in caring for so many of the things that make Wales the special place it is and I’m honoured to have been recognised in this way,” he said.

“Wales has a strong tradition of partnership working and I’m incredibly proud to work alongside a fantastic team of staff, volunteers and partner organisations to look after and celebrate our nation’s historic and natural environment. I feel very fortunate to have worked with so many great people over the years from right across the sector.

“I’m hopeful that our collective efforts will continue to achieve real change and make a difference for the people of Wales. The last 18 months have really reminded us all just how important access to nature and heritage is and as we look forward, its crucial role in supporting our nation’s recovery from the pandemic.”

Mr Albert, who lives and farms in Powys, joined National Trust Cymru in 2011. With a strong focus on connecting people and nature, his time with the trust in Wales has seen the organisation flourish and has included taking on Parc Farm on the Great Orme, the long-term lease of Dyffryn Gardens in the Vale of Glamorgan, championing investment in renewables across Wales, leading its ambition to reach carbon net zero by 2030 and an ongoing commitment to ensure everyone feels welcome at the places in its care and can enjoy access to nature, beauty and history.

Prior to joining the trust, he enjoyed a long and successful international career in broadcasting, marketing and film production – including working at Animal Planet.

Violet McLellan

Montgomery resident Ms Mclellan, an assistant Powys County Council day services manager at Castell y Dail, is recognised for services to adults with learning difficulties.

Dyddanwy Pugh

Ms Pugh, from Brecon, where she works as a Welsh parliament office manager, is recognised for public and political service.