Attitude publisher awarded OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours
Darren Styles is being honoured for services to the economy, diversity and charity.
By Will Stroude
The publisher of Attitude magazine, Darren Styles – Managing Director of Stream Publishing – has been named on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2018.
He is to be appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) as a Publisher and Ambassador for the GREAT Campaign, for services to the economy, diversity and charity.
“A WONDERFUL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT”
Said Darren Styles OBE: “What on Earth do you say? I’m a kid from a council estate, product of a comprehensive education and a lifetime self-starter moving into grumpy middle age. Who imagined things like this were for people like me? But what a wonderful acknowledgement of not only what I do, but of the people around me and the causes we have committed to.
“I started my own company in the first instance to give myself a job, and now there are 30 of us. I was delighted to assist the GREAT Campaign, through our clients’ magazines, both to promote their products and services overseas and because I believe absolutely in this country’s ability to innovate, inspire and export. And I acquired Attitude magazine in 2016 because, after nearly 25 years, it was time it was owned and run by an actual gay man!
“The money we have raised for the Elton John AIDS Foundation and others in between times has been in response to a calling, that’s all. Having built a platform and an opportunity, it would have been remiss of me not to use it. And you do none of these things for recognition – you do it because you can, you want to and because it feels good to do your bit!
“PERFECT TIME TO LAUNCH THE ATTITUDE FOUNDATION”
“So I am surprised, delighted and honoured – not least at the timing, as we are about to launch (next week, in fact) our own Attitude Foundation, to spread our body of charitable works still further among the LGBT+ community we serve.
“I’ll love and cherish this moment and this honour, but I fully intend to share and use wisely any light it shines on me.”