Warley becomes an OBE for "services to charity communications". She has led the membership network for voluntary sector comms professionals since 2017, joining from Friends of the Earth, where she spent 28 years - latterly as head of comms and supporter experience.
Weed, who becomes a CBE for "services to the advertising and marketing industry", was among the most influential CMOs in the world during his nine-year stint as chief marketing and communications officer at Unilever, where he departed in 2019.
Weed has spent most of his career at the consumer goods giant, joining in 1983, and holding roles including marketing director and UK chairman. He has been president of the Advertising Association since September 2018.
Elsewhere, there was recognition of the role played by comms professionals during the coronavirus pandemic. Damian Staples, communications officer at The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, becomes an OBE for "services to the NHS during COVID-19".
Charandeep Singh, deputy CEO of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and a former PRWeek UK 30 Under 30 member, is made an MBE as founder of the Sikh Food Bank for "services to charity during the COVID-19 response".
A huge privilege to be in the Queen's New Year Honours List for Services to Charity. I dedicate this award to all #SikhFoodBank volunteers helping those in need. Thank you to all supporters https://t.co/nQbD5ApmG8 #NYHonours #ScottishSikhs pic.twitter.com/IQ2sLIQVBS
— Charandeep Singh (@CharandeepS1ngh) December 30, 2020
Richard Jackson, latterly head of operations and regional media at the Conservative Party, becomes an MBE for "public and political service". He previously held senior operations roles at the party. Since 2019, Jackson has worked at cyber security firm ArQit, initially as director of external affairs and comms and more recently as chief of staff.
In public affairs, Joan Edwards, director of public affairs and living seas at the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, becomes an OBE for services to marine conservation. And Fiona Auty, head of government relations at the National Physical Laboratory, becomes an MBE for services to science and engineering communication.
Meanwhile, three individuals featured in PRWeek's UK Communicators of the Year list have also been honoured.
There are knighthoods for Formula One racing driver Lewis Hamilton for "services to motorsports", and for former Tesco CEO Dave Lewis for "services to the food industry and to business". Kate Nicholls, CEO of trade body UKHospitality, becomes an OBE for "services to the hospitality sector, particularly during the COVID-19 response".
In total, 1,239 people received an award in the 2021 New Year Honours.
