DIRECTOR GENERAL AWARDED MBE IN QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST
The Camping and Caravanning Club’s Director General Robert Louden has been awarded an MBE for services to the Outdoor Recreation Industry.
The announcement, the second of two published every year, comes on Her Majesty’s Official Birthday.
“I am absolutely stunned and feel very privileged to be in the company of so many talented people who I know have also received honours,” said the 60-year-old rugby, motorsport and sailing enthusiast from Daventry, who is himself a camper and caravanner.
“I do the job that I do at the Club in the way that I do it, with a lot of it being a reward in itself, so for somebody to decide I should get recognised for that is incredible.
“My family are very proud and I owe a huge debt of gratitude to all of my past and present colleagues, both at the Club and from within the outdoor industries sector, as well as our 600,000 members who have helped shape the Club in to what it is today.”
Robert joined the Club 18 years ago as Director of Administration and implemented a restructure for the Club before becoming Director of Operations to focus on delivery of products and services to members.
Following a period as Deputy Director General he became Director General in 2007.
Robert is also a former Chairman of Forest Holidays and currently Chairman of Camping in the Forest, both joint ventures with the Forestry Commission.
He was the founder and Chairman of the Caravan Safety and Security Group which has overseen a great reduction in caravan thefts. He is a Past Chairman and current member of the Club Care Insurance Management Committee. He is also a board member of the Outdoor Industries Association (OIA) and is a member of the nominations committee at the Sport and Recreation Alliance (SRA).
Robert is a Past Chairman of the Federation International De L’Automobile (FIA) Camping and Caravanning Commission and represents the Federation International du Camping and Caravanning (FICC) on the FICC/FIA/AIT liaison committee.
Club Chairman Albert Walker added: “It is a very worthy honour and everyone connected with the Club should be extremely proud of Robert’s achievement.
“He does a lot for the Club and I am delighted that he has been recognised for his tireless work within the outdoors industry.
“Camping and caravanning is continuing to grow as a pastime and Robert has played his part in that over the last 18 years. He deserves his moment in the spotlight.”
Robert will attend Buckingham Palace or another Royal Residence during the year to receive his honour from Her Majesty or another member of the Royal Family in person.
He follows in the footsteps of George Cubitt, the Club’s General Secretary, who received an MBE in the Birthday Honours List in 1974. He was the first person ever to receive such an award for services to camping.
Meanwhile, Olive Reay (Chairman from 1993-1995) was awarded an MBE for services to camping in 1995 whilst Ralph Lee was awarded his MBE in 1999 for services to caravanning.
Ends
For further media information or images, or to arrange an interview with Robert Louden please contact:
Jon Dale, 07748 936464 jon.dale@thefriendlyclub.co.uk
Editorial Notes:
1 The Camping and Caravanning Club is 111-years-old and is the largest and oldest Club in the world for all forms of camping. It has 109 award-winning sites throughout the UK and, through a partnership with the Forestry Commission, now runs and manages a further 19 Camping in the Forest touring sites.
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