We would like to congratulate our Chairman Graham Wrigley on receiving the award of Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George for services to international development awarded in the latest Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Graham received the award for services to international development in a career spanning 32 years. During that time he has worked with a range of organisations, including The Himalayan Trust UK, that have supported some of the poorest people in the world in their journey out of poverty. He first became involved with the sector during what would become a life-changing visit to India and Nepal in 1981, at the age of 19. Motivated by the scale of the poverty and the depth of the need, he resolved to dedicate himself to help address it once he had gained the skills and experience required. A chance meeting with Sir Edmund Hillary during the same visit led him later to become a co-founder of the Trust together with George and Mary Lowe and his father in 1989.
Graham Wrigley said: “I am deeply honoured and humbled by this award. I have been privileged to work with so many dedicated and brilliant colleagues and partners all over the world during the last 30 years, in particular the Himalayan Trust. Sir Ed was an inspiration to so many of us and it has been wonderful to work with all the Trustees over the past three decades and the wonderful mountain people of Nepal.”
John Walton, Deputy Chairman says “We are delighted that Graham has been acknowledged for his hard work for the Trust and other organisations. As well as co-founder, Graham has been the Chairman since 2015 and never tires to make things happen. He regularly visits Nepal and our partners on the ground. He was in Kathmandu between the two earthquakes in 2015 and led the Trust’s “Building Back Better” appeal which led to the rebuilding of over 160 classrooms in Everest and Kanchenjunga regions and more recently ensured the completion of the Yamphudin Health Post as part of our Health work. We look forward to continue making a difference to the lives of the mountain people of Nepal inspired by Graham’s leadership.”
The announcement of HM Queen’s Birthday Honours list is here and a list of the Higher Awards can be found here.
