Mr Hamid is the founder of Wirral-based The Contact Company which employs more than 1,200 people and the award is for services to small and medium-sized businesses

Call centre entrepreneur and chair of the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Asif Hamid, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Mr Hamid was one of the founding Members of the LEP and sat on the shadow board from 2010.

He founded The Contact Company in 2006 in Wirral, starting with 15 staff; the company now employs more than 1,200 people with a turnover of over £25m.

Mr Hamid is also chairman of the Wirral Chamber of Commerce and also has a voice in on the City Region Combined Authority.

He has received the award in recognition of his services to small and medium-sized businesses.

He said: “I am delighted by the award of this honour.

“I am privileged to have such an interesting career and am fortunate that I have been able get involved in a wide range of initiatives in the city region I love but I acknowledge you can’t achieve success alone.

“This award also recognises the support I have had from many individuals and organisations and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all.

“Supporting businesses to flourish and grow in the city region is something I am extremely passionate about.

“As LEP Chair I look forward to working closely with the Combined Authority and the whole City Region business community to continue the fantastic work we are doing and to create a vibrant inclusive local economy that provides opportunities for all in our community.”