Executive Chairman Cecil Duckworth has spoken of his huge honour and delight after being awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Mr Duckworth was awarded the honour for services to charity and to the community in Worcestershire.
The self-made multi-millionaire’s life in the region started when he moved to Worcester in the 1950s. He built up a successful business, Worcester Heat Systems, that was bought by Bosch in 1992 before turning his attentions to the rugby club.
Mr Duckworth was previously awarded the OBE for services to rugby and the community and made a Freeman of the City of Worcester in 2008.
He is one of the original benefactors of the city’s Acorns Children’s Hospice and is a founder of the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust, dedicated to the conservation, protection and enhancement of the natural and built environments for the people of Worcestershire.
“I found out just a few weeks ago when the letter came through to say I had been awarded a CBE and naturally it came as a big surprise,” said Mr Duckworth.
“It’s a huge honour and great privilege to be recognised in this fashion. I was awarded an OBE in 2004 and I’m looking forward to return to Buckingham Palace with my family again. That was a truly special occasion and this will be another very special day for us all.
“Since I’ve been awarded the OBE I have been lucky enough to have lunch with the Queen when she visited Worcester so it would be fantastic if she was there when I go to receive the CBE.
“It’s totally out of the blue but I am obviously delighted to be awarded this rare honour.”