'I am truly honoured and humbled': Northern Ireland charity director honoured with BEM in King’s Birthday List after nearly four decades of service

The Gallaher Trust operations director is recognised for his 37-year career spanning Gallaher, JTI and the creation of the legacy trust supporting jobs, skills and community impact in Northern Ireland

Ballymena charity The Gallaher Trust is delighted to congratulate its operations director, Greg McKinley, on being awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King's Birthday Honours List.

placeholder image — Greg McKinley, operations director at The Gallaher Trust, was the recipient of a BEM in this year’s King’s Birthday Honour’s List. Greg is pictured delivering an address at the recent Ballymena 400: Building on Partnership and Progress event

Greg's connection with Gallaher and then JTI spans an extraordinary 37 years, beginning in 1980 when he joined the company, including four years on a university scholarship.

In 2017, Greg led the team responsible for establishing The Gallaher Trust as a lasting legacy organisation following the closure of the Gallaher and JTI operation, ensuring that the company's enduring commitment to its people and community would live on. His contribution to that process was so highly valued that he was asked to remain as operations director of the newly formed Trust, a role he has continued to fulfil with the same professionalism and care that has defined his entire career.

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Since its establishment, The Gallaher Trust has made a tangible impact on the Northern Ireland economy, creating employment opportunities, upskilling individuals, and supporting disadvantaged adults into work and learning. Under Greg's operational leadership, the Trust has become a valued contributor to the economic and social fabric of the Ballymena area and the wider region.

Ian Paisley, chair of The Gallaher Trust, said: "Greg is the kind of person who simply gets on with it, quietly, capably, and with diligence. Day in, day out, he goes above and beyond what is asked of him, and this honour is richly deserved. On behalf of everyone at The Gallaher Trust, our trustees, the delivery partners and the wider Ballymena community, I want to offer Greg our warmest and most heartfelt congratulations.

“We are immensely proud to have him as our operations director, and this award reflects not just his professionalism but his genuine care for creating jobs, upskilling people and helping disadvantaged adults through The Gallaher Trust.

Greg added: "I am truly honoured and humbled to receive this award; this is a team effort and is an acknowledgement of the work of The Gallaher Trust.”

The King's Birthday Honours recognise individuals across the United Kingdom who have made outstanding contributions to their communities and fields of work. Greg joins a distinguished group of recipients whose efforts have been formally recognised by His Majesty The King.

The Gallaher Trust extends its congratulations to all those honoured in this year's Birthday Honours List in Northern Ireland.