Abu Dhabi-based execs in NY Honours List

Two British businessmen based in Abu Dhabi have been honoured in the Queen's New Year Honours List published on Saturday.

Nicholas Cochrane-Dyet, deputy chair of the British Business Group in Abu Dhabi, and David Spearing, board member, have been awarded MBEs.

Cochrane-Dyet, a communications manager for BP and a Sandhurst graduate, was recommended for the award for services to British business and charitable work in the UAE.

A long-term UAE resident, his father was an officer in the Trucial Oman Scouts, prior to the UAE’s formation.

Spearing came to Abu Dhabi in 1968 to manage a consultancy practice in the construction industry and established his own practice in 1973.

He was recommended for the MBE for services to British business and to the British community in Abu Dhabi.

Also awarded an MBE was Philip Bowell, who was CEO of Bahrain Airport Services until he stepped down in October 2011, for services to British industry in Bahrain.

Paul Dryden, lately entry clearance manager, UK Border Agency, British Embassy in Kuwait was also honoured for services to UK prosperity.

Nicola Woodget, lately second secretary, British Embassy, Kuwait, also picked up an MBE for services to UK interests in Iraq and Kuwait.

Abu Dhabi-based Jeffrey Larkin, director of Power and Water Middle East, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Abu Dhabi, was awarded an OBE for services to reconstruction in Iraq.

Larkin was previously country manager, Iraq, where he spent seven years overseeing the company's critical role in helping to rebuild and expand power supplies for the people of Iraq.

He was ultimately programme director for this $3.6bn project, responsible for a team of almost 300 staff delivering over 560 power projects in a very difficult and challenging environment.

The New Year Honours List was dominated by British Olympic and sporting heroes, headed by Bradley Wiggins who was knighted.

The cyclist, who won the Tour de France and an Olympic gold, appears on a special list drawn up to recognise 78 Games heroes. Sailor Ben Ainslie was also knighted.

Katherine Grainger, Victoria Pendleton, Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah and David Weir became CBEs, and Andy Murray won an OBE.

Away from the Olympics, there were OBEs for actor Ewan McGregor and fashion designer Stella McCartney, while illustrator Quentin Blake was knighted on the main list for those not involved in London 2012.

In total, 1,223 people have been recommended to The Queen for an award.