2010-03-10 Van Cuong Truong (MBE)

2010-03-10 Wing Yip (OBE)

Mr Van Cuong Truong (MBE) Mr Wing Yip (OBE) from the UK Chinese community are recognised for their contributions to British society in the 2010 Queen’s new years honours

Two ordinary men who have made an exceptional contribution to British society have been rewarded for their vision and hard work by being acknowledged in the 2010 New Year’s Queen’s honours.

Mr Woon Wing Yip, 72, who came to the UK as a 19 year old with only £10 in his pocket – has been made Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the oriental food industry.

Mr Yip commented: “I am obviously delighted to have been nominated but I have no idea who nominated me.”

He added: “My humble beginnings have driven my achievements in business and the contributions I have made to the British Chinese community. My first job, when I came to England, was washing up and making teas and coffees at a restaurant in Kingston, Hull, but I was determined that I wouldn’t be doing that all my life.”

Mr Yip kept that promise to himself and his business empire is worth over

£80 million and includes his famous chain of supermarkets, that has made oriental food and ingredients more readily available in Britain.

Mr Yip, is officially the first Anglo-Chinese tycoon in the UK and has used his status to set up the W Wing Yip and Brothers Charitable Trust – which provides bursaries and scholarship for university students in the UK and in China.

Mr Van Cuong Truong, was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), for his services to the Indo-Chinese community in South East, London.

He has worked tirelessly as head teacher of Lewisham Indo-Chinese Community School, to make it one of the most successful schools in London.

The School, which has 350 students, enables its students to marry their schooling with learning Mandarin, Chinese history, martial arts and traditional Chinese dance.

Mr Troung, commented: “To be honoured by the Queen is a real honour, and for doing something I really enjoy is a real bounce. I don’t really see it as work. I get so much satisfaction from seeing my students studying in an environment that allows them to learn about their culture whilst helping them to achieve their full potential in the UK.”

Sir Gus O’Donnell, the Cabinet Secretary and head of the Home Civil Service, said: “The honours system is an important way of recognising the outstanding contributions made by dedicated people from across the country, who have gone the extra mile to make a real difference to lives of people around them.

“These community heroes are ordinary people doing extraordinary things and come from all walks of life. It is important that we reach out to people from all backgrounds to ensure that the most deserving people are recognised.

“If you know of anyone who you believe is worthy of an honour from Her Majesty the Queen I would strongly encourage you to nominate them in the future.”

Anyone can make a nomination and suggest a person, regardless of age or background they feel has made a valuable contribution to their community and wider society.

To make a nomination or to learn more about the process log onto www.direct.gov.uk/honours or ring 0207 276 2777.

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