This year’s list, released this weekend, contains Oliver’s Army singer Elvis Costello, former Undertones frontman Feargal Sharkey and Acorn’s group marketing director Dan Langford, who were all awarded OBEs.

Langford, who picked up an OBE for services to business, has worked at Acorn for 15 years but has also made a voluntary contribution to support Welsh business and economic development.

Speaking to Recruiter this morning, Langford said his award also underlines the importance of the recruitment sector to business.

“Recruitment cuts across every business, every industry, whatever size there is. Businesses need people – it’s their greatest asset. It’s their greatest investment and any support in making sure you get the right people, the right fit at the right time, that’s critical in terms of business’ survival, in terms of sustainability, in terms of productivity. Recruitment firms are absolutely vital, aren’t they?

“That’s why it’s such a large industry. Gone are the days years and years ago where businesses would view recruiters as just a necessary evil. Now we’re very much part of the development plans.”

According to a statement released by Acorn late last week, Langford has supported and advised an array of organisations through voluntary non-executive roles and has served as a board member on the strategy board that set up the Cardiff Capital Region – one of only six board members drawn from the private sector – for which he also chaired the marketing and branding committee.

He has also made contributions as a board member of the Welsh government’s flagship business support service Business Wales, a member of the board of governors of the former Coleg Glan Hafren (now Cardiff & Vale College), a director of London Welsh Rugby Football Club, commercial director for the Welsh Commonwealth Games Team and director of the Wales in London Society.

He is also of the founding directors of FOR Cardiff, the Cardiff business Improvement district (BID), for which he is also chair of the marketing committee.

But despite his many varied roles, Langford described his award as a “complete surprise”. 

“I knew a month ago. I received a letter from the Cabinet Office but receiving a letter was a massive shock.

“I don’t know. I’m still trying to get my head around it. It’s just weird. I’m naturally humbled. Even though I’ve known for a month, I’m still surprised – delighted obviously, but I don’t what to make of it.”

And ahead of his day at the Palace, where he plans to be accompanied by his wife, daughter and son, he added: “I wait to hear now. I think in the next couple of months I get to find out where and when, and go from there.”

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