Former managing director of Virgin Holidays Amanda Wills has been awarded a CBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.
Wills, who left Virgin Holidays in May, started her career with Airtours in 1987 and has been honoured for her commitment to charitable work.
She is a trustee of the charity Kids’ Out, which provides positive life experiences for underprivileged children, and is also a board member of Breast Cancer Campaign’s Unlock the Cure appeal.
She has also fundraised for a clinic in South Africa for children with HIV for the past decade.
Wills is currently chairman of online members’ club Urbanologie, and also supports young entrepreneurs at start-ups throughout the UK.
She said: “This has come as a very unexpected and wonderful surprise. I take great joy and pride in both my professional and charity work and to be recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list is just amazing
“I’ve been very privileged to work with some incredibly talented people and this award would not have been possible without their support.”
A Virgin Holidays spokesman said: “We’re very pleased to hear of Amanda’s honour. It’s great that she’s been recognised in this way for the many lives she’s helped through her charitable work, which has been considerable. Well done Amanda, congratulations from everyone at Virgin Holidays.”