Look who’s made it in latest Who’s Who

FOUR Oldhamers are among 1,000 new names in the 2012 edition of “Who’s Who”.

Inclusion in the world-famous reference book containing potted biographies of 33,000 of some of the most celebrated, talented and influential people in Britain and elsewhere — is by invitation-only, making it an accolade for newcomers.

Among the new entrants were Andrew Shore (59), an Oldham-born operatic baritone who was educated at the former Counthill Grammar School.

Mr Shore is a major british figure in the world of opera, and a highly-regarded character-singer.

He trained at the Royal Northern College of Music and was a member of Oldham Theatre Workshop in his youth. He starred in BBC Four series “The Genius of Mozart” and has taken acclaimed roles in Wagner’s “The Rhinegold” and the title role in Verdi’s last work “Falstaff”.

Joining him in the directory is Oldham-born Alison Platt (49) who is the London-based BUPA chief.

Ms Platt spent 11 years in BUPA’s UK insurance business, including as deputy managing director, and became chief operating officer at BUPA Hospitals, before its sale in 2007.

She took up her current role as divisional managing director responsible for Europe and North America in 2009. She has previously held a number of key positions in British Airways. Her entry lists recreations as reading, running and watching football. Oldham-born Howard Shaw (63), now a London-based QC, also makes the list. He was educated at Hulme Grammar School and lists his recreations as theatre, travel, reading and sport.

They are joined by former world motor-racing champion, Jenson Button, England manager Fabio Capello, Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish and chef Michel Roux, also making their first appearance in “Who’s Who”.

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams makes up the quartet after being elected to serve the constituency in January.

The Labour MP has been appointed as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham.

Mrs Abrahams was a public health specialist for 18 years before being elected and has worked as the Director of the Public Health research unit at the University of Liverpool as well as chairman of Rochdale Primary Care NHS Trust between 2002 and 2006.

A Newhey resident for 24 years, the mother-of-two was born in Sheffield and is married to John Abrahams, a former captain of Lancashire Cricket Club.

The 2012 edition of Who’s Who is published by A & C Black at £225.