Paul Southworth Of Direct Selling Association Named In Queens Birthday Honours List

 

Paul Southworth, outgoing Director General of the U.K. Direct Selling Association, has been named an Officer in the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

As part of the celebration honoring Queen Elizabeth II’s 88th birthday, the royal honors recognize individuals for their achievements in public life and their service to Britain. Southworth will receive the award “for services to Business, Arts and the community in Northamptonshire” from her majesty during a special investiture at Buckingham Palace.

“The award came as a complete surprise and I feel both honoured and humble to receive such recognition,” Southworth told DSN. “As always it could only have happened because of the incredible team of people I have the privilege to work with, and it is as much their recognition as mine.”

Southworth’s career in direct selling has included the role of President and CEO of Northampton-based Avon U.K. He has also chaired the Trustees Board at Northampton Theatres and sat on the Board of the Northamptonshire Arts and Management Trust. For nearly 10 years, Southworth was Chairman of the Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership (NEP), previously Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited (NEL), where he helped secure millions of dollars in support of local economic development.

Southworth will continue to support the U.K. DSA in an ambassadorial role after retiring this year. The Association’s current Deputy Director General, Lynda Mills, will step into the role of Director General.