News – Madrid Resident Awarded Mbe In New Year Honours

A British resident in Madrid has been awarded an honour by Her Majesty The Queen in the New Year Honours List 2017.

Roger Cooke, latterly President of the British Chamber of Commerce in Spain and resident in Madrid, has been appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to British business in Spain and British-Spanish trade and investment.

Honours lists are published twice a year, on the Queen’s official birthday in June and at New Year, and recognise extraordinary achievement and service to the UK.  Following a nomination process, an honours committee reviews all the submitted nominations.  The Queen then awards the honour. In the case of Mr Cooke, his outstanding achievements ensured he stood out amongst the many nominations received for this year’s New Year Honours list.

An active member of the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) in Spain since 1992, Roger Cooke took on the non-remunerated post of President in April 2012, at the height of the economic crisis.  During his Presidency, Roger not only ensured the stability of the operation but revitalised the institution, dedicating a significant amount of his personal time to build stronger relationships with external partners, such as the Spanish government and major British companies operating in Spain.  Having stepped down as President of the BCC earlier this year, Roger remains committed to promoting relations between the UK and Spain.  He is an active member of the British Hispanic Foundation, an organisation which promotes cultural links between the two countries, and a strong supporter of the British Benevolent Fund, a British charity which supports British nationals in need in Spain.

The British Ambassador to Spain, Simon Manley, said:
“I am delighted that the achievements of Roger Cooke have been recognised by Her Majesty The Queen in this way,” “His leadership of the British Chamber, our principal partner in strengthened a €46 billion bilateral commercial relationship”.

Reacting to the news of his award, Roger Cooke said:
“I am delighted to receive this award and that a contribution to Anglo-Spanish trade has been recognised at a time when this is so important to both countries’ economic wealth and to their citizens. As always there is a team effort behind this success and it would not have been achieved without the great support of the team at the British Chamber of Commerce in Spain.”