About us
Estates Manager Awarded at Buckingham Palace
Last week was an unforgettable one for Stephen Ornellas, our Estates Manager, who travelled to London for a very special occasion — the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. Stephen was invited in recognition of receiving his British Empire Medal (B.E.M.) for services to charity and the preservation of Chinese Martial Arts in Liverpool.
Although the medal was officially presented last December at the Liverpool Athenaeum by the Lord Lieutenant of Liverpool, this trip marked another proud milestone in a remarkable year. As head of a not-for-profit Kung Fu school now celebrating its 50th anniversary, Stephen’s decades-long dedication has left a lasting impact. The school regularly raises funds for charity— including a standout event where they carried a 125ft-long dragon up Snowdon in support of various causes.
Deeply rooted in the community, Stephen and his team work closely with Liverpool’s Chinese population and lead the Lion and Dragon Dance team that brings Chinatown to life each Chinese New Year. In 2024, Stephen’s contributions received notable recognition: a Certificate of Recognition from the Lord Mayor, an invitation to No.10 Downing Street to receive the Points of Light Award, and finally, the crowning honour — the B.E.M.
Reflecting on the award, Stephen said, “It was a great honour to be awarded a B.E.M. I was totally blown away that a person like me, from a working-class family from Dingle, would get this award. I wish my mum and dad could have seen it.”
We’re incredibly proud to have someone with Stephen’s passion and dedication leading our Estates Team.