Veteran stage producer Michael Codron has been awarded a knighthood in the New Year honours for services to the theatre.

Eighty-two-year-old Sir Michael is the West End's longest-serving producer and a leading influence in post-war British drama. He is the owner of the Aldwych Theatre, and a former leading figure at the National Theatre and the Hampstead Theatre.

He is most famous for the risk he took, 52 years ago, on a then virtually unknown playwright called Harold Pinter, who had a play called The Birthday Party. Codron once told the JC that it was “our mutual Jewishness” that helped him recognise the play's and Pinter's worth.

Sir Michael, who received the Laurence Olivier lifetime achievement award, has put on more than 200 shows since he started producing in 1956. He is honourary vice-president of the Society of London Theatre.

Also receiving an honour is David Bernstein, former chair of the Football Association, who was awarded with a CBE for services to the sport.

The former chairman of Manchester City, 70, once revealed to the JC that in 1956, when Manchester City beat Birmingham 3-1 to win the FA Cup, he watched the game on TV despite it being the afternoon of his barmitzvah.

Hertfordshire-based businessman Robert Voss, the founder and managing director of metal traders Voss International, which operates in more than 65 countries, received a CBE for services to British industry and voluntary services to the UK. The Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue-member, a leading authority on metal, co-judged the JC Young Entrepreneurs Challenge this year.

Writer Anthony Horowitz, 58, received an OBE for services to literature. The best-selling author and screenwriter has sold over 16 million books during his 34-year-old career - his most recent best-seller being the Sherlock Holmes story House of Silk. His popular Alex Rider children’s spy series is now a successful film franchise.

American-born Rabbi Mark Winer said he was “humbled and thrilled” to receive a MBE for services to interfaith dialogue and social cohesion in the UK. The former senior rabbi at West London Synagogue is believed to be the first American rabbi to receive an MBE.

Councillor Alan Weinberg received a MBE for services to education and the Redbridge community. Cllr Weinberg is the chair of governors at the Beal High School in Ilford.

Philip Brandeis, the founder of Chaverim in Salford, received a BEM for services to children and young people.

Israel-born Zeev Aram received an OBE for services to design and architecture. The Wimbledon-based businessman moved to London in 1957 and opened his King’s Road showroom in 1964.

Jews were also recognised on the diplomatic and overseas honours list. Isaac Jehuda Schapira received an OBE for services to British interests and charitable work in Israel.

Harry Shindler, a community volunteer in Rome, received a MBE for services to British veterans and to the community in Italy.