John Armitt, Chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), has received a Knighthood in Britain's New Year Honours List, made public on 31 December. He is knighted for his services to engineering and construction.

(PRWEB) January 02, 2012

John Armitt, Chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority [6] (ODA), has received a Knighthood in Britain's New Year Honours List, made public on 31 December. He is knighted for his services to engineering and construction.

There are also honours for LOCOG Board member Charles Allen, who is knighted for his services to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games [7] and former ODA Director of Construction, Howard Shiplee, who becomes a CBE for services to construction. Former ODA Head of Arts and Cultural Strategy, Sarah Weir, is appointed an OBE for services to the Arts.

John Armitt, who has extensive experience in the building, civil engineering and industrial construction industries, was appointed Chairman of the ODA on 1 September 2007.

He said: “I have been privileged during my career to be supported by many people with whom I share this honour to our industry. I am especially proud of what the industry has achieved in building the Olympic Park [8].

“That we have been able to keep this project on time and within budget is down to the hard work of the ODA team, our delivery partner and other organisations involved in the delivery of the Games. None of this would have been possible without the knowledge and expertise of the engineering and construction team - from workforce to management.

“I am also delighted to see that other members of the ODA team have been recognised in the New Year's Honours List.”

Olympic Delivery Authority Chief Executive Dennis Hone said: "John has been the ultimate ambassador for the London 2012 project and has led the team with confidence and experience. He has been pivotal in highlighting the role of the British construction and engineering industries at every level, particularly as we move towards completion of the venues and infrastructure, on time and within budget.”

LOCOG [9] Chair Seb Coe said: “John has led one of the biggest regeneration projects in the world and has delivered that project on time and within budget. The success of the project not only showcases British construction and engineering but also lays the platform for a successful Olympic and Paralympic Games. It's only right that John should be recognised for this achievement.

"I'm also delighted that Charles Allen should be recognised for the tremendous work he has done as Chair of LOCOG's Nations and Regions Group. His work, both during the bid and since winning, in bringing about the UK-wide benefits of the Games delivers on our promise that the Games should be a catalyst for change throughout the UK."

John Armitt was previously Chief Executive of Network Rail from October 2002 and Chief Executive of Railtrack plc from December 2001.

From 1986 to 1993 he was Chairman of the Laing International and Civil Engineering Divisions, a company he joined as a graduate in 1966. From 1993 to 1997 he was Chief Executive of Union Railways - the company responsible for development of the high speed Channel Tunnel Rail Link. In 1997 he was appointed as Chief Executive of Costain, a position he held until 2001.

John is also Chairman of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, is a Non-Executive Director of the Berkeley Group and an Advisory Board member of PwC and Siemens.

He was awarded the CBE in 1996 for his contribution to the rail industry and is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Institution of Civil Engineers.

After the Games John will be formally elected to the position of Chairman of Council, and Trustee Board, at City & Guilds.

Charles Allen, Chair of LOCOG's Nations and Regions Group, who was also knighted said: "I feel very honoured to have received a knighthood. I have been privileged to have worked on the games from the beginning and see this as recognition of the amazing work that thousands of people have put into making the games in 2012 such a success for everyone throughout the United Kingdom. The Games will enable us to showcase the UK at its best."

For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 100

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For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/1/prweb9072823.htm [10]