Frank Norville, chairman of Norville Optical in Gloucester, was recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours 2011 with an Order of the British Empire for his services to manufacturing.
Norville has spent much time on Federation of Manufacturing Opticians' committees and served as board director and chairman, as well as being master of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers and serving on its court.
Norville, who described the OBE as recognition of the small and close-knit optical manufacturing industry, said: 'It is a great personal honour to be listed in the Queen's birthday list for services to manufacturing and to receive this award particularly on behalf of all our staff who have and continue to work extremely hard for whom it has been my pleasure to lead for a period as Norville continue our 114-year journey as manufacturing opticians.'
He continued: 'Many will know that I am passionate about British manufacturing, sadly neglected by most post WWII Whitehall administrations. The slide of long-established UK manufacturing into the hands of city types and "consultants", has led to the demise of many. At least there are some signs the tide may just be turning.'
Norville thanked all the company's customers whose support had enabled the business to continue and said he was grateful for messages of congratulations. 'Thanks to you all and my family who made this achievable,' he added.
