Mr Cann, who suffered a major stroke seven years ago, received the award for services to the local community, particularly stroke charities.

He was among more than a dozen people connected to financial services who were honoured including former Royal Bank of Scotland chief executive Ross McEwan.

The Institute of Financial Planning, the original UK provider of the Certified Financial Planner designation in the UK, merged with the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment in 2015.

Mr Nick Cann, 56, has supported local charities and community groups since suffering a stroke, which caused aphasia - a major loss  of speech, as he was lecturing students in Northampton about careers in Financial Planning.

Since his illness he was been a tireless fund raiser and has raised £120,000 for Monmouthshire Aphasia Phoenix Project and the Strike a Chord choir in Cwmbran. He has also spoken, with the help of slides and music, at a number of financial services events about life since his stroke.

Mr Cann, who lives in Monmouthshire, is still recovering from his stroke and continues to be supported by the Stroke Recovery team at the Stroke Wales Association in Caerphilly. 

He said: “I am honoured and grateful to receive the British Empire Medal. I could not have done it without my wife, Jo, and my three children Jemma, Rhys and B

Other award winners included:

• Former Royal Bank of Scotland chief executive, and current chief executive of National Australia Bank Ross McEwan, who was made CBE. 
• Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens' Advice, made CBE.
• Alison Jane Brenchley. Group director Nationwide Building Society. Made OBE for services to financial services and to diversity.
• Maj Kim Elizabeth Humberstone. Deputy director Financial Reporting and Control, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. For public service and for services to Young People through the Army Cadet Force. Made OBE.
• Saker Nusseibeh, chief executive of Hermes Investment Management, who was made CBE for services to responsible business and to the financial sector. 
• Katharine Braddick. Director general Financial Services at HM Treasury. For services to financial services and EU Negotiations. Made CB.
• Robert Arthur Whiteman. Chief executive Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. For services to public sector financial management. Made CBE.
• Richard Teuten. Former head of International Financial Institutions Department Department for International Development. For services to International Development. (London). Made OBE.
• Caroline Domanski. Chief executive at No1 Copperpot Credit Union. For services to Financial Inclusion. (Cheshire). Made MBE.
• Roy Christopher Lewis. For services to Financial Inclusion. (West Midlands). Made MBE.
• Teresa Manning. Chief executive at Clockwise Credit Union. For services to financial inclusion, to the credit union movement and to the community in Leicestershire. Made MBE.
• Paul Andrew Smyth. For services to disability inclusion and to financial services. Made MBE.
• Peter Curwen. Former director economic and financial affairs UK Representation to the European Union, Foreign and Commonwealth Office. For services to British foreign policy. Made CMG.
• Dr N Analdo Bailey. For services to the banking and financial sector. Made MBE.