Senior figures recognised in New Year’s Honours list

Senior figures from Derby’s cultural and business sectors have been recognised in the 2025 New Year Honours.

Marvin Cooke, who joined the University of Derby as its Professor of Enterprise in September after a 33-year career with Toyota Motor Europe, and Tony Butler, executive director at Derby Museums, have both been made OBEs.

Meanwhile, former Rolls-Royce chief executive Warren East, is to be knighted for services to the economy and to net zero.

Mr East was awarded the CBE in 2014, before he led the British engine manufacturer as chief executive for seven years until his retirement in 2022.

Speaking about his honour, Professor Cooke, who has received his OBE for services to automotive manufacturing, said: “I am deeply humbled to receive the honour of an OBE for services to automotive manufacturing.

“The automotive sector has long been a driving force of innovation and, despite undergoing a period of profound change, continues to advance the frontiers of technology and sustainability.”

Mr Butler, who is recognised for services to the arts, said: “I’m delighted to be awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours list.

“It’s a brilliant recognition and reminder of the way the work of Derby Museums is admired in our city and the rest of the country.”

The honours system recognises people for their achievements in public life and commitment to serving and helping the UK.

Derby is famous for its enterprise heritage and, prior to joining the University of Derby, Professor Cooke spent 40 years driving industry forward in the UK, predominantly at Toyota, culminating in leading its manufacturing arm as executive vice-president.

Today, he is sharing his vast knowledge and experience of a fast-paced, high-tech global environment with its academics, students, and industry partners.

Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE, vice-chancellor of the University of Derby, said: “Professor Cooke is a world leader in industry engagement, and he vibrantly brings business to life with real-world scenarios.

“He is an excellent and inspiring colleague and all of us at the University of Derby are incredibly delighted and proud of him.

“Professor Cooke is an exceptional colleague who is helping to ensure the University of Derby is recognised as one of the best places to study business in the world.”

Tony Butler has been executive director at Derby Museums since 2013.

The trust is responsible for three museums – Derby Museum and Art Gallery, the Museum of Making and Pickford’s House.

Working in museums for over 25 years, Mr Butler began his career at the National Postal Museum and identifies as a social history curator at heart.

He sits on the UK National Museums Director’s Council executive committee, is a member of the English Civic Museums Network steering group and is a committee member at the Midlands and East arm of the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Tony said: “Derby Museums is for the thinker and maker in all of us, and in the years to come we’ll continue to inspire the next generation to see themselves as creative beings.”