Trevor Annon, founder and chairman of the Mount Charles group, has been awarded an MBE for services to business and the community in Northern Ireland.

Founded in 1988, Mount Charles has grown into a facilities management, catering, cleaning and events company with more than 3,000 employees across Ireland. Annual revenue is forecast to exceed £60 million.

The company was hit hard during the Covid-19 pandemic, losing 65% of its business within days. Around 500 staff were temporarily laid off, but the management team renegotiated client contracts and the business recovered.

Major clients include Moy Park, Spirit AeroSystems, Ulster Rugby, Down Royal Racecourse, ICC Waterfront Hall, Belfast International Airport and Translink.

Outside Mount Charles, Annon helped establish Crimestoppers in Northern Ireland and served as its voluntary chair for 12 years. The organisation became an important channel for information on criminal activity.

He also held roles at the Irish Football Association. As senior independent director during a period of governance challenges, his work helped the association secure £36 million in government funding for the redevelopment of the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park.

Annon later chaired the IFA Stadium Development Company voluntarily, delivering the stadium project on time and within budget.

In response to the honour, Annon said he never imagined the company would reach its current scale and expressed gratitude to his family, team and supporters.