By Sarah Walker
31 July 2026
Bernard ‘Barney’ Ord was named in the King’s birthday honours list earlier this year.
A group of old friends got together at The Crathorne Arms to celebrate 91-year-old Bernard ‘Barney’ Ord being honoured with an OBE.
The Teesside industrialist and philanthropist was named in the King’s birthday honours list earlier this year and will make the trip to London in September to receive the OBE from King Charles III himself.
The small gathering at the Crathorne Arms saw friends including Tony Zivanaris, owner of The Deck nightclub in Redcar, and Eugene McCoy, Crathorne Arms’ owner and well-known restauranteur, enjoy a quiet meal and a few drinks together in celebration.
Eugene, who recently received the Tees Business restaurant of the year crown, voted for by readers of the publication, said: “It’s great to have some friends meeting here today to congratulate Barney Ord on, firstly, being just over 90, which is incredible, and also on his OBE.”
Barney was born in 1935 and credits people who brought him up and educated him with his success.
“Education is so important,” he said.
“I’m delighted – so pleased – about the OBE, and I feel it’s a tribute to those who taught me and brought me up.
“I will go down to London in September with my wife Julie, who is rather chuffed, to receive the honour from the King himself.
“I will be a little bit nervous but not overly nervous.”
Barney has built up many successful businesses over 70 years, as well as supporting a wide range of charities helping thousands of people across the region.
The Boro fan started as an apprentice mechanical engineer at South Durham Iron and Steel Company, before studying marine technology in Sunderland.
He co-founded Erimus Engineering, carrying out ship repairs and engineering work, before becoming the founder of Northern Machine Tools, which became a globally successful business.
The much-loved grandad went on to become chairman or director of dozens of North-East firms, including Fairfield Industries and John Livingston & Sons, overseeing businesses employing more than 1,300 people at one stage.
Eugene said he was “honoured” to have Barney and friends over for lunch to celebrate.
Speaking of his track record in the restaurant industry, Eugene added: “I’ve been in the business about 55 years now. We were at the Tontine for about 36. We moved here nearly 13 years ago and Lord Crathorne said go ahead with whatever you want to do, so we turned it into what we thought was good.”
Sadly, Eugene lost his wife a few years ago, but he credits her and “a wonderful team of people who work with us” with his success in business.
“I’m just carrying on working which I’ve done all my life,” he said.
“We’ve picked up a few awards over the years and it’s been very kind of Teesside businesspeople to award us the 2026 Teesside Business restaurant of the year.”
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