Chairman of two Tees Valley firms awarded MBE at Queen's Birthday Honours

Clive Wood, 69, of Whitby in North Yorkshire, was awarded a Member of the British Empire for his services to industry, skills and voluntary services to the community.

Mr Wood, who owns Skelton-based Tees Components and Middlesbrough-based Dormor Machine & Engineering Ltd, received royal recognition for his contributions to the East Cleveland and Tees Valley areas, throughout his career on Teesside.

The chairman, who had left school when he was 15-years-old, failed to achieve any qualifications but after securing an apprenticeship role, employment as a machine operator and sales representative, he finally joined Tees Components in the 1970s.

Upon acquiring the firm, which had 20 employees at the time, Mr Wood was said to have grown the firm over the years, with more than 100 employees and known as one of Britain's leading heavy engineering subcontractors.

Upon receiving his award, Mr Wood said: “I am exceptionally proud to receive the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

"It represents the talent, tenacity and dedication that exists in East Cleveland and Tees Valley in industry, but also within education and community groups that are determined to improve the life choices of local young people.

“We have shown as a company and as an area the importance of apprenticeships, and this honour is also recognition for all the young people who have taken the vocational route and achieved quality careers in highly-skilled professions.

“This is a region of indomitable spirit and determination that flows through everyone who lives and works here, and I am honoured to have played my part in creating opportunities in business and in the community that have helped individuals and organisations flourish.”

Mr Wood has also supported more than 50 charities and community organisations in his time, most notably his work has helped junior sports clubs, dance schools, sea cadet groups and groups working with young people with disabilities.