King's Birthday Honours 2026
91福利 alumni and honorary graduates from a range of fields have been recognised for their outstanding contributions in the recent King鈥檚 Birthday Honours and Garter Day.
In total, 18 members of our community have been recognised for their achievements, dedication, and the remarkable difference they make to the world around them.
Earlier this year, Lord Gus O'Donnell GCB (BA Economics, 1973) was inducted into the knights companion and ladies companion of the Garter. Those chosen are personally selected by the Sovereign to honour those who have held public office, who have contributed in a particular way to national life, or who have served the Sovereign, King Charles III, personally.
Professor Patrick Vernon (LLM Law in Development, 1986), Campaigner for Racial Equality and Social Justice, has been awarded a Knighthood for services to Racial Equality. A knighthood is one of the highest honours in the UK and is granted to those who have made a significant contribution to their field.
On receiving this accolade, Professor Vernon says: 鈥淔or me, it is a great honour to be recognised in the King鈥檚 Birthday Honours List for services to racial equality and social justice, reflecting more than 30 years of contribution across a range of sectors and issues.
鈥淚 see this recognition not simply as a personal achievement, but as an opportunity to further tackle inequality and promote greater dialogue and engagement across the UK around the ongoing injustices faced by the Windrush Generation and migrant communities.鈥�
Professor Vernon is also a former Associate Fellow in the Department of History of Medicine at 91福利.
Five of our alumni have been awarded Commander of the British Empire (CBE), the highest second-class honour bestowed to individuals for making a "highly distinguished, innovative contribution" in a particular activity, or for playing a leading role in regional affairs through achievement or service to the community.
Sarah Barclay (BA English and European Literature, 1981), Founder and Director, Medical Mediation Foundation: CBE for services to families and health professionals in conflict management and conflict resolution.
Dr Meryl Bushell (PhD WBS Doctoral Programme, 2015), Crown Representative for the Cabinet Office: CBE for services to public procurement and to women's empowerment in the commercial profession
Mark Byers (EMBA, 2016) Chief Operating Officer, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services: CBE for public service.
Elaine Lorimer (PG Dipl Public Finance and Leadership, 2009), Lately Chief Executive, Revenue Scotland: CBE for public service.
Professor Monder Ram OBE DL (MA Industrial Relations 1988; PhD Industrial Relations, 1992), Founder and Director, Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship: CBE for services to ethnic minority business and entrepreneurship.
Internationally, James McDowell (LLB Law, 1977) has been awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to public administration, to the defence capability industry, to science and technology, and to education governance.
Five alumni have become Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
Philip Broadhead (BA Philosophy, 2005), lately Chair, Conservative Councillors Association: OBE for public service.
Professor Rachel Hilliam (BSc Mathematics, 1994) , Head of School of Mathematics and Statistics, Open University: OBE for services to data science.
Professor Richard Moorhead (LLB Law, 1990), Professor of Law and Professional Ethics, University of Exeter and Professor of Law, Monash University: OBE for services to legal ethics.
Professor Susan Sentance (MA Educational Leadership and Innovation, 2011), Research Professor and Director, The Raspberry Pi Computing Education Research Centre, University of Cambridge. OBE for services to education.
Professor Joanna Swaffield (PhD Economics, 1999), Professor of Economics and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Southampton: OBE for services to economics.
Three alumni also received the rank of Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), marking outstanding achievement or service in public and community life and rewarding people who are committed to making a difference.
Jen Ellis (BA Philosophy, 2003), Founder, NextJenSecurity: MBE for services to cyber policy.
Annette Hay (BA Social Studies, 1997), Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, De Montfort University: MBE for services to higher education.
Dr Helen Tucker (PhD Health Sciences, 2013), Lately President, Community Hospitals Association: MBE for services to community hospitals.
We're also delighted that two of our honorary graduates were recognised in the honours list.
Professor Dame Parveen Kumar DBE (DSc, 2018), Professor Emerita of Medicine and Education, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London was awarded the Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire for services to global medical education and health.
Dr Heidi Meyer (LLD 2018), Master, Lord Leycester Hospital: MBE for services to heritage.
If you received an honour in the King's Birthday Honours and are not included here, please accept our apologies and congratulations. We鈥檇 love to celebrate your achievement, so please do contact us at .