Press release

The New Year Honours list 2019

The New Year Honours list recognises the achievements of a wide range of extraordinary people across the United Kingdom.

The New Year Honours list 2019, published on Saturday 29 December, recognises the outstanding achievements of people across the United Kingdom.

Awards include a damehood for model, actress and singer Lesley Lawson (aka Twiggy); a knighthood for record breaking cricketer Alastair Cook following his retirement from international cricket; a knighthood for award-winning author Philip Pullman, for services to literature; a knighthood for Dr Jeremy Farrar, Director of the Wellcome Trust; CBE for award winning actress Sophie Okonedo; a CBE for musician Nicola Benedetti; a CBE for children’s author Julia Donaldson; a CBE for journalist Chris Packham; an OBE for Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas; an MBE for Paralympic Head Coach Paula Dunn; and following England’s successful World Cup run in the Summer, an OBE for England Football manager Gareth Southgate; and an MBE for captain Harry Kane.

This honours list continues to demonstrate the breadth of service given by people from all backgrounds from all across the UK.

In total 1,148 people have received an award:

  • 1018 candidates have been selected at BEM, MBE and OBE level: 358 at BEM, 422 at MBE and 238 at OBE;

  • 70% of the recipients are people who have undertaken outstanding work in their communities either in a voluntary or paid capacity;

  • 544 women are recognised in the list, representing 47% of the total;

  • 12% of the successful candidates come from a BAME background;

  • 4% of the successful candidates consider themselves to have a disability (under the Equality Act 2010);

  • and 5% of recipients identify as being LGBT.

This list highlights a range of extraordinary responses to a number of significant and traumatic events - honouring those who have overcome personal loss, helped rebuild communities and whose expertise and dedication showcase the very best of the UK.

A total of 43 awards go to those involved in the response to the major terrorist incidents of 2017, building on the gallantry awards announced in July. Awards include an OBE for Paul Woodrow, Director of Operations at the London Ambulance Service; an OBE for Joy Ongcachuy, a theatre nurse at Barts Hospital; and a BEM for Theresa Lam, the Family Liaison Lead for Greater Manchester Police. There are a number of awards for police officers nominated following a significant process undertaken jointly by the Greater Manchester, Metropolitan and

City of London Police Forces to identify the most exceptional contributions from among those already recognised with Queen’s Police Medals.

In addition, an OBE goes to Mark Prince for tackling knife and gang crime in London; a BEM for 28 year old Stephen Addison, who set up boxing classes to channel young people’s energy away from crime; and a BEM for Cheryl Johnson, who set up the charity Remember My Baby in response to personal loss.

Civilian Gallantry List

This list also coincides with the publication of 12 civilian gallantry awards, which have been awarded to those who have demonstrated exceptional bravery - putting themselves in danger to protect others.

The George Medal has been awarded to Richard Stanton MBE and John Volanthen and the Queen’s Gallantry Medal goes to Christopher Jewell and Jason Mallinson, for their remarkable efforts in the rescue of 12 junior footballers and their coach, trapped in a cave in Thailand.

Seven firefighters from Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service also receive Queen’s Gallantry Medals, for their exceptional bravery in rescuing elderly and vulnerable residents from a serious fire in a 2017.

The Queen’s Commendation for Bravery goes to 14-year-old Joe Rowlands, who saved his father from drowning following a kayaking accident in February 2018.

Overview

The Prime Minister provided a strategic steer to the Main Honours Committee that the honours system should support children and young people to achieve their potential, enhance life opportunities, remove barriers to success and work to tackle discrimination.

Women

A number of prominent women are being recognised on the New Years Honours list, including a damehood for Professor Louise Robinson, Director of the Newcastle Institute for Ageing, a damehood for Marianne Griffiths, CEO of the Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and a CBE for Dr Helen Pankhurst, senior adviser at CARE International for services to gender and equality.

Local Communities

In total, 70% of awards in the New Year Honours list will go to people who have undertaken outstanding work in or for their local community. Awards include:

  • an MBE for Denis Rogers, who has used his own past experience to become a role model for homeless people;

  • an MBE for Tariq Mahmood Dar, for his work with the community in Brent, London;

  • an MBE for David Morgan, for his tireless work with the Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Rural Support Group;

  • a BEM for Catherine Watkins for her work in creating the award winning charity Vale Parent Child Homework Support Club (VPC) in Rhoose, Vale of Glamorgan.

Supporting Children and Young People

Around 9% of honours are for work in education. The Honours Education Committee has recommended a damehood for Professor Madeleine Atkins, the former CEO of the Higher Education Funding Council. Other senior awards in education include a CBE for Dr Margaret Wilson, Headteacher at the King John School, Essex; Ruth Miskin, creator of the Read Write phonics programme. There is also an MBE for Andrai Zafirakou, Associate Deputy Head, Alperton Community School and 2018 Global Teacher Prize winner.

Economic Activity

Industry and the economy make up 10% of this honours list. The Economy Committee has recommended Damehoods for Jayne-Anne Gadhia, Chief Executive Officer, Virgin Money, for services to financial services and women in the financial services; an OBE for Nicola Yates , Senior Vice President, Europe Pharmaceuticals, GSK, for services to Women in Business and Workplace Equality; OBEs for entrepreneurs Tom Blomfield, the founder and CEO of Monzo; Paul Lindley, Founder of Ella’s kitchen and an MBE for Amali De Alwis, CEO of Code First Girls.

Read the full New Year Honours list and find out more about how to nominate someone for an award.

Published 28 December 2018