The Business Archives Council (BAC) is delighted to announce that one of our trustees, Richard Wiltshire, has been awarded the MBE in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours for services to heritage, recognising his work as a trustee of the BAC, a member of the Business Archives Crisis Management Team, and as Archivist for the London Gay Symphony Orchestra.

Richard has been a trustee of the BAC since 2008, bringing a wealth of experience from his role as business archivist at The London Archives and current position as Archives Manager at Tower Hamlets Local History Library & Archives. In 2009/10, he was a key figure in the formation of the Business Archives Crisis Management Team—a core component of the national strategy for business archives launched that year.

The Crisis Management Team plays a vital role in rescuing business records at risk due to liquidation, administration, or takeover. Richard has been instrumental in several high-profile cases, including the preservation of archives from Debenhams and Thomas Cook. His efforts have extended beyond individual cases, helping to produce national guidance for archivists and insolvency practitioners and establishing a strong partnership with the Insolvency Practitioners Association to advocate for the protection of business heritage.

In addition to his work with the BAC, Richard has championed inclusive heritage as the Archivist for the London Gay Symphony Orchestra, ensuring the preservation of important cultural records.

Richard commented: "I’m thrilled to be on the honours list to highlight the immense value and power of archives to all communities. I’m proud to have helped save many business archive collections. We must also recognise that increased awareness of archives is paramount. Our collective heritage - encapsulated through written and audio-visual records, digital and physical - is routinely disposed of by organisations and individuals without understanding their ongoing historic value."

The BAC is immensely proud of Richard’s achievements and congratulates him on this richly deserved honour. His dedication and leadership have made a lasting impact on the preservation of the UK’s business and cultural archives.