The chairman of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SE LEP), John Spence, has been awarded a CBE for his services to business in the South East in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Mr Spence has chaired SELEP, the business-led partnership covering Essex, Kent and East Sussex, for the last two years. He is also chair of the Colchester-based Spicer Haart estate agency and was formally chairman of Harlow Renaissance.

Mr Spence said: ““I am privileged and humbled to be recognized with this honour which reflects a range of activities.

“I have been blessed with working with some forward thinking businesses and innovative councils who are all working hard to stimulate growth and boost the local and national economy. I would like to pay tribute to their efforts as well.”

SE LEP director Susan Priest said: “John has worked tirelessly as chairman of SE LEP and in his many other roles to support businesses across the South East, challenging government and others to remove the barriers preventing companies of all sizes fulfilling their potential.

“I am sure everyone he has worked with and the wider South East business community will join me in congratulating him on a fully deserved honour.”

Mr Spence previously received an MBE in 1999 for services to the community and an OBE in 2006 for services to charity and business in the community.

Andy Wood, chairman of the New Anglia LEP, which covers Suffolk and Norfolk, and chief executive of Southwold brewer Adnams, received an OBE in this year’s Birthday Honours.