Businesswoman mum of Peppa Pig actress awarded OBE

Gill Riley has transformed the GGR Group in Long Crendon from a small, family run business with a £5,000 budget into a global success.

The lifting equipment and compact crane business was founded in 1995 and now employs over one hundred staff across three depots.

The managing director, who lives in Buckland Common near Tring, has been honoured for Services to Construction – a rare accolade for a female in the industry.

The official appointment will be marked with an investiture ceremony at St James’ Palace later this year.

She said: “I am truly honoured and humbled to have been chosen to receive such a prestigious award. It is very exciting to think that the work I have done over the years has had a positive impact on the construction industry as a whole.

“I’m proud that our equipment has helped build and maintain some of the most iconic and prestigious buildings across the UK. We’ve truly gone from strength to strength thanks to a fantastic team and supportive family around me; this is a proud day for the whole of the GGR family.”

Mrs Riley is one of only a handful of female bosses in the industry and says she has to work hard to overcome prejudice and gain the same recognition as men in the sector.

Her teenage daughter, Harley Bird, who attends Pipers Corner School, is the voice of much-loved children’s TV character Peppa Pig and became the world’s youngest ever Bafta award winner and BIFA nominee in 2011. Harley starred in the major motion film ‘How I Live Now’ which was released in October 2013. Gill’s youngest two children have also caught the acting bug; both have appeared on prime time television shows.