Revitalise’s Chairperson Receives British Empire Medal in Queen’s Birthday Honours List

Respite holiday charity Revitalise are delighted to announce that their Chairman, George Blunden, has received a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for 2021.

The award is in recognition of George’s time working in the housing sector with Stonewater housing association and in setting up the Longleigh Foundation, a unique charity which has continued to flourish since its inception back in 2015.

Commenting on George’s honour, Revitalise CEO Jan Tregelles said:
“We are delighted that George’s efforts have been recognised in the Birthday Honours list – it is thoroughly well deserved. I have witnessed first-hand George’s commitment to serving disadvantaged and vulnerable people. His chairmanship has been transformational for Revitalise and his expertise and experience has enabled us to support thousands of disabled people and carers through the darkest days of the pandemic. Congratulations George.”

George began working life as an adventure playground worker before establishing his career in the banking, investments and insurance sectors where he has held a number of senior executive and non-executive positions including with Warburg Securities, Union PLC and insurers Beazley PLC.

For the last nine years, he has been the Chair of Charity Bank, the specialist retail bank which lends to charities and social enterprises, and has chaired housing associations Stonewater Housing Association, and Southern Housing Association. He continues as a non-executive director of the Lloyd’s subsidiary of Beazley and chair of The Housing Finance Corporation which funds social housing. Revitalise announced the appointment of George as Chairman of Revitalise in March 2020.

George describes his Honour as a great surprise and feels humbled by the nomination. Revitalise Chair George Blunden said:
“There are so many people, quietly working selflessly in the interests of others in our communities, it was an unexpected call. The Honours list is testament to the many people making a difference in all walks of life and I feel privileged to be named among them.”

For 57 years, Revitalise has provided respite care breaks to a huge range of people and are the UK’s largest specialist provider of respite breaks for seriously ill and disabled people. These are a vital lifeline to so many unpaid home carers and their disabled family members.