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New Year Honours List 2026: High Awards (HTML)

Published 29 December 2025

DAME COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF THE BATH (DCB)

SARAH CLARKE CVO OBE

The first woman to hold the office of the usher of the Black Rod in its 670-year history, she served at a total of six State Openings of Parliament including the State Openings in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic and the first occasion on which His Majesty King Charles III opened Parliament as Monarch in 2023. She executed the duties of her office during the parliamentary and ceremonial events subsequent to the demise of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. As Parliament’s Chair for business continuity and resilience, she worked to ensure the smooth running of Parliament through the COVID-19 lockdowns. Her seamless delivery during the turbulent and unprecedented times she faced while in post have made an indelible contribution to the role of Black Rod and the life of the nation.

DAME COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (DBE)

SARAH LILIAN ANDERSON CBE (to be dated 5 December 2025)

After 37 years as a Samaritans volunteer, including three years as Director of the Central London Branch, she established The Listening Place (TLP) in 2015. TLP offers free, sustained, face-to-face support by appointment to individuals contemplating suicide. Since 2016, TLP has recruited and trained 2000 volunteers through an in-house program to provide confidential face-to-face assistance. Since its inception, TLP has received approximately 40,000 referrals. She has also contributed to numerous public bodies and governmental task forces, primarily focusing on better regulation and human rights, and led an independent Government review on regulatory guidance, “the Anderson Review,” from 2008-2009. From 2011 to 2014, she served on the board of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

PROFESSOR POLINA BAYVEL CBE FREng FRS

She is a global visionary with groundbreaking contributions to optical fibre communications and optical network design. Her pioneering research has significantly expanded the capacity and speed of transmission across global networks, profoundly impacting the telecommunications industries. Her innovations have been widely adopted, demonstrating influence on a global scale. She founded and heads the Optical Networks Group at UCL which remains at the forefront of innovation in optical communications and networks. In 2023, she was awarded the Royal Society Rumford Medal for her contributions to physics and nonlinear optics, enabling high-capacity, broad-bandwidth, multi-wavelength optical communication systems. She is the first woman to receive this prestigious medal since its inception in 1800. She is a role model for all aspiring engineers, including young girls.

PROFESSOR SONIA BLANDFORD

She is the founder and former CEO of Achievement for All 3As, transforming countless young lives through partnerships with schools, colleges and the Department for Education. She spearheaded the “200 million minutes reading challenge’’ inspiring 15,000 children to read. She was one of four European experts for the European Commission contributing to a pan European policy on improving teacher professional development. She was one of the Bologna Agreement committee chairs responsible for aligning master’s qualifications across Europe. She founded and advised 10 charities, including Teach First, where she was responsible for creating a master’s programme, secured a National Initial Teacher Training Partnership contract and led partnerships with 14 universities, thus making her mark as an influential and well known individual promoting the cause of social mobility.

PROFESSOR WENDY CARLIN CBE FBA

A professor at University College London since 2002, she holds many notable positions within economics and academia, including as Research Fellow at the Centre for Economic Policy Research, Fellow of the British Academy and Overseas Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Her research is wide-ranging, including on institutions and economic performance and transition economics. Her most recent book integrates the theme of economic inequality and how it impacts inflation, unemployment and the constraints on economic policymaking. Described by her peers as a “pedagogical tour de force” and co-author of the first macroeconomics textbook to place inequality at the heart of its analysis, Carlin is widely considered a leading figure in economic academia. As a founder and now Director of Curriculum Open-access Resources in Economics (CORE), Carlin’s dedication to ensuring an economics education is accessible to all is exemplified by CORE’s provision of open-source teaching materials at no cost. This has made a substantial difference to students of economics worldwide, with over 500 universities using CORE materials globally. In 2024 she was also elected the first female vice-president of the International Economic Association, inspiring future generations of female economists.

JAYNE CHRISTENSEN (Jayne Torvill) OBE

Jayne started ice skating from the young age of 8 years old. Jayne and her professional skating partner of 50 years, Christopher Dean, won a gold medal in the 1984 Winter Olympics followed by a bronze medal in the 1994 Winter Olympics, they were also four-time world and European champions and seven-time British champions. 2024 marked the 40th anniversary of their historic Bolero performance in Sarajevo, which forever changed the landscape of ice skating. Jayne is patron of two Nottingham charities; the Radford Care Group and Switch Up, where she provides care for the elderly, supports those with dementia, and empowers young individuals through sport. Together, Jayne and Christopher are also long-term supporters of Demelza Hospice Care for Children and Variety, the Children’s Charity.

PROFESSOR LORNA ANNE DAWSON CBE FRSE

She is a pioneer in the international development and global adoption of forensic soil science over two decades, especially in earth sciences. Establishing the Centre for Forensic Soil Science at the James Hutton Institute, her work has directly impacted on the outcomes of major court trials, working with Interpol, the British Security Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Her unique role in the development of soil fingerprinting techniques on the discipline of forensic soil science within the criminal justice system has contributed to the global uptake of these related policies, strategies and improved approaches. Her contribution to greater understanding of soil: specifically understanding of single cell approaches and the microbiome, the environment and agriculture, has made an enormous contribution to education and motivating others at all levels globally.

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE DOCTOR ANNELIESE DODDS MP

She has been the Member of Parliament for Oxford East since 2017 and was a Member of the European Parliament for South East England from 2014 to 2017. She served in Opposition as Chair of the Labour Party from 2021 to 2024, leading on organisational and strategic priorities in the run up to the 2024 General Election. During this time, she was Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities. Other offices she has held include Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer from April 2020 to May 2021, being the first woman to hold the position, as well as Minister of State for Development and Minister of State for Women and Equalities from July 2024 to February 2025. Bringing a breadth of policy expertise to Parliament, she has taken leading roles in financial service regulation and taxation.

DR CAROL HOMDEN CBE

She has been Chief Executive of the Thomas Coram Foundation for Children (Coram) since 2007. Since then she has been the driving force behind the delivery and evolution of the Coram group’s contribution to supporting children, young people and families. Her mission is that all children, particularly the most vulnerable should thrive. In this, she personifies the principles of Thomas Coram who founded the charity 300 years ago. Her relentless pursuit of innovation spans adoption and fostering activity days, sibling contact, young ambassador and youth insight programmes to get young voices heard. She has developed the Coram Institute for Children, the first of its kind, which will be instrumental in realising this vision by acting as a catalyst for change by seeking evidenced solutions to the challenges children face in the 21st century across policy, law and practice.

DR SUZANNAH CLAIRE LISHMAN CBE

As President of the Royal College of Pathologists she set up National Pathology Week and International Pathology Day to increase public engagement with pathology. She has been instrumental in the introduction of the Medical Examiner system in England and Wales to improve death certification, communication with bereaved families and collation of accurate statistics to inform health policy. As President of the Association of Clinical Pathologists she continued to promote pathology through education and set up and led the new public engagement arm of the Pathology Alliance enabling multiple stakeholder organisations to work together. As Chair of the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD), she has led the improvement of care for patients through reports that shape clinical practice, influence guidelines and policy, and drive quality improvement across all areas of healthcare.

AMANDA KATE PRITCHARD

As Chief Executive Officer of NHS England, she led the merger of three national bodies, NHS England, NHS Digital and Health Education England reducing headcount by 35% and releasing c£500 million to be re-invested in the frontline. She oversaw the introduction of 42 Integrated Care Boards, produced the first ever NHS Long Term Workforce Plan and doubled the number of community diagnostic centres. Having led the NHS operationally through COVID, she began its recovery through eliminating two year waits for elective care, increasing mental health support, improving cancer performance and expanding access to urgent care, including through virtual wards and community rapid response.  She advocated the use of data, technology and AI to improve productivity and patient experience, including for cancer screening, in primary care and for research. Her leadership and innovative approach has dramatically improved the efficiency and productivity of the NHS since COVID.

DR FIONA ELIZABETH RAYMENT OBE FREng FRSE

She is internationally renowned for her outstanding leadership, pioneering innovation and unrivalled expertise in the global nuclear sector. With strong links to government, national laboratories and commercial organisations worldwide, she has played a crucial role in shaping engineering approaches and innovation for the nuclear sector. In providing scientific and engineering leadership at the highest level, she is highly valued by research communities both nationally and internationally. Now the President of the Nuclear Institute, she has been an outstanding champion for a new and more diverse generation of nuclear skills. She has mentored countless women into STEM careers, dedicated hundreds of hours in engaging young people, been a tireless advocate for social mobility and LGBTQ+ inclusion and is a leading role model in the nuclear and engineering communities.

MEERA SYAL CBE

An acclaimed actress and author, Meera Syal CBE has been a trailblazer for representation and opportunity within the entertainment industry. Born in Wolverhampton, her literary works, which include her first novel Anita And Me (now part of the UK schools curriculum), have been adapted for film and TV, reflecting her desire to create complex characters. Her prolific career spans film, TV, and theatre, with notable roles in Goodness Gracious Me, The Kumars at Number 42, The Wheel Of Time and The Split. On stage, she has played diverse roles, from the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet, Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing to Miss Hannigan in Annie. Recognised at the highest level, she was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2017 and received the BAFTA Fellowship in 2023, where she advocated for “untold stories”. She was made a Fellow of Murray Edwards College, Cambridge University in 2025. She also received Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Women in Film & Television Awards and the Asian Media Awards in 2023.

PROFESSOR MEENA UPADHYAYA OBE

She is a visible champion of racial equality, community cohesion and in particular for black, Asian and ethnic minority women in Wales. She became a passionate advocate for community relations despite facing tragedy soon after arriving in the UK, navigating life as a single mother while building a new career & family. Her journey, marked by resilience and purpose, was featured in a 30-minute ITV Wales programme. She retired from Cardiff University in July 2014 after a notable career in genetics, continuing as Honorary Distinguished Professor until 2023 and then as Professor Emerita. Rejecting traditional retirement she expanded her work in community cohesion. She founded the Ethnic Minority Welsh Women Achievement Association in 2011. From 2020 to 2024, she served as a Non-executive Director on the Welsh Government Board & helped shape the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan as part of its Race Equality steering group. In 2024, she co-founded and co-chaired the Ethnic Minority Professors at Welsh Universities, launched at the Senedd in January 2025. In 2023, she initiated an international collaboration that produced essays on Women in Neurofibromatosis (NF1), emphasising diversity and inclusion in biomedical research. She organised the first International Conference on RASopathies & NF1 in Asia, held in India in 2017.

KNIGHTS BACHELOR

PROFESSOR CEDRIC NISHAN CANAGARAJAH

The first minority ethnic Vice-Chancellor in a century at the University of Leicester, where he led one of the most diverse universities in the country, with 38% of students coming from the most disadvantaged areas and 69% from minority ethnic backgrounds​. He established the first Into University centre in Leicester, securing significant philanthropic funding, and supporting 1000 disadvantaged youths. He appointed the University’s first female Chancellor and created an inclusive team with two female Deputy Vice-Chancellors. He established a Civic Universities Partnership, securing over £3m for local community projects and as a leader of a University of Sanctuary supported refugees and Ukrainian and Palestinian academics. His achievements are reflected in the fact that the University received three University of the Year accolades, achieving Teaching Excellence Framework Gold and top 30 in the Research Excellence Framework. He has taken on national roles to contribute to Higher Education as Chair of the Conversation, Chair of UCEA Board and a member of the UUK Board.

ROY CLARKE OBE

He is the world’s most prolific solo TV sitcom writer, with a 50-year BBC career. He wrote nearly 300 episodes of Last of the Summer Wine, the UK’s longest-running TV comedy, which reached 18 million viewers. He also penned Open All Hours and Keeping Up Appearances, demonstrating his versatility. Still writing into his 90s, Clarke is a unique figure in British comedy, pioneering the depiction of northern English life and significantly boosting Yorkshire towns like Holmfirth and Doncaster.

CHRISTOPHER COLIN DEAN OBE

He started ice skating from the young age of 10 years old. Chris and his professional skating partner of 50 years, Jayne Christensen, won a gold medal in the 1984 Winter Olympics followed by a bronze medal in the 1994 Winter Olympics, they were also four-time world and European champions and seven-time British champions. 2024 marked the 40th anniversary of their historic Bolero performance in Sarajevo, which forever changed the landscape of ice skating. Chris is patron of two Nottingham charities; the Radford Care Group and Switch Up, where he provides care for the elderly, supports those with dementia, and empowers young individuals through sport. Together, Christopher and Jayne are also long-term supporters of Demelza Hospice Care for Children and Variety, the Children’s Charity.

IDRISSA AKUNA ELBA OBE

He is recognised for his exceptional contributions to entertainment and tireless efforts in youth empowerment and social justice. He champions the ‘Don’t Stop Your Future’ campaign against youth violence and knife crime, having launched the DSYF clothing brand in 2019, released the single ‘Knives Down’ in 2024, and co-launched the Don’t Stop Your Future Youth Tour in 2025. As co-founder of the Elba Hope Foundation, an alumnus and then a supporter of The King’s Trust, he co-created the Creative Futures project, providing vocational training in the arts for disadvantaged youth. His advocacy and initiatives have significantly impacted global audiences and local communities.

RICHARD DAVID HARPIN

The founder and former Chief Executive of HomeServe, he has become one of the UK’s top entrepreneurs, employing 9,000 people in the £4.1bn company headquartered in the West Midlands. Over 30 years he has worked to professionalise the membership, marketing, tours and operations teams of the Conservative Party Campaign Headquarters, with a particular focus on developing teams outside of London in the North of England. In 2023 he co-wrote the scale-up white paper and worked with government to increase apprenticeships, and advised how other businesses could do the same. Using the same model he developed through the HomeServe Foundation, he focused on helping people get key skills training and then into work.

DR TRISTRAM JULIAN WILLIAM HUNT

He is recognised for his extensive public service and contributions to heritage and culture. As Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum since 2017, he has championed innovative exhibitions and expanded the museum’s global reach, including the establishment of V&A East. Prior to this, he served as the Labour Member of Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent Central from 2010 to 2017, where he was a vocal advocate for education and urban regeneration. A distinguished historian, he was previously a senior lecturer at Queen Mary University of London, specialising in Victorian urban history and political thought. His acclaimed publications include biographies and works on the history of cities. He has also been a prominent broadcaster and journalist, contributing to national discussions on history, politics, and the arts. His leadership has significantly enriched the cultural landscape and fostered greater public engagement with the arts and humanities.

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ADAM PATERSON INGRAM

Having served as a local councillor and later Council Leader on East Kilbride District Council from 1984 to 1987, he was first elected to the House of Commons as the Member of Parliament for East Kilbride, (later East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahgow) in 1987, serving until 2010. He has held a number of key posts including Minister of State for Security in Northern Ireland where he played a key part in the negotiations that led to the Good Friday Agreement and remained a part of delivering the agreement in the following three years. Following the 2001 General Election, he was appointed Minister of State for the Armed Forces and held the post until 2007, becoming longest-serving defence minister in UK history. Since standing down in 2010, he has served voluntarily as Chair of East Kilbride Labour Party. He is a Trustee of Kilbryde Hospice and Sense Scotland and is Honorary President of East Kilbride Sea Cadets and President of the East Kilbride Branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland.

PROFESSOR SIMON STEPHEN MILNE MBE

As Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), he has transformed the organisation into a world leader in botanical science, conservation and horticulture. He has increased the Garden’s profile significantly around the world, and delivered great scientific impact in the areas of biodiversity loss and the climate emergency, driving a major seven year refurbishment project which is ensuring a secure future for vital research and plant health at RBGE. Under his leadership, RBGE ranks in the world’s top four botanic gardens. He has invested heavily in building new collaborative global partnerships and working with heads of state, ambassadors and ministers he has championed plant conservation as a ‘safe topic’ enabler to support wider international diplomacy for the UK.

JOHN PATRICK ROBINS QPM DL

Leading a large portfolio of UK policing responsibilities, as head of the National Police Air Service (24 aircraft, 15 bases, c.300 staff), his tenacity has taken it from an ineffective service to put it on a solid operational and financial footing in a complex, high risk and expensive area (annual revenue budget £52m, capital budget averages £11m). He has ensured this safety critical policing capability has been maintained throughout difficult negotiations on its future, securing investment for 7 new helicopters. Leading the 4th largest force in the UK, he manages some of the most complex and high-harm criminality areas in policing. He commissioned development of investigations to identify and support victims of non-recent child sexual exploitation and abuse. He continues to drive national partnership with education through ‘Pol-Ed’ and its free comprehensive custom resources and programmes provided to schools. He has shown strong support for the National Association of Muslim Police and WYP’s Religion and Belief policy was shared with other forces.

DAVID NEIL ROBINSON OBE

He has earned recognition as a transformative leader in the community sector, with fifty years of dedication to social innovation. He chaired the world’s first SIB-funded scheme in Peterborough, and its success is a testament to his innovative approach to social change.   Beyond his policy work his passion for helping disadvantaged children is seen in his work as Co-founder of the Discover Children’s Story Centre, the UKs first dedicated children’s story space.  The Centre promotes creativity and literacy for over 10,000 children and their families each year. He also co-founded Community Links, the multipurpose charity in east London. His drive for creative social change led him to establish We Are What We Do (later known as Shift) a movement that inspired global action through everyday behaviours. Over a million copies of the organisation’s bestselling “Change the World for a Fiver” book were published across the world and their “I’m not a plastic bag” campaign with Anya Hindmarch ignited a cultural shift that contributed to the UK’s decision to charge for plastic bags. His ongoing impact on social issues is further evident in his current role as Co-Lead of the Relationships Project which he founded in 2018 and where he focuses on improving the quality of relationships to drive social change. Here he is currently  leading a cross sector partnership developing the pioneering Relational Practice Academy. He has authored several influential policy papers and books and held prestigious academic positions.

DR STEVE TAYLOR

He is the CEO of Cabot Learning Federation (CLF). He holds an Honorary Doctorate in Education, is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, a trained Lead Ofsted Inspector, and National Leader of Education. Under his leadership, CLF has transformed schools in East Central Bristol, once among the most underperforming areas, into thriving learning communities. CLF expanded from 12 to 35 schools across the South West, securing high standards in Ofsted and performance outcomes. He is a founder member and Chair of the Queen Street Group, a national organisation of trusts who promote sector collaboration and professional development of senior leaders, while acting as a sounding board for government and policy makers. He launched the Boolean Maths Hub and established the Five Counties Teaching School Hubs Alliance, creating partnerships to tackle educational inequity by driving school improvement across 750 schools and providing outstanding initial teacher training to the southwest region.