A proud Manxman who retains strong links to the island has been awarded the MBE.
John Donald Brian Christian has been awarded the MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s honours for services to education and the community in Tokyo.
He is head of the British School in Tokyo.
Other island recipients named in the New Year Honours list included former First Deemster David Doyle, businessman Stewart Clague, first responder Martin Benson of Rushen Emergency Ambulance, St John Ambulance stalwart Mary Bridson and artist Bryan Kneale MBE.
Brother of the late Steve Christian, founder of the island’s film industry, Brian Christian was born in the Isle of Man and is a graduate of Cambridge University, where he read English literature.
Having started his career at King William’s College, where he had also been a pupil, Brian eventually moved overseas to lead large international schools in Shanghai and Singapore after an enjoyable six-year spell as principal of Liverpool College.
He has been principal of the British School in Tokyo for the past seven years and has served as a board member of the Council of British International Schools.
Married to Lynda, he has three sons, two step-daughters and - so far - three grandchildren. He is due to retire in July - on Tynwald Day, appropriately enough - and is looking forward to being able to spend more time in the island which he will always think of as ’home.’
Wife Lynda said: ’My husband is a very proud Manxman and both his mother and brother still live in the island.
’We always pay a visit when we’re back in the UK.’
David Doyle receives a CBE for outstanding service to Manx law while Stewart Clague becomes an MBE for his outstanding contribution to the Isle of Man and the Lonan and Laxey community.
Two recipients are to be awarded the British Empire Medal - Mary Bridson for her many years of service to St John Ambulance and Martin Benson for his outstanding and continuing public service.
Bryan Kneale has been awarded the MBE for services to British art.