Five Jersey residents on New Year Honours List

Five people from Jersey have been honoured in the New Year Honours List.

Detective Superintendent Alison Fossey has been made an MBE for services to policing and the wider community.

The Head of Crime and CID joined the States of Jersey Police in 2002, and became the first female officer to achieve the rank of Superintendent in 2019.

She was further promoted in 2021, to become responsible for the Criminal Investigation Department, the Drug Squad, the Public Protection Unit, the Offender Management Unit, Crime Scene Investigation, Digital Forensic Unit and the coordination of Jersey Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements. 

Advocate Cyril Whelan also becomes a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to Jersey's judiciary.

Advocate Whelan was called to Jersey bar in 1982 and spent almost three decades in the Law Officers' Department until his retirement in 2007.  He was Crown Advocate and has also served as Acting Attorney General.  He is a relief Coroner,  Employment and Discrimination Tribunal judge and remains a Senior Consultant at the local law firm Baker and Partners.

He is also Chairman of the Jersey Gambling Commission,  and was on the board of Jersey Opera House for more than a decade until he stepped down earlier this year.

He says he's very grateful to be recognised for his work:

 "To have a career that enables one to participate in the public life of one's native island is a wonderful thing, but then to hear that it's been noted by the monarch is very moving and heart-warming."

An MBE is also the honour bestowed on Nick Kershaw, Co-founder of Every Child Our Future and Co-chair of the Jersey Community Foundation.

The former is an education charity that supports children from disadvantaged backgrounds with literacy and numeracy, whilst the JCF distributes funds to local causes, including lottery proceeds.

Solange Rebours has been made an MBE for services to Girlguiding.  As a volunteer she has held many roles, including Chief Commissioner for guiding in South West England.

She has previously received Girlguiding’s most prestigious award for exceptional service, after being a leader for 36 years. 

She says people who volunteer don't do it for the recognition, but that she is thrilled:

"I had a fabulous time in Guides. I had leaders who really went above and beyond for me, and I think it's really important to give back.

"That's what spurred me on to become a guiding leader."

Finally, a British Empire Medal (BEM) goes to Gordon Burgis for services to Jersey’s sailing community.

The former national and european surfing champion is known across the island for his pioneering achievements across several sporting disciplines, and his mentoring and coaching of others.

The record-breaking Hobie Cat racer is also celebrated by the squash and racketball communities.