King's New Year's Honours 2026

If you received an honour in the King's New Year's Honours and are not included here, please accept our apologies and congratulations. We’d love to celebrate your achievement, so please do contact us at alumni@warwick.ac.uk

Two separate photos of Sarah-Jane Perry with her medals and Harjinder Singh Lallie looking straight at camera

Thirteen Warwick alumni have been recognised in the latest King’s New Year's Honours for their outstanding contributions across public service, education, culture, health, infrastructure, community life, and beyond. Their achievements reflect the significant and lasting impact they have made in the world around them.

Harjinder Singh Lallie OBE (PhD Engineering, 2020), Associate Professor - Reader (Cyber Security) at WMG and Founder of the Gurmat Sangeet Academy, has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to Musical Heritage, Faith Communities and Integration. The honour reflects more than 30 years of dedication to music education, teacher development, and community engagement.

He said, “I am deeply humbled but honoured to have been recognised with an OBE in the King's New Year's Honours list. Education has been my life for many decades, and it has been an honour to serve the community and enrich lives and opportunities.”

Sarah-Jane Catherine Perry OBE (BSc Engineering and Business Studies, 2011), World Champion Professional Squash Player, grassroots champion and mentor, has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to Squash.

Sarah-Jane was an alumni speaker at Warwick’s Summer Graduation ceremony 2025. You can listen to her inspiring speech.

Also recognised as part of the King’s New Year's Honours are:

Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Cathy Francis CBE (PG Diploma Public Administration, 2012), Director of New Towns, Infrastructure and Housing Delivery at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, has been awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for Public Service.

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Matthew Agar OBE (MPhys Mathematics and Physics, 2000), Strategy Director at Building Digital UK, has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to Digital Infrastructure and Broadband.

Pamela Ann Dean Clark OBE (MPA, 2009), lately Board Vice-Chair at NHS Highland, has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to the NHS.

Beverley Anne Craig OBE (PG Cert Local Government Management, 2010), Leader of Manchester City Council, has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to Local Government.

Ian Todd OBE (PG Dip Educational Assessment, 2015), Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for Parliamentary and Public Service.

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Martin Baker MBE (LLB Law, 1981), Chief Commercial Affairs Officer and Managing Director for the Paralympics at Channel 4, has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to Broadcasting.

Valerie Ann Birchall MBE (MA International Culture and Policy Management, 2023), Assistant Director for Culture, Tourism and Sport at Hammersmith and Fulham Council, has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to Public Libraries and to Culture.

Rebecca Jane Bollands MBE (PGCE General Primary, 2004), Head Teacher at Earlson Primary School, Coventry, has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to Cultural Education in the West Midlands.

Gillian Dawn Boast MBE (Cert Diabetes Care, 2005), Training Programme Lead at the General Practice Nursing Foundation School and Primary Care Development Nurse for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board, has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to Primary Care Nursing.

Jacquelyn Bridget Dunne MBE (MA Education and Industry, 1996), Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham Newman University, has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to Higher Education.

Nigel Lymn Rose MBE (BSc Management Sciences, 1976), Chair of A.W. Lymn The Family Funeral Service and former President of the National Association of Funeral Directors, has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to the Bereaved.

Rebecca Kilcullen, Head of Alumni and Supporter Engagement, said: “It is a privilege to see our alumni recognised in the King’s New Year’s Honours. These awards reflect the exceptional contributions they make in their fields and the meaningful impact they have on communities locally, nationally and globally.”