Trevor and family enjoy a date at the palace

Having worked as a civil servant for almost 42 years, he was appointed an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2012 for services to the Driver & Vehicle Agency. Trevor had spent the last 34 years working for DVA until his retirement in April, 2012.

Born at Loughry Gate Lodge, Cookstown, he started his civil service career in 1970 as a mapper in Land Registry, before going home to Loughry Agricultural College in 1971 when he completed his apprentiship as a motor mechanic in the college engineering department, under the direction of Ian Duff and Billy McCartney.

Having gained a full Technological Certificate in Motor Vehicle Engineering, he transferred in 1978 to the Department of the Environment Vehicle Inspection and Driving test branch as a vehicle and driving examiner. After periods working in Omagh, Cookstown, Lisburn and Larne he moved to the organisation’s Belfast headquarters in 1986, working in roadside enforcement, quality control and training.

In 2000, he was appointed operations director and in the following years played an important role in the implementation of business improvements, including a PFI contract to replace vehicle inspection equipment/processes, telephone and internet booking of vehicle and driving tests, ISO quality systems and the delivery of technical training in the agency.

Trevor was accompanied on his trip to London by his wife Daphne, daughters Louise and Rosemary and son James.