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Royal recognition for Acas people

Acas people have received a royal recognition. A former Acas Chair is set to become a Lord and an Acas staff member has been recognised with an OBE.

  • The King has confirmed his intention to grant a peerage to former Acas Chair, Sir Brendan Barber. 
  • Acas Senior Advisor, Debbie Lane, has been recognised with an OBE for her charity work in the 2025 King's New Year's Honours.

Interim Acas Chief Executive Officer, Dan Ellis, said:

"It is a great achievement for Acas people to receive such prestigious royal recognitions for their hard work and I offer Sir Brendan and Debbie my warmest congratulations."

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Background notes

Sir Brendan Barber, former Acas Chair was nominated for a life peerage last month and will become Lord Barber once he's officially appointed. He built his career through work at the TUC, serving as its General Secretary between 2003 and 2012. He then took over as Acas Chair between 2014 and 2020. The latest peerages were announced on 20 December 2024.

Debbie Lane, an Acas Senior Business Adviser, was honoured as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her work as Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the LGBT+ Cymru Helpline and Progress Cymru Counselling in Wales. Read the full King's New Year Honours List on GOV.UK.