Two Bahrain-based residents will be awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) as their names have been announced in Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Birthday Honours List, the British Embassy announced last night.

British Ambassador Iain Lindsay congratulated British Council director Tony Calderbank and Sandy Whitford for being selected for the top honour, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

“I am delighted that both Tony Calderbank and Sandy Whitford have been recognised in this way,” said the diplomat.

"Tony made an invaluable contribution to the UK’s work in South Sudan and Sandy has made a huge contribution both to British education and to the British community in Bahrain," he remarked.

"They both richly deserve their awards. On behalf of the Embassy and the British community, I offer them my warmest congratulations," added Lindsay.-TradeArabia News Service