Barbara Beadman was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List for services to the Glass Industry.

Mrs Beadman became a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers of London in 2004 due to her work across the glass industry.

She was installed as Master for December 2021 to December 2022 (the International Year of Glass).

Her glass career began with Plowden & Thompson Ltd of Stourbridge, a technical glass manufacturer, melting glass for applications such as electronics, neon tubing and medical use.

In 2000, the company bought Tudor Crystal delving into the completely different world of full lead crystal, supplying handmade crystal glass to a diverse market from golf clubs to the Indian High Commission.

As a Director, Mrs Beadman took the two businesses further into the art world, running courses, and holding festivals as well as glass art exhibitions.

She re-introduced the teaching of glass beadmaking into the UK in the 1990s for which she is a Founder Honorary member of Glass Beadmakers UK.

Mrs Beadman was also Chair, for over 20 years of the Friends of Broadfield House Glass Museum, that was home to an international glass collection.

Reflecting her diverse experience in the glass industry, Mrs Beadman has served as Glass Industry representative on the West Midlands Regional Development Board and is currently a Board Member of the British Glass Manufacturers Confederation.