Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
Francesca Roberts, former chief executive of construction industry charity CRASH, receives the Honour of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours List announced June 14 2025.
Roberts OBE said: “I am delighted and overwhelmed to receive this great Honour of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025.”
Roberts OBE received the Honour for her dedicated services to Homelessness and Hospices. Responsible for leading the charity CRASH from 2007 until her retirement in May 2024, Francesca was instrumental in the charity’s success; supporting homeless charities and hospices across the UK with their construction projects.
Roberts continued: “None of us who dedicate our lives to the charitable sector do this in the expectation that we will receive an award; we do it because we believe in helping others and our society. However, to have the 32 years of service I have given to the charitable sector recognised in this way, is a wonderful validation of my work and what I believe in.”
“I hope more than anything that this Honour will help to shine a light on the great need there is to help people who are homeless and people who need hospice care within the UK.
“The work I undertook with CRASH charity to construct places that care for people would simply not have been possible without the outstanding support of the UK construction industry and the incredible people who work in it. I share this great Honour with every one of them, my past colleagues and trustees, and the people they help by constructing places that care for people.”
