Edinburgh wealth manager’s Serbian champion honoured in Queen’s birthday list

Wealth manager Charles Stanley has revealed that Louise Miller, the head of client services at its Edinburgh-based direct-to-consumer service arm, Charles Stanley Direct, has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to UK-Serbian relations in the Queen’s 90th birthday honours list.

It is the latest recognition for Ms Miller after she received the Serbian Order of Merit last February from President Tomislav Nikolic, in a ceremony at the Balkan nation’s Presidential Palace in Belgrade.

For the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, Ms Miller was listed in the “Diplomatic Service and Overseas List” (Civil Division) of the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood and so is now the proud owner of two state medals.

Back in 2012, Ms Miller championed the Charles Stanley Edinburgh Office’s sponsorship of Heriot’s Rugby Club as they toured Serbia to compete in a seven-a-side tournament that celebrated the remarkable accomplishments of a group of Serbian refugee boys.

The refugee boys arrived in Edinburgh having escaped certain internment having travelled across the mountains of Albania and Montenegro during the First World War and were given places at the prestigious George Heriot’s School where they excelled having learned English from scratch.

They went on to excel in both rugby and their studies and it was a lifetime experience that they never forgot – some were even buried with their school ties on many years later, such was the impact. A truly remarkable story and something that Louise highlighted through her work to host a rugby tour, sponsored by Charles Stanley, to honour the refugees.

She then became a published author in 2014 with, “A Fine Brother: the Life of Captain Flora Sandes”, which depicts the true story of the only woman to serve as a soldier in the First World War. The Englishwoman, Flora Sandes, became a hero and media sensation when she fought for the Serbian Army and pursued a distinguished career in its ranks as an officer.

Magnus Wheatley, managing director of Charles Stanley Direct, said: “This is outstanding recognition for Louise. She has been working tirelessly in her spare time with the British embassy in Belgrade for a great number of years and we believe that it is they who proposed her for the British Empire Medal in agreement with the Serbian Government. Louise was completely shocked and humbled but she can now book a date for the official ceremony and garden party at Buckingham Palace with her husband and son next year. We are all incredibly proud of her not only within Charles Stanley Direct but also the wider Charles Stanley Group and she has been humbled by the messages of congratulations from around the company – congratulations Louise!”