DUBAI // Two British expatriates were named in Queen Elizabeth’s New Year’s honours list for their contributions to business relations between the UK and the UAE.
They were Timothy Clark, the president of Emirates airline, and Michael Tomalin OBE, the non-executive director of National Bank of Abu Dhabi (Nbad), the UK’s foreign office said.
Sir Timothy was awarded the honour of Knight of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) for his services to British prosperity and to the aviation industry.
Mr Tomalin has been appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) for services to UK and UAE business cooperation, and to the British community in Abu Dhabi.
“The basis for the incredibly close relationship between the UK and the UAE is the close bond between our people,” said Dominic Jermey, the British ambassador.
“This comes from the leadership at the top of both our governments and, just as importantly, from the people who drive the day-to-day business between our nations.
“Sir Timothy and Michael are outstanding businessmen who have contributed enormously to the partnership between our countries, as well as being integral to the successful development of two pre-eminent UAE institutions.”
The foreign office said Sir Timothy had been recognised as an outstanding British business leader and premier airline strategist, who has contributed for more than 28 years to British prosperity.
He has opened up business opportunities between the two nations and, under his leadership, Emirates’s engine-buying strategy has secured thousands of British engineering and aerospace jobs.
Sir Timothy has also had a wider influence, including his efforts to assist Britons in distress abroad.
Mr Tomalin was appointed chief executive of Nbad in 1999, when it was still a little-known local bank.
He has since helped it to expand, with branches in 18 countries across five continents.
He has also used his position to advise British businesses on economic policy and how to enter markets such as the UAE.
After his resignation as chief executive in July last year, Mr Tomalin was appointed to his current post.
Also recognised in the list was Col Rupert Robson, of the Royal Regiment Artillery, who is the defence attache at the British embassy in Abu Dhabi.
Col Robson was honoured for his distinguished military career and contribution to defence diplomacy between the UK and the UAE.
pkannan@thenational.ae