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OBE Awarded to Young OR

Former Reigate Grammar School pupil (RGS 1993-96), David Hope-Jones, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s 90th Birthday Honours for services to international development.

At 33 years old, David Hope-Jones is amongst the youngest recipients of an OBE: well under half the average age.  Historically, less than 4% of all Honours go to those under the age of 40.

David Hope-Jones is now based in Edinburgh where he has served as Principal Officer of the Scotland Malawi Partnership since 2008, during which time the organisation has grown significantly in scale, reach and impact. The Scotland Malawi Partnership is the national network coordinating, representing and supporting the long-standing civic links between the two nations.

David Hope-Jones has also served as Secretary of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Malawi since 2008, through which time there has been sustained all-party support for Scotland’s civic links with Malawi in Holyrood.

David Hope-Jones said:

“It is a fantastic surprise and a great honour to be named in the Queen’s 90th birthday honours list.  Not something I would have ever dreamt of!

“I spent some of my earliest years in Africa, with my family based in Malawi and Botswana; so it’s wonderful to be helping support the continuing friendship with Malawi.”

Secretary of State for Scotland, Rt Hon David Mundell, said:

“I am very pleased that David has been awarded an OBE and it is testament to many years of dedicated service.”

Former First Minister of Scotland, Rt Hon Lord Jack McConnell said:

“This is so well deserved. David Hope-Jones is a leader, builder, humanitarian and terrific adviser. Congratulations.”

Before leading the Scotland Malawi Partnership, David Hope-Jones worked as Services Manager the Youth and Schools Manager for the British Red Cross in Edinburgh.  He lives with his wife Amelia in Bruntsfield, Edinburgh.  They welcomed their first child in 2016.

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