Rochdale-born businesswoman honoured with King’s CBE award

Managing director and co-founder of GGR Group, Gill Riley, has been awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2025 King’s New Year’s Honours List in recognition of her services to the lifting industry.

The official appointment will be marked with an investiture ceremony later in 2025. 

This CBE follows Gill’s award of the OBE for services to construction in 2015; since then Gill has continued to drive innovation and excellence within the construction industry.

Gill, who grew up on Falcon Close, Norden and was educated at the former Bishop Henshaw RC High School, co-founded GGR Group in 1995 with her brother Graeme, with a vision to bring innovative lifting solutions to the UK market. 

Over the past three decades, she has transformed the business from a small family-run operation with an initial £5,000 investment into a £37 million industry leader in compact crane and lifting equipment. 

Today, GGR Group employs over 150 staff members across three depots in Oldham, Haddenham, and Glasgow, providing specialist solutions to construction, glazing, and other industries.

The CBE is a testament to her relentless drive, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to advancing industry standards while championing sustainability and safety in construction and engineering. 

Beyond her professional achievements, Gill is also celebrated for her efforts to inspire and mentor the next generation of industry leaders, encouraging innovation and gender diversity within traditionally male-dominated sectors.

Speaking about her award, Gill Riley said: "I am truly humbled and honoured to receive the King's CBE. 

"This recognition is not just a personal achievement, but a reflection of the dedication and hard work of everyone at GGR Group. 

“Together, we've built something special, and I look forward to continuing our journey of innovation, excellence, and growth together”.

GGR Group is a provider of specialist lifting solutions, offering over 1,000 products, including UNIC mini spider cranes, compact pick-and-carry cranes, and vacuum lifting equipment, serving a diverse range of customers across the construction sector. 

Over the years, Gill and her business partner and brother Graeme, have explored global markets to be the first to bring ground-breaking lifting technology to the UK. 

Their forward-thinking approach has identified opportunities to revolutionise construction practices, introducing innovative solutions that enhance safety, efficiency, and performance on some of the UK’s biggest infrastructure projects. 

By investing in cutting-edge equipment and pioneering accredited training programs, Gill has driven transformative change across the industry, setting new benchmarks for specialist lifting equipment and safety standards.

One of the greatest challenges Gill has faced in her career is breaking through barriers in a male-dominated industry. 

As one of the few female managing directors in the construction equipment sector, she has worked tirelessly to overcome bias and earn the recognition her expertise and achievements deserve. 

Her impact on the industry is not defined by her gender but by her relentless commitment to raising safety standards and driving innovation, earning her widespread respect and success in the construction plant equipment sector.

This prestigious accolade celebrates Gill’s remarkable achievements and the lasting impact she has made on both the construction sector and the wider lifting community.