Government House is pleased to announce that His Majesty The King, Lord of Mann, has recognised six people in the Isle of Man in the 2026 New Year Honours List, which is published on 31 December 2025.
The Hon. Laurence David Skelly OBE
His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor has welcomed the announcement that the Hon. Laurence David Skelly MLC, President of Tynwald, has been appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of his long and distinguished service to the Isle of Man.
Beyond his parliamentary duties, Mr Skelly has made significant and lasting contributions to Manx culture, heritage and community life. As Chair of the Isle of Man Arts Council (2011 to 2013), and later as the Political Member with responsibility for community, culture and the arts, he championed the Island’s creative sector, promoted Manx cultural identity, and actively supported the growth of Manx language education. His work has consistently emphasised investment in young people, the preservation of heritage, cultural unity and support for vulnerable individuals and communities.
As Minister for Enterprise from 2014 to 2021, he led major national initiatives to boost the economy, encourage innovation and create opportunities across a diverse range of industry sectors, and served as a senior government minister during the challenging COVID era, helping to guide the Island through unprecedented circumstances.
Mr Skelly has also contributed to a wide range of local community projects. He has been a Rotarian for over 30 years, reflecting his long-standing commitment to service and community support through the Rotary Club of Rushen and Western Mann, and he is a founding trustee of the Rushen Heritage Trust, helping to preserve and promote local history and culture.
During his time living in the United States, Mr Skelly served as President of the North American Manx Association and undertook ambassadorial roles on behalf of the Isle of Man Government, promoting both Manx culture and economic opportunities for the Island and strengthening international engagement.
Mr Skelly has chaired numerous parliamentary committees and, as Joint President of the Isle of Man Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, has represented the Island internationally with distinction.
Widely respected for his integrity and collaborative leadership, Mr Skelly’s contribution to Manx civic, cultural and parliamentary life has been substantial and enduring.
Mrs Julie Elizabeth Stokes MBE
His Majesty the King has awarded the MBE to Mrs Julie Elizabeth Stokes for outstanding services to cancer patients on the Isle of Man in the New Year Honours List.
Mrs Stokes is recognised for her inspirational leadership and transformative impact on cancer services across the Island. Following her own breast cancer diagnosis, she founded a peer support group that quickly became the registered charity, the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group (MBCSG), through which she has mobilised volunteers, clinicians and the wider community to support patients.
In 2012, Mrs Stokes led the creation of a state-of-the-art Breast Unit at Noble’s Hospital, fundraising £1.5 million and working closely on its design and construction - a level of collaboration between a charity and public health service that was unprecedented at the time. She later led a further £3.5 million fundraising campaign, resulting in major improvements including a full refurbishment of the hospital’s Scanner Suite, directly improving patient outcomes and reducing the need for off-Island treatment.
Following MBCSG’s receipt of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2019, Mrs Stokes helped establish the Mannin Cancer Support Group, supporting patients with a wider range of cancers, and was instrumental in creating a cancer service user forum, now a key voice in shaping policy and services. She has also championed ‘quiet rooms’ at transport hubs and is central to the new £1.5 million Cancer Support and Information Centre at Noble’s Hospital, which will formally open in the New Year 2026.
Beyond fundraising, Mrs Stokes provides hands-on peer support, advocacy, and practical assistance to patients. Her vision, empathy and determination have left a lasting impact, ensuring patients are at the heart of cancer services on the Isle of Man.
Mrs Jennifer Anna Houghton MBE
His Majesty the King has awarded the MBE to Mrs Jennifer Anna Houghton for services to business and the community on the Isle of Man in the New Year Honours List.
Mrs Houghton is recognised for her outstanding leadership and lasting impact across the Isle of Man’s business and charitable sectors. Over a career spanning more than two decades in eGaming, insurance, accountancy, and financial services, she has combined commercial success with civic commitment.
Mrs Houghton was appointed Managing Director by the company's founder in late 2010 and went on to play a noteworthy role in the company's growth and development thereafter, until 2016. Her achievements were recognised in 2015 when she was named Isle of Man Businessperson of the Year.
She has played a sustained and influential role in the Isle of Man branch of the Institute of Directors (IoD), serving as a committee member and, between 2016 to 2025, as Chair. Under her leadership, the branch grew its membership, delivered high-quality business education for entrepreneurs and start-ups, and strengthened governance and international engagement. Mrs Houghton’s contribution was recognised in 2016 when she was named International Director of the Year (IoD Isle of Man branch), and she was elected a Fellow of the Institute in 2017.
In addition, Mrs Houghton is Chair and Trustee of the Diana, Princess of Wales, Hospice Care at Home Trust, leading fundraising efforts that have secured over £1.4 million to support palliative care services on the Island. She also contributed to the Manx Solidarity Fund, raising £700,000 to assist families and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mrs Houghton is widely admired for her energy, collaborative leadership, and commitment to mentoring the next generation of Island leaders. Her work has had a transformative impact, blending business success with a deep sense of civic responsibility.
Mr Gerald Joseph Callister
The outstanding community service of Mr Gerald Joseph Callister has been formally recognised with the award of the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King’s New Year Honours List.
Mr Callister, widely known and respected throughout Port Erin, has dedicated decades of his life to serving the local community, the Church, and the Isle of Man as a whole. His long career as Manager of the Port Erin Co-op made him a familiar and trusted figure; he was known for his kindness, personal attention to customers, and willingness to assist those in need, often delivering essential goods to vulnerable residents. Following retirement, he continued to support the cooperative movement as an Isle of Man Director of the Co-op.
A central part of Mr Callister’s life has been his exceptional service to the Church. He has been an altar server for sixty years, and for the past twenty-five years he has served as Churchwarden and Liturgical Assistant at Rushen Parish, following a decade of service at Bishopscourt Chapel. His dedication was acknowledged in 2020 with the award of Maundy Money.
Mr Callister has also contributed extensively to civic and community life. He has served as a Commissioner for Port Erin for over twenty-one years, taking on numerous leadership roles in local government. In addition, he has been a long-standing supporter of the Rushen Silver Band, the Port Erin Traders Association, and the Royal British Legion.
The award of the BEM recognises Mr Callister’s sustained, selfless, and heartfelt commitment to the people of Port Erin and the wider Island community.
King's Fire Service Medal – Mr Mark Alan Christian
Mr Mark Christian is awarded the King’s Fire Service Medal in recognition of over 30 years of distinguished service with the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service.
Beginning his career as a Retained Firefighter in 1994, he rose through the ranks to become Interim Chief Fire Officer in 2022. A highly respected leader, Mr Christian was instrumental in delivering the Island’s live fire training facility, achieved through his determination and expertise, which has secured significant savings and enhanced on-Island training capability.
Throughout his career, Mr Christian has driven improvements in operational training, vehicle replacement, estate development and staff engagement. As Interim Chief Fire Officer he initiated safeguarding duties, led the first full-Service review since 2009, and met firefighters at every station to shape the Service’s future direction.
Central to Mr Christian’s impact has been his exceptional commitment to partnership working. He has been pivotal in strengthening collaboration across blue-light services and government departments to ensure a robust and joined-up response to critical and major incidents. As a key member of the Emergency Planning Strategic Group, he identified gaps in multi-agency preparedness and facilitated the introduction of a Multi-Agency Gold Incident Command course, delivered through the College of Policing and the Fire Service College, ensuring the Island’s responders are trained to national standards.
Mr Christian exemplifies the values of the modern fire and rescue service and has served the Isle of Man with unwavering dedication, professionalism and distinction.
King's Ambulance Medal - William Daniel Benjamin Bellamy
Mr William Bellamy is awarded the King’s Ambulance Medal in recognition of more than 20 years of distinguished service with the ambulance service. He became Head of Isle of Man Ambulance Service in 2022.
Beginning his career in 2004 with Surrey Ambulance Service while studying Paramedic Science at St George’s Hospital, London, he qualified as a Paramedic in 2007 and quickly progressed into senior operational leadership roles across Surrey, Sussex, and Kent. As Head of Operations and later Director of Ambulance and Transfer Services for Manx Care, he has been instrumental in transforming the Isle of Man Ambulance Service. He introduced the 'See and Treat' model, integrated Clinical Navigation into the Emergency Services Joint Control Room, and by developing advanced practitioner roles he has enhanced the quality, accessibility and resilience of urgent and emergency care.
Central to Mr Bellamy’s impact has been his exceptional commitment to education and collaborative working. He established a locally accessible Paramedic Degree Apprenticeship in partnership with the University of Cumbria, forged professional links with Wessex, and ensured staff can access high-quality training while remaining rooted in their communities. He also plays a key role in emergency planning, major event resilience and patient transfer arrangements, including oversight of fixed-wing contracts, airline support and the Helicopter Emergency Medicine Service.
Throughout his career, Mr Bellamy has demonstrated outstanding leadership and integrity, guiding his teams through challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and major service reconfigurations. He is widely respected as an inspirational and approachable leader and has served the Isle of Man with unwavering dedication, professionalism and distinction.
