Congratulations to our Warwick alumni and staff who have been recognised in the 2025 King's New Year Honours. The awards celebrate extraordinary people from across the UK for their outstanding contributions to society.

Tamara Finkelstein (PG Cert Public Finance and Leadership, 2010), Social Sciences. Permanent Secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), was awarded Dames Commander of the Order of the Bath, one of the highest possible honours in the Kings New Year Honours. She has dedicated her entire 32-year career to public service and has led DEFRA's transformation through significant changes, including Brexit and COVID.

Professor Paul Monks (BSc Chemistry, 1988), SEM. Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry and Earth Observation Science at the University of Leicester, was awarded Companions of the Order of the Bath. In his role, he offers independent scientific advice to ministers and policymakers, focusing on key issues facing the UK. This includes the vital role of science in achieving a sustainable and measurable net zero, as well as the challenges of decarbonising both nationally and globally.

Further members of our alumni community awarded honours include:

Dr Alan Belfield FREng (MBA, 1989), Social Sciences. Chairman, Arup, awarded Officers of the Order of the British Empire.

Dr Paul Champman (Beng Engineering, 1991; MSc Information Technology for Manufacture, 1994; EngD Engineering, 2001), Engineering. Senior Fellow in Operations Management, Said Business School, awarded Officers of the Order of the British Empire.

Mark Emmerson (PGCE, 1984), Social Sciences. Chief Executive of City of London Academies Trust, awarded Officers of the Order of the British Empire.

Dr Paul Fisher (MA Economics, 1983; PhD Economics, 1990), Social Sciences. Fellow of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, Cambridge University, awarded Officers of the Order of the British Empire.

Ross Haggart KFSM (PG Cert Strategic Leadership (Fire and Rescue Service)), Social Sciences. Retired Chief Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue, awarded Commanders of the Order of the British Empire.

Rosie Marr (BSc Biological Sciences, 1999), SEM. Deputy Director Cyber Operations and Assurance, Cabinet Office, awarded Officers of the Order of the British Empire.

Sravya Rao (BSc Economics, 2008), Social Sciences. Deputy Director, Department for Business and Trade, awarded Officers of the Order of the British Empire.

Nicola Solomon (LLB Law, 1981), Social Sciences. Chief Executive of the Society of Authors, awarded Officers of the Order of the British Empire.

Paul Streets OBE (MBA, 1994), Social Sciences. Non-Exec Director, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, awarded Commanders of the Order of the British Empire.

Nadine Tilbury (LLB Law, 1979), Social Sciences. Lately Policy Officer, Working Together with Parents Network. For services to Promoting the Rights of Disabled Parents, awarded Members of the Order of the British Empire.

Stephen Whiting (BA History, 1978), Arts. Senior Policy Advisor and Lead Communications Officer, UK Debt Management Office. For Public Service, awarded Members of the Order of the British Empire.

Celebrations are also in order as three academics from The University of Warwick have been named in the New Year Honours List for their outstanding contributions to medical and environmental sciences, reflecting the world-leading research and reputation of the University.

Professor Rosemary Collier OBE, an entomologist and applied ecologist, has been honoured for her pioneering work in horticultural science. Awarded for Officers of the Order of the British Empire, Professor Collier is based in the School of Life Sciences (Warwick Crop Centre), her research focuses on sustainable pest management in horticultural crops, using methods that minimise ecological impact.

Professor Gavin Perkins, Warwick alumnus (PG Medical Award, 2005; MMedEd Medical Education, 2006; DSc 2023), SEM. Dean of Warwick Medical School, was awarded Members of the Order of the British Empire, for his significant contributions to Resuscitation Science.

Professor Siobhan Quenby, was awarded Members of the Order of the British Empire for her ground-breaking research in obstetrics. Recognised globally for her work on miscarriage and pre-term birth. Her research aims to translate scientific advances into new tests and treatments for pregnancy loss.

From more than 1,200 people in the King's 2025 New Year Honours List, we have identified 14 of those as Warwick alumni. If you received an honour and are not included here, please accept our apologies and congratulations. We’d love to celebrate your achievement, so please do contact us at .