Former ship registry boss Dick Welsh was sworn to secrecy about receiving an MBE in the New Year’s Honours as he enjoyed a family skiing holiday in France.

Mr Welsh, 60, had known since November he was going to receive the ’gong’ in a personal phone call ’that blew me away’ from the Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney.

He told his wife Sue but only on the strict understanding she did not disclose the news to anyone else.

So their lips were sealed as they travelled to the ski resort L’Alpe d’Huez in southeastern France with their daughters Tia, 21, and Lili, 18, for the festive season.

But he only broke the news to the girls after the official announcement in an online supplement of The Gazette, the official publication of the Crown.

Mr Welsh has now spoken for the first time about his success in an interview with Business News.

Mr Welsh and the family have been deluged with messages of congratulations since they returned to their home at Bradda, Port Erin.

Manxman Mr Welsh had also kept tightlipped with his parents John, 89, and Nona, 88, and they were at the airport to greet the family back to the island.

Mr Welsh was the director of the Isle of Man Ship Registry until his retirement last year. He was said by Government House to have been ’an excellent ambassador for the Isle of Man’ who had been ’in the vanguard of the Isle of Man’s maritime community for over 25 years’.

Government House officially said that for outstanding services to the maritime community of the Isle of Man and worldwide, Mr Welsh becomes a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen’s New Year Honours List, 2020. ’It feels quite surreal,’ Mr Welsh told Business News.

’Obviously I feel personally honoured to receive this award but I also feel it is in many ways a recognition of the work done by the hard-working team at the ship registry.

’In my opinion the Isle of Man is home to the world’s best shipping registry and one of the world’s best international maritime centres.

’It is the flag of choice for many of the world’s shipping companies and owners of super yachts.’

Mr Welsh praised the registry team for the way they accept that working there is not always a nine-to-five job, going in at all hours in accordance with international time zones to register new vessels with the Manx flag.

And Mr Welsh is also full of praise for Cameron Mitchell, a man he mentored and who now runs the registry.

But he singles out his wife Sue for the way she has supported him during more than 37 years of marriage, saying: ’She has been incredible.’

Mr Welsh refuses to turn his back on the sea and maritime matters and has since started his own consultancy business called DW Maritime Ltd.

He is also involved in a number of business organisations including IOM Maritime.

He said: ’It’s great to stay involved and to keep in touch with my friends and colleagues.’

Mr Welsh also plans to make full use of his 27 ft motor cruise called ’Caroo’ which is Manx for sea bream.

For instance he plans to take the boat on trips ’across the pond’ to Ireland.

Naturally enough, the vessel is registered with the Manx registry.

The Ship Registry said: ’Massive congratulations to our former director who received an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List. A fantastic honour thoroughly deserved.’

And Cameron Mitchell, who took over from Mr Welsh said: ’Well deserved, a true ambassador of the Isle of Man and its maritime centre of excellence.’

Mr Welsh was one of two Isle of Man residents to be recognised in the New Year Honours list. As reported in the Examiner, war hero Hector Duff is receiving the OBE.

Government House said: ’As director of the Isle of Man Ship Registry, Dick Welsh was the driving force behind its successful reputation, creating a devoted local team and dedicated agents overseas.

’The island’s Ship Register is recognised globally for exceptionally high standards and quality of service.

’His personal interest and dedication to the highest safety standards inspired confidence in his team and clients around the world.

’A former seaman himself, Dick Welsh has been in the vanguard of the Isle of Man’s maritime community for over 25 years.’