It is once again time to reveal the Kent people who have been named in the Queen's New Year's Honours list.

The former director of the Marlowe theatre and the first black female bishop are among those awarded for their achievements and services to the community.

Knights Bachelor

Peter Kenneth Estlin - Tunbridge Wells - for services to international business, inclusion and skills

A former Lord Mayor of London who resides in Tunbridge Wells has been honoured with a knighthood.

Peter Estlin has spent the majority of his career in finance, initially as a partner in Coopers and Lybrand, before moving into senior banking roles in Hong Kong, New York, and London.

Elected an alderman in London in 2013, the 58-year-old went on to serve as Sheriff of the City of London between 2016 and 2017 and then Lord Mayor of the City up until last month.

He is also a senior advisor to Barclays.

Besides his thriving career, Mr Estlin has been a governor of Bridewell Royal Hospital, the overarching charitable foundation since 1993, acting as chairman for 10 years.

Driven by a belief in the importance of education, he supports many charities in this field including Barclays LifeSkills and Onside Youth Zones.

Through this work, Mr Estlin hopes to help young people gain the skills needed for future careers.

He is married to Lindy and they have a son and two daughters.

Mr Estlin said: "I’m absolutely delighted to have been awarded such an honour.

"It hasn’t really sunk in yet but the sense of motivation to do more is enormous.

"From childhood I’ve felt a need to support others where I can and that’s something I’ve been able to do more and more over the years and want to carry on doing."

Order of the Bath (CB)

Indra Suzzanne Morris - for services to social mobility

Indra Morris joined the Department for Education in 2017 as director general for social care, mobility and equalities (now director general for social care, mobility and disadvantage).

Since January, she has also taken on duties as the deputy permanent secretary.

Prior to this, Ms Morris was director general at both HM Treasury and Ministry of Justice as well as taking a short secondment to the cabinet office.

She also spent nearly 10 years at Accenture, where she became a strategy partner focused on public services.

Beginning her career in 1995, she joined the department for social security as a fast streamer, having left school early and completing a certificate of higher education at Hillcroft College for Adult Women.

She then worked in Hackney Social Services before studying politics, philosophy and economics as a mature student.

Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Graham Gordon Razey - Maidstone - for services to education

Graham Razey, chief executive of the East Kent College (EKC) Group, has been made an OBE in the New Year's Honours list for his services to education.

He is credited with rapidly transforming the fortunes of Canterbury College – securing its first “good” Ofsted rating in more than a decade.

When he became principal in July 2016, Mr Razey had a huge task on his hands, with the institution penniless and suffering academically.

But when Ofsted inspectors paid a visit just seven months later they said the college’s “highly capable senior leaders, directed by an inspirational principal, have had a rapid and significantly positive impact on the culture of the college and on the quality of teaching and learning”.

At the same time, Mr Razey maintained EKC’s “good” rating, with a number of “outstanding” features.

Mr Razey, who lives in Maidstone with wife Shireen and son Charlie, took on the role of CEO following the merger between Canterbury College and East Kent College, which resulted in the creation of the EKC Group.

He has since been appointed to the Department for Education’s Principals’ Reference Group, as well as becoming a National Leader for Further Education, helping struggling colleges across the country and informing national policy.

He began his career in further education when he joined South Kent College as its sports and recreation manager after graduating with a degree in mathematics and accounting from the University of Kent in 1993.

Mr Razey then became head of mathematics, before being appointed as head of academic studies in 2000, when the college achieved a 100% A-level pass rate.

In April 2010 Mr Razey was appointed as principal and chief executive of the former Thanet College and led its rebrand to East Kent College.

A keen sportsman, he plays cricket in the Kent League for Offham CC and completed the London Marathon to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust after the loss of one of his students to the illness.

Speaking about his OBE, Mr Razey, said: "From the very first lesson I delivered, I was hooked on how Further Education transforms lives.

"Over the years I have been hugely inspired by our students, who often overcome significant barriers to keep studying, and achieve their aspirations.

"Seeing their smiles when they achieve their first certificate or secure their dream job has been all the reward I have needed.

"I am truly honoured to receive this OBE and hope in some way that it helps to raise the profile of technical and vocational education.

"I have always championed the role that Further Education colleges play within their local communities and I feel privileged to have been a part of many fantastic partnerships between local groups, businesses and the Colleges which I have led.

"I have been blessed with having a great network supporting me, but I would like in particular to thank my wife and son who have been my rocks, and with whom I look forward to celebrating this honour."

Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)

John Ireland Blackburne Cannon - Tonbridge - for services to the British cobnut industry

Another man has been nominated for his dedication to the cobnut industry.

John Cannon, a retired farmer from Plaxtol in Tonbridge, set up the Kentish Cobnuts Association in 1990 in a bid to boost the industry.

He is now the president of the group which has 194 members.

A cobnut is a type of Hazlenut that has been grown in Kent since the 1600's.

The 88-year-old said: "Things have changed and now they get imported a lot and the industry wasn't doing great so I formed the association.

"We have 50 varieties on our farm and they tick all of the boxes for the environment.

"When I found out I had been nominated I was quite surprised, it was most unexpected.

"I found out about a month ago with a letter from the Cabinet Office.

"I do anything to advertise and promote cobnuts.

"The thing is I am very pleased to be in this position but I have had many people help me set up the association and such.

"I am very passionate, the first time I was involved in cobnuts was 1970 and I wanted to keep it growing and provide people with a tree nut that was known to an ancient history.

"We have a good team and we are always trying to expand it and push the cobnut."

Graham Edward Coldman - Edenbridge - for services to the community

A 76-year-old man has been recognised for his community work in Edenbridge by being awarded MBE.

Graham Coldman has volunteered for a number of charities throughout the last 20 years including Citizens Advice, Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Services (DAVSS) and The Eden Centre Community Partnership.

The grandfather-of-six said: "Someone had indicated to me that I had been nominated but I don't know enough about the system to know the mechanics of why that is.

"I have known for the last five or six weeks and I feel humbled because I think there are a lot more worthy people than me.

"I have been living in this area for 23 years and I know so many people who have given up their time for the community so I don't know why I have been singled out.

"I am just trying to give back a little bit to the community. I have enjoyed what I am doing and contributing to the fortunes of those organisations."

Mark Everett - Canterbury - for services to theatre

The man who helped transform the Marlowe into the sleek glass theatre it is today has been recognised with an MBE.

Mark Everett spent more than 20 years at the Canterbury theatre, a substantial portion of his 43 year career in the field.

During this time, he was instrumental in the £26 million redevelopment of the playhouse, persuading everyone from business people and councillors to the local community to get on board with the idea.

Mr Everett then became the first director of the new theatre, remaining in the role for seven years.

Some of his proudest moments include the opening night, when the Philharmonia Orchestra were welcomed into the striking new auditorium, leading onto a good relationship and regular concerts at the Marlowe.

Another is forming a close alliance with the National Theatre, partly through his youth theatre work in Canterbury.

Working with young people has always been important to Mr Everett.

He said: "When I was a young man I had some fantastic people who advised me and I was able to do the same with younger people in Canterbury and I look back at that with great pleasure."

Charity shows to raise money for organisations including Great Ormond Street and Pilgrim's Hospice were also a significant aspect of Mr Everett's career as was standing as a school governor at The Orchard special school for 20 years.

In regards to being named on the honours list, Mr Everett said: "I'm feeling slightly humbled at the moment, I have to say.

"I've been retired for almost two years now so to have this is like cream on the cake stuff really."

He added: "If we didn't invest in theatre and the arts we would be see a big difference in our country - culturally, spiritually but also economically.

"The economic impact of a theatre in its region is immense."

The Right Reverend Rose Josephine Hudson-Wilkin - Dover - for services to young people and to the church

The first woman black Church of England bishop has been made an MBE in the Queen's New Year honours list.

It comes just a month after Rt Rev Dr Rose Hudson-Wilkin was installed to her present post at Canterbury Cathedral on November 30.

The award is for services to young people and the church.

The new Bishop of Dover's career started as a priest in Hackney, east London.

The citation states: "Everywhere she has gone, she has broken down barriers and made history.

"She has campaigned relentlessly for equality for women in the church, which paved the way for others."

After her time in Hackney, the Rev Hudson-Wilkin, 58, was appointed as Chaplain to the Queen.

In 2010 she became the first woman appointed to the position of the 79th Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons.

She is an Honorary Canon at St Paul's Cathedral and a Priest Vicar of Westminster Abbey.

The citation adds: "She has been one of the most influential and effective ministers in the public sphere through her long service as Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons.

"She previously served as a member of the General Synod of the Church of England and also as one of the Panel Chairs of the Synod."

The Rt Rev Hudson-Wilkin said: “I am surprised and deeply humbled that I have been recommended to be awarded an MBE.

"I am committed to giving - and will continue to give - my best in serving all those entrusted to my care, whether I encounter them just once or many times - from the young person on the street to the formal setting of a classroom, politicians making our laws, or those I meet here in my new role with the Diocese of Canterbury."

Recipients of the British Empire Medal (BEM)

Kerry Louise Banks - Deal - for services to Breast Cancer

A fundraiser whose late friend predicted she would one day be ‘keeping company with the Queen’ has been recognised in the New Year’s Honours list.

Kerry Banks, 46, an ambassador for Breast Cancer Now, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to breast cancer.

It’s been a long time coming for the mum-of-one from Deal who started fundraising for the charity in 2006 and has since raised £214,500.

Her inspiration to start fundraising was her good friend Julie Mortimer, who died from the disease four years later.

Since then, Mrs Banks has referred to her work as Julie’s Legacy and carries a personal letter written by her good friend with her wherever she goes.

It is within that document, that Julie forecast this day would come.

Mrs Banks said: “It feels so surreal and a huge honour.

“The breast cancer work has completely changed my life path and gave me a real purpose."

David John Turner - Dover - for services to families of terminally ill children

A volunteer has been awarded the BEM for services to families of terminally ill children.

David Turner, 75, of Dover, has worked at the Demelza children's hospice in Bobbing since 1998.

He was inspired to do this by supporting the family of a terminally ill child in the late 1970s at a time when there were little or no specialist organisations for them.

Mr Turner said: "A colleague at the time told me that she had a son who was terminally ill with leukaemia.

"I taught him painting for two years until he died, aged 12."

Demelza House opened in Bobbing in September 1998 and Mr Turner joined it that April during the preparation period.

An engineer by trade, Mr Turner has no children of his own, has been a volunteer for various causes since he was 19 in 1963, such as for Mencap and the Samaritans.

He was a Samaritan supporting the families of victims of the Herald of Free Enterprise ferry disaster in 1987.

Mr Turner, who has never before had a Queen's honour, said: "It came as a bit of a shock. But I have never regretted a minute of the work I have done."

Melanie Ruth Lloyd - Upchurch - for services to young people and the community

Melanie Lloyd has been recognised with a British Empire Medal for services to young people and the community in south east England.

The 53-year-old devotes a fortnight every summer volunteering to Phab, a charity which provides experiences for young people with physical disabilities, learning difficulties or life-shortening conditions.

Phab also has 150 clubs across England and Wales with 8,000 members.

Ms Lloyd has helped more than 3,000 children and young people throughout the course of her volunteering.

She also plays a pivotal role in pulling together the large band of volunteers, carers and paid staff, needed to deliver a life-changing set of experiences for the youngsters who take part.

As well as this, Melanie tackles people's perceptions of young disabled people so they can get on in life.

Full Queen's New Year's Honours list:

Knights Bachelor

Peter Kenneth Estlin

Order of the Bath (CB)

Indra Suzzanne Morris

Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Graham Gordon Razey

Graham Harry Wilkinson

Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)

John Ireland Blackburne Cannon

Graham Edward Coldman

Mark Everett

The Right Reverend Rose Josephine Hudson-Wilkin

British Empire Medal (BEM)

Kerry Louise Banks

Kathryn Helen Bispham

Melanie Ruth Lloyd

Geoffrey Walter Rofe

Jacky Sheung Sang Kong

David John Turner

Read more: All the latest news from Kent