Comedian Bill Bailey and England Women’s Rugby World Cup boss on Somerset’s New Year Honours list

The incredible talents of Bill Bailey and Sarah Massey have been recognised

The well-known actor and comedian has been recognised (Image: PA)

A famous comedian and the woman who led the women’s England Rugby team to victory are among those who have been recognised in the King’s New Year Honours list.

Somerset and the surrounding towns and villages has been strongly represented in the King’s New Year Honours list, with dozens of individuals recognised for their contributions to sport, public life, culture, education, health and community service across the region.

Among them include Sarah Massey, the Managing Director for the record-breaking Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 in England. This was a landmark event that saw the Red Roses win their first World Cup since 2014, setting attendance and viewership records, and inspiring a new era for women’s rugby, with Massey’s leadership crucial in making the tournament a massive success. Her role involved delivering a tournament that showcased brilliant rugby and boosted the sport’s profile, leading to huge success on and off the field, as confirmed by Sport England and World Rugby.

Comedian and actor Bill Bailey is among the Somerset Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for his services to entertainment. Born in Somerset and educated in Bath, the well-known stand up comic has been a regular on television screens for years, even being crowned Strictly Come Dancing’s oldest winner at 55, in 2020.

Below is the full New Year Honours List for Somerset:

Knight Bachelor

• Dr Stephen Peter Taylor. Chief Executive Officer, Cabot Learning Federation. For services to Education. (Nailsea, Somerset)

Companions of the Order of the Bath (CB)

• Joanna Elizabeth Clare Shanmugalingam. Lately Second Permanent Secretary, Department for Transport. For services to Transport and Innovation. (Bath, Somerset)

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

• Paul Robert Freeston. Lately Chair and Chief Executive Officer, apetito. For services to the Food and Drink Industry. (Bath, Somerset)
• Simon Howard Taylor. Volunteer, Liberal Democrats. For Political and Public Service. (Bath, Somerset)

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

• Martin John Baker. Chief Commercial Affairs Officer and Managing Director, Paralympics, Channel 4. For services to Broadcasting. (Taunton, Somerset)
• Fiona Bloor. Technical Lead, Geographical Aspects of Law of the Sea, UK Hydrographic Office. For services to the Law of the Sea. (Taunton, Somerset)
• Eileen Gillian Clark. Vice-Chair, Pickwick Academy Trust Board and Chair, School Improvement Committee. For services to Education. (Bath, Somerset)
• Jane Louise Hadfield. Lately Board Member, Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, Bristol. For services to Education. (Somerset)
• Martin Robert Hodgson. Chief Executive Officer, YMCA Dulverton Group. For services to the community in Somerset. (Axbridge, Somerset)
• Margaret Edna Maltby. County President, Girlguiding Somerset. For services to Young People. (Chard, Somerset)
• Sarah Helen Massey. Managing Director, Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. For services to Women’s Rugby Union. (Street, Somerset)
• Terry David Thatcher. Geospatial Specialist, Submarine Operations and Support, UK Hydrographic Office. For services to Defence. (Taunton, Somerset)
• Jonathan Wheatley. Managing Director, Stonebarn Landscapes Limited. For services to Horticulture and to Charity. (Somerset)

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

• Susan Kathleen Collard. Fundraiser, Bone Cancer Research Trust. For Charitable Service. (Weston-super-Mare, Somerset)
• Ronald Gordon Homer. Treasurer, Yeovil Visually Impaired Bowls Club. For services to Blind and Partially-Sighted People in Somerset. (Yeovil, Somerset)
• Susan Renee Marshall. For services to Education and to the community in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. (Weston-super-Mare, Somerset)
• Geoffrey Philip Pinney. Group President, West Hatch Scout Group. For services to Young People in Somerset. (Taunton, Somerset)
• Mark Robert Bailey. Musician, Comedian, Actor and Broadcaster. For services to Entertainment. (London, Greater London)
• James William Deane. Founder, Sporting Family Change. For services to Sport and Fitness in Bath and North East Somerset. (Trowbridge, Wiltshire)

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

• Victoria Louise Seymour. Lately Tutor, Somerset Skills and Learning. For services to Skills. (Ottery St Mary, Devon)
• Christine Alice Storry. Procurement Manager, Bath and North-East Somerset Council. For services to Sustainable and Local Food Procurement. (Bristol, Bristol)