A Bradford-born businessman known affectionately as “Mr Yorkshire” has been recognised for his work promoting the region in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.

Keith Madeley joins a raft of people receiving honours from in and around Bradford, including a long-serving civil servant, an accountancy firm partner, a design company boss and a head teacher.

Mr Madeley, chairman of the Yorkshire Society, was awarded an MBE for services to the community in Yorkshire.

He said: “It was just an amazing feeling. At the end of the day with all the charities and organisations I chair I’ve got a very good team behind me.

“I have got to thank all those who have helped make it possible.

“I was in a state of shock. I have kept it under wraps which has been very hard.

“People kept saying with the amount of work I’ve done I should have been honoured, and I have had to keep it quiet.”

Mr Madeley is also chairman of the Duke of York’s Community Initiatives and chairman of Arts and Business Yorkshire. He was given the role of regional chairman of the Prince’s Trust in 2009.

He has more than 30 years of experience as a financial adviser, including running Manor Financial Management in Bradford.

Mr Madeley, a grandfather- of-four, said the highlight during his time at the Yorkshire Society was when the Duke of York accepted his invitation to become the society’s patron.

“That was really exciting,” he said.

“As a Bradfordian it has been nice to use the society to promote a lot of the traditional industries.

“My mum and dad were both in textiles in Bradford so it was nice to contribute to that.”

Civil servant of almost 30 years Jason Feeney, of Apperley Bridge, has been awarded a CBE for his work at the Pension, Disability and Carers Service (PDCS) of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Mr Feeney’s role as strategy director involved trying to improve the services offered by the department and making them more accessible.

One of his projects involved launching a new bereavement service which means people only have to ring one number to tell DWP a relative has died, rather than having to ring around several departments.

“It’s about making daunting, off-putting bureaucratic processes that people can be intimidated by more friendly,” he said.

Of his honour, Mr Feeney, 47, who now works as chief operating officer at the PDCS, said: “It was a surprise and it is nice to be recognised.

“It was a terrific thing and a lovely surprise.”

An administrative assistant at the HMRC accounts office in Shipley has also been recognised with an MBE.

Mum-of-two Sharon Tavendale, 43, said: “I was surprised and shocked. I really didn’t expect it and it’s not sunk in yet. I’m very pleased. I just go to work, do my job the best I can and come home. Obviously someone thinks I do a good job.”

Burley-in-Wharfedale businessman Richard Bottomley has been given an OBE for services to the accountancy profession and to business in the North- East.

Also recognised was Jonathan Sands, of Guiseley, chairman of international brand design business Elmwood Design Ltd. He has been awarded the OBE for services to the Creative Industries.

Yorkshire’s regional director of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) Dorothy Fairburn has also been awarded an MBE.

She said: “I am absolutely thrilled and delighted to accept this award on behalf of the wonderful team I work with at the CLA and as recognition of the work the CLA does in Yorkshire for farmers, landowners and rural businesses.

“I have a great job – helping members deal with the red tape and bureaucracy that blights their lives.

“Representing their interests at every level of government is extremely rewarding.

“I would also like to pay tribute to colleagues in the other farming and rural organisations that I work with in Yorkshire, especially those in the public sector who are facing an uncertain future as a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

“We are going to lose some very committed people from the rural policy landscape in Yorkshire.”

Bradford consultant head teacher Pauline Pendlebury has been awarded an OBE for services to education.

Soldiers of The Yorkshire Regiment were recognised in the honours list, including Lieutenant Colonel James Brasher, who received an OBE, and Major James Bryden and Major Samuel Humphris who were awarded MBEs.

Beverley Kenny, of Bradford, head of catering and event management at the University of Leeds, was awarded an MBE for her services to higher education. Judith Marsden, former senior residential officer co-ordinator at Leeds Metropolitan University, has also been awarded an MBE for services to higher education.