New Year’s Honours

It is quite remarkable that there appears to be nobody from the UK SITS sector honoured in any way in the New Year’s Honours List. Given the contribution that our sector makes to the economy, this is both surprising and disappointing.

However, I would highlight two honours;

• David Quysner gets a CBE. for services to the Venture Capital Industry. David is the Chairman of RCM Technology Trust plc – where I serve as a Director. David is also the Chair of Abingworth Management Limited. David hold other advisory and director roles and was Chair at Comino up to its acquisition as well as serving as a past Chairman of the British Venture Capital Association.
  
• Although not in the New Year list BT boss Ben Verwaayen - CEO at BT - has been made an honorary knight of the British Empire. Ben is a Dutch national so cannot use the title "Sir". Other honorary knights include Bill Gates and Stephen Spielberg. My friend Mike Cansfield wrote an excellent piece – Ben Verwaayen knighted for services to the communications industry - on Ovum’s EuroView on the appointment. I would certainly put my name to the points that Mike makes.