New Year's Honour For Big Brother.

New Year’s Honour for former Hillsborough Head.

David Anderson MBE, MVO.

One of Northern Ireland’s longest serving and most distinguished public servants has been awarded the Personal Order of the Sovereign in the New Year’s Honours List.
David Anderson, until recently Household Manager at Hillsborough Castle, has become a Member of the Victorian Order.

The Royal Victorian Order was instituted by Queen Victoria in 1896, and is given as a reward for personal service to the Sovereign and members of her family. The order is prized as a mark of high esteem and favour, and is bestowed directly by the Monarch without the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

David Anderson was educated at Movilla High School, and the College of Business Studies, Belfast, where he was awarded a scholarship to study in Switzerland. On his return, he held senior positions with the Hastings Hotel Group, before being appointed Household Manager at Hillsborough Castle in 1984.

During his 25 years service at Hillsborough, David has worked for 12 Secretaries of State, 4 Prime Ministers and a single Sovereign!. Amongst a range of historic events, he has overseen the hospitality arrangements for the Good Friday Agreement and peace negotiations, the Bush/Blair visit of 2003, in excess of 250 royal visits to Northern Ireland and countless visits of Presidents, Prime Ministers, ambassadors and world leaders. David was also responsible for the introduction of the Gallery to Hillsborough Castle which has subsequently hosted both the Downing Street Silver collection and a selection of HM The Queen’s dresses. The award of MVO will be David’s second trip to Buckingham Palace. He was previously awarded MBE for Services to the Northern Ireland Office in 1997.

David Anderson departed Hillsborough Castle in October 2009 to pursue new projects. Speaking today he commented that he was overwhelmed and deeply honoured by this very special and particular award, which he dedicated to his three children Connor, Lauren and Neve.

Congratulations to David - the Anderson family are extremely proud of his achievements.

HMA