AP McCoy among prominent Catholics recognised in new year's honours list

Catholic teachers and charity heads were among those recognised in the new year's honours list today.

In politics Denis Keefe, Ambassador to Serbia, who was educated at Campion school in Hornchurch, was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG). 

In sports Mark Cueto, the former England rugby player, who was a pupil at St Thomas More school in Crewe, Cheshire, was made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to rugby union.

The jockey Anthony Peter ("AP") McCoy confirmed that he will become a knight in the new year's honours list for services to horse racing. The Northern Irish jockey, who retired at the end of the last National Hunt season, was the most successful British jockey of all time and will become only the second jockey ever to be knighted after Sir Gordon Richards was knighted in 1953.

Meanwhile, among the charities recognised were the mental health charity Mind, whose Catholic Chief Executive, Paul Farmer, will become a CBE, and the homelessness charity Depaul UK.

Hannah Carmichael, a trustee of Depaul, was made an OBE for services to homeless and vulnerable young people.

Catholic schools were also recognised. Maureen Martin, headteacher at Coloma Convent Girls’ School in Croydon, was made an OBE for services to education, as was Pauline Wilson, headteacher at Ursuline Preparatory School in Essex.

Meanwhile the former General Secretary of the Church of England, William Fittall, who presided over the debate around women bishops, will be knighted.

Rev Brian Mountford, the vicar at St Mary the Virgin in Oxford, will become an OBE for services to Ecclesiastical Heritage.