Several representatives of the leisure industry have been recognised in the New Year’s Honours list.

Fiona Reynolds, director general of the National Trust was made a Dame for her services to heritage and conservation.

“I'm absolutely delighted to have received this honour,” said Reynolds. “This award is really a recognition of the fantastic work that all National Trust staff and volunteers carry out everyday in looking after so many special places for everyone to enjoy.”

CBEs were awarded to Brendan Foster, founder of the Great North Run; Ann Hogbin of the Commonwealth Games Council for England; Brian Leonard of the DCMS; Paula Ridley of the Victoria & Albert Museum and Charles Saumarez Smith of the National Gallery.

Philip Riddle, chief executive of VisitScotland and Leisure Opportunitiesc columnist received an OBE for services to the tourist industry.

Other people awarded OBEs included Iwona Biazwick of Whitechapel Art Gallery; Paul Breach of the Academy of Food and Wine; Michael Cairns of English Heritage; Michael Cookson of British Cycling Federation; Maeve Kyle of Coaching Northern Ireland; Evelyn Taylor of Evelyn Tayor Aromatherapy Skin & Body Care; Gordon Taylor of the Professional Footballers Association; Helene Alexander of the Fan Museum; Katherine Allenby of the British Athletes Commission; Martin Bradley of Arts Council Northern Ireland and Richard Pearson, former chair of the British Institute of Innkeeping.