The honours system recognises those who have made an outstanding contribution in their field of expertise. The list was published last week (Friday 14th June.)

Dorothy has championed the use of sustainable biomass in the generation of electricity. She is also a strong advocate of market reform with the clear aim of delivering a market place which is efficient and fair to all.

She commented: “I am truly thrilled to have received this honour and I am delighted to accept it not just for myself, but on behalf of Drax as my achievements are a reflection of the teamwork and dedication across the company.”

Dorothy joined Drax as Chief Executive in September 2005. The company owns and operates the largest, cleanest and most efficient coal-fired power station in the UK, responsible for supplying some 7% of the UK’s electricity.

At the other end of the supply chain, Drax’s retail arm, Haven Power, serves the electricity needs of a growing number of business customers.

Under Dorothy’s leadership, Drax has made carbon abatement central to its business strategy. With a focus on electricity generation from sustainable biomass Drax has ambitions to transform itself into a predominantly biomass-fuelled generator over the next few years, providing low carbon, low cost, reliable electricity.

With a BSc and MSc in Economics from the London School of Economics, Dorothy initially worked in banking. Her first experience of the power sector came from funding an independent power project in the Philippines while working for CDC, the UK Government’s development finance institution.

She later joined Powergen plc as assistant group treasurer and in 1998 moved to InterGen, the power generation subsidiary of Shell and Bechtel, where she became the head of the European business before moving to Drax.