A young businesswoman whose ethos is “putting people and purpose before profit” was recognized at the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honors.
Josie Morris, director of eco-packaging company Woolcool in Stone, Staffordshire, has received an MBE in manufacturing and environmental services.
The 34-year-old joined the sales and marketing company her mother Angela Morris founded in 2014 after insisting that she be interviewed for the position and not treated differently from any other prospect.
Today she heads the 50-strong Woolcool team, which produces sustainable temperature-controlled packaging for the food, pharmaceutical and health industries – with clients such as Gousto, Abel & Cole, Fortnum and Mason, John Lewis, Waitrose and Unilever.
In addition to her role at Woolcool, Josie is a member of the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce Council, where she provides advice, help and support to small and medium-sized businesses, and is an export champion for Midlands Engine to promote UK trade.
She is also a board member of the Bio-based and Biodegradable Industries Association, which works for government and the oil industry to fuel the debate on sustainability and green economies.
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Josie said, “When I got the email from the Cabinet Office, I thought it was spam. I thought recognition like an MBE was only for people who are much further in their careers and who have achieved much more than me.
“When I found out it was real, I was overwhelmed. It’s a real honor.”
Josie added: “One of my first thoughts was about the great team we have here at Woolcool. Many of the things I’ve done I couldn’t have done without her. It’s like a soccer team, the players do the work and the managers just change tactics if necessary. So this MBE is suitable for everyone. “
Woolcool directors Josie and Angela Morris and Keith Spilsbury
Over the next 12 months, Josie will continue to grow the company by leading the move to a larger building in Staffordshire.
She said: “I am so proud of the way our team has done over the past 12 months and all of the effort that you – and my sister Jess – have put into making Woolcool a success .
“They have shown so much commitment and without them we would have no business.
“So I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped and helped me grow Woolcool. I can’t wait to celebrate all of our successes with a big party when we can.”
Elsewhere in Staffordshire, former Leek United Building Society’s HR director Tracey Johnson received an MBE in financial services sector services during Covid-19.
The 56-year-old has been a key driver behind effectively managing society’s Covid-19 crisis, supporting the local community, vulnerable customers and the organization’s staff.
She has also advocated the society’s diversity and inclusion agenda, which included the signing of HM Treasury’s Women in Finance Charter in June this year.
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The 31-year-old food retailer Hannah Findlay from Biddulph in Stoke-on-Trent, who has received a BEM for services in the food supply chain, will also be honored.
During the Covid-19 crisis, she not only ran her own business in Milton, but also supported other co-op businesses across the county with a great focus on helping colleagues manage their mental health and review their capacity.
In the West Midlands, 59 year old George Wrigley received an MBE for services to higher education.
Mr. Wrigley, the head of security and contingency planning at the University of Birmingham, has worked tirelessly to keep critical Covid-19 research, education and student welfare services at the university operational during the crisis.
He led a team of 60 people who had to keep the campus a safe place for those who need to be there during the crisis.
His planning ensured the university could continue to conduct critical research related to the virus and operate laboratories to test up to 10,000 swabs daily and support clinical trials related to Covid-19.
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And Nursing Home Manager Cheryl Harbourne has been awarded an MBE in Services for Veterans During Covid-19.
The 55-year-old has been the Home Manager of Royal Star & Garter in Solihull since 2015.
The home provides care to the military veteran community – those who have served and their partners.
At the beginning of the crisis, Cheryl decided to appeal to the staff, move in and live in the house 24/7, including herself, for a fortnight.
35 employees followed and joined her.
This bold move ensured that all 60 residents remained safe while the infection rate in the area increased.