But Royal Opera House architect Jeremy Dixon bags the top spot with a new year knighthood.
Construction professionals who worked on the Millennium Dome dominated the list of industry figures in the new year’s honours list.

Royal Opera House architect Jeremy Dixon led the way with a knighthood, but most honours went to those working on the £800m Greenwich showcase, successfully completed for the celebrations.

Dome architect and Richard Rogers Partnership director Mike Davies was appointed a CBE along with Buro Happold senior partner and dome design engineer Ian Liddell.

Davies, famous for wearing red clothes, said he may abandon the habit when he visits Buckingham Palace. Davies said: “I’m not sure what the protocols are. If I can wear red, I will, but I’ll respect the conventions.”

McAlpine/Laing dome project director Bernard Ainsworth, who was in charge of the day-to-day running of the project, was awarded an OBE.

Ainsworth said he was slightly embarrassed by the award. He said: “It’s really a team award that recognises everyone’s efforts on the project and I’ll accept it on behalf of the team.”

Dome site development manager Peter English was made an MBE, as was Richard Coffey, project manager for site structures and transport. Site and structures finance manager Susan Kidd also received an MBE.

All three are employed by New Millennium Experience Company. Roland Paoletti, head of architecture and station design for the Jubilee Line Extension, was given a CBE. Other industry figures given CBEs included Housing Corporation chief executive Anthony Mayer, architect and former Royal Fine Art commissioner Ian Ritchie, former president of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland Joyce Deans, and John Gibbons, chief architect of the Scottish Executive.

OBEs were awarded to Helen Stone, chairman of the Construction Industry Council equal opportunities taskforce; architect Chris Wilkinson; and Professor Gordon Benson, senior partner in Benson & Forsyth, which designed the National Museum of Scotland. Other OBEs included Chartered Institute of Housing president Margaret Vass; Donald Leeper, director of the Building Services Research and Information Association; Peter Garratt, former chairman of the British Consultants Bureau; and Michael Underwood, managing director of GA Construction.

London Eye architects Julia Barfield and David Marks were appointed MBEs, along with Federation of Master Builders president Derrick Ovington.

MBEs also went to Thomas Carroll, managing director of Laing Partnership Housing; Edward Hampton, a clerk of works with the Globe Trust; David Manson, partner in surveyor Doig and Smith; and Hazel Dunn, a senior clerk with a Shropshire-based builders merchant.