The full list includes people from Axbridge to Yeovil
Steve Taylor, CEO of Cabot Learning Federation, has received a knighthood in the New Year’s Honours list(Image: Cabot Learning Federation)
Almost 20 people from Somerset have been recognised in the King’s New Year Honours List. Local academy trust head Dr Steve Taylor from Nailsea was one of the people doing our county proud as he was awarded a knighthood.
Under his direction, the Cabot Learning Federation expanded from 12 to 35 schools. The CLF includes seven schools in North Somerset, seven in South Somerset, and 13 in Bristol.
Upon receiving the honour, Dr Taylor said: “Since learning of this award, I have thought about all those colleagues in the Cabot Learning Federation and in the wider sector, whose work and successes have inspired me over the years to strive to do my best for the children we serve, anything I would count as an achievement has come about as the result of working in collaboration with great people I have had the privilege of knowing, in the CLF and beyond.
“That includes a number of leaders in the Queen Street Group whose work in education has been recognised over the years, and I feel fortunate to have them as colleagues.”
He continued: “I am extremely grateful for this honour and look forward to sharing the news with colleagues and sharing the experience with my family, whose support I never take for granted.”
A representative of the government said: “[Dr Steve Taylor] is the CEO of Cabot Learning Federation (CLF). He holds an Honorary Doctorate in Education, is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, a trained Lead Ofsted Inspector, and National Leader of Education.
“Under his leadership, CLF has transformed schools in East Central Bristol, once among the most underperforming areas, into thriving learning communities. CLF expanded from 12 to 35 schools across the South West, securing high standards in Ofsted and performance outcomes.
“He is a founder member and Chair of the Queen Street Group, a national organisation of trusts who promote sector collaboration and professional development of senior leaders, while acting as a sounding board for government and policy makers. He launched the Boolean Maths Hub and established the Five Counties Teaching School Hubs Alliance, creating partnerships to tackle educational inequity by driving school improvement across 750 schools and providing outstanding initial teacher training to the southwest region.”
Just outside Somerset, a woman from Corsham was also recognised for her work inspiring 15000 children to pick up a book. Professor Sonia Blandford was named Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in part for her ‘2000 million minutes reading challenge’.
A representative for the government said: “She is the founder and former CEO of Achievement for All 3As, transforming countless young lives through partnerships with schools, colleges and the Department for Education. She spearheaded the “200 million minutes reading challenge’’ inspiring 15,000 children to read.
“She was one of four European experts for the European Commission contributing to a pan European policy on improving teacher professional development. She was one of the Bologna Agreement committee chairs responsible for aligning master’s qualifications across Europe.
“She founded and advised 10 charities, including Teach First, where she was responsible for creating a master’s programme, secured a National Initial Teacher Training Partnership contract and led partnerships with 14 universities, thus making her mark as an influential and well known individual promoting the cause of social mobility.”
Full list of people from Somerset in the King’s New Year Honours List
Axbridge
- Martin Robert Hodgson (Chief Executive Officer, YMCA Dulverton Group. For services to the community in Somerset).
Bath
- Jo Shanmugalingam (Lately Second Permanent Secretary, Department for Transport. For services to Transport and Innovation).
- Paul Robert Freeston (Lately Chair and Chief Executive Officer, apetito. For services to the Food and Drink Industry).
- Simon Howard Taylor (Volunteer, Liberal Democrats. For Political and Public Service).
- Eileen Gillian Clark (Vice-Chair, Pickwick Academy Trust Board and Chair, School Improvement Committee. For services to Education) .
Chard
- Margaret Edna Maltby (County President, Girlguiding Somerset. For services to Young People).
Nailsea
- Dr Steve Taylor (Chief Executive Officer, Cabot Learning Federation. For services to Education).
Street
- Sarah Helen Massey (Managing Director, Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. For services to Women’s Rugby Union).
Taunton
- Martin John Baker (Chief Commercial Affairs Officer and Managing Director, Paralympics, Channel 4. For services to Broadcasting).
- Fiona Bloor (Technical Lead, Geographical Aspects of Law of the Sea, UK Hydrographic Office. For services to the Law of the Sea).
- Terry David Thatcher (Geospatial Specialist, Submarine Operations and Support, UK Hydrographic Office. For services toDefence).
- Geoffrey Philip Pinney (Group President, West Hatch ScoutGroup. For services to Young People in Somerset).
Weston-super-Mare
- Susan Renee Marshall (For services to Education and to the community in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset).
- Susan Kathleen Collard (Fundraiser, Bone Cancer Research Trust. For Charitable Service).
Yeovil
- Ronald Gordon Homer (Treasurer, Yeovil Visually Impaired Bowls Club. For services to Blind and Partially-Sighted People in Somerset).
No town listed
- Jane Louise Hadfield (Lately Board Member, Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, Bristol. For services toEducation).
- Jonathan Wheatley (Managing Director, Stonebarn Landscapes Limited. For services to Horticulture and to Charity).