Richard Soper, chief executive officer of Bosch Thermotechnology, which incorporates the Worcester, Bosch Group brand, has received a CBE from the Queen in this year's Queen's Birthday Honour's List.

Soper began his career in the heating industry as an apprentice gas engineer, gaining practical experience which provided an important insight into the needs of the installer. He then moved into sales and marketing before joining Worcester Engineering (as it was then known) in 1977, finally becoming managing director, a position he held for over 10 years.  In 2011, Soper became chief executive officer and Carl Arntzen took up the role of managing director.

He has been influential in the development of many products, including the combination boiler and the high-efficiency condensing boiler. In recent years, Soper has overseen the expansion of the company's product range to include many renewable technologies such as heat pumps and solar thermal technology.

Over the years, Soper has been heavily connected in the heating industry as a whole. He was involved with the SBGI, holds the position of a past President of the CIPHE and also is an active member of the CPA.