Knighthoods
Gerald Davies CBE DL, awarded an Honorary Doctorate in 2008 for his dedication to sport and journalism, as been knighted in the New Year’s Honours List. He was recognised for his services to Rugby Union, and to voluntary and charitable services in Wales. He has also served several high-level positions in Wales and globally. Gerald has held significant leadership positions, such as serving as President of the Welsh Rugby Union in 2019, a representative on the World Rugby Council, and the manager of the British and Irish Lions for their 2009 tour in Africa. He has also contributed to a number of charitable causes including being patron and ambassador of the St David’s Lifeboat Station and being the trustee of the Barbarians and Welsh Rugby Charitable Trusts.
For his contribution to the economy and to net zero, Warren East CBE FRS FREng has been honoured with a knighthood. He started his career in the semiconductor industry at Texas Instruments before transitioning to ARM, a UK-based chip designer, where he served as CEO from 2001 to 2013. Warren has been a member on the boards of engineering and technology companies, with BT, Dyson and Micron. He is well known for his leadership at Rolls Royce where he was Chief Executive Officer from 2015-2022. During this time, he guided the company through substantial transformation. He continues to create economic value by focusing on businesses that aim to reduce carbon emissions and address climate change. The University recognised his achievements with an Honorary Doctorate in 2023 and in 2024 he became President of Institution of Engineering and Technology.
Commander of the British Empire - CBEs
Alumna Penny Briscoe OBE has been upgraded to a CBE for her services to Paralympic sport. She has over 30 years’ experience in elite sport as an athlete, coach, manager and director. Penny is Director of Sport for the British Paralympic Association. She has been Chef de Mission five times at Paralympic Games, once in Paris 2024, Tokyo 2020, PyeongChang 2018, Rio 2016 and Sochi 2014. Plus, she won the Outstanding Contribution to Sport JL Manning Award at the British Sports Journalism Awards in 2021.
Penny is a member of the Hall of Fame and was awarded Honorary Degree from the University in 2017. She was most recently a panellist at the University’s post Paris 2024 event to celebrate success at the Games. She is very engaged with the University and contributes her time and expertise regularly – particularly in her role on the University Council.
Penny Briscoe CBE received an Honorary Degree from the University in 2017
Former Chief Executive of the Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales, Paul Streets OBE has been selected for a CBE for his services to the voluntary sector. Paul completed a Co-operative Finance and Management Accounting programme at Loughborough University in 1986. He has extensive experience in both charity and public sectors. He held position of Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, the Health Development Agency and the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board. Prior to this, Paul was working as Director of Public and Patient Experience and Engagement in the Department of Health. In a LinkedIn post, Paul shared “Our sector is full of 'ordinary' people doing extraordinary things. Britain's real National Treasure - thousands of unsung true voluntary sector heroes, working day in, day out, to support those who Society might otherwise chose to ignore. It’s been a privilege to be alongside them. And I am truly humbled to receive this public honour”.
Officer of the Order of the British Empire - OBEs
Having dedicated his career to tackling health inequalities, Professor Ivan Browne has been awarded an OBE for his services to Public Health. In 2023, Ivan received the Chief Medical Officer’s National Impact Award from the Association of Directors of Public Health. He was previously director of public health at Leicester City Council where he played a key role during the pandemic.
In addition to being a Professor of Public Health and Social Determinants of Health at De Montfort University, Ivan is also non-executive director of the University of Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. He was awarded an Honorary Degree for his work throughout the pandemic by the University in 2021.
Professor Ivan Browne OBE was awarded an Honorary Degree in 2021
Alumnus Stuart Nassé has been awarded OBE. He is Head Capability Coalitions, Chair of Army Equitation and Chair of UK Armed Forces Equestrian Association. He was commissioned into the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) in 1997. Over the years, he has held various command roles in armoured and aviation engineering, including operational deployments to Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Amos Simbo has been presented with an OBE for services to the construction industry and to diversity. He is founder of the Black Professionals in Construction Network. This network champions careers in the construction industry amongst minorities and helps them to connect with the industry. He is also the founder of Winway Group, a mechanical and electrical services company. Amos completed a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Loughborough in 2011.
Amos Simbo OBE
Founder and Chief Executive Officer at GB Railfreight, John Smith has been awarded an OBE for his services to rail freight transport. John started his career in railways as a Technician Apprentice at 16 years old at British Rail. Following this, he worked at the carriage works in York, later transitioned into management positions, and eventually became deputy managing director at Anglia Railways. He then went on to establish GB Rail Freight. As well as being a trustee of the Settle and Carlisle Railway Trust, he played a key role in GB Railfreight’s efforts to raise over £1m for charities such as Alzheimer’s Society and Prostate Cancer UK. He is an accomplished business leader with over 40 years’ experience in the rail industry and is dedicated to driving sustainable growth and innovation in freight. John completed a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1993 at Loughborough.
Member of the Order of the British Empire – MBEs
For services to engineering and entrepreneurship, James Roberts has been awarded an MBE. He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of mOm Incubators, creator of groundbreaking neonatal incubator designed, developed, and manufactured in the UK. The mOm Incubator has been deployed overseas to locations such as Ukraine and is used in the NHS. It has impacted an estimated 10,000 patients so far. The mOm Essential Incubator is built to work in challenging environments and provides a stable heated environment even if access to electricity is unreliable thanks to a built-in battery. Its clever inflatable design and lighter weight of 20 kilograms make this incubator a more flexible option for neonatal care in the UK.
James has been recognised with numerous awards, including The Princess Royal Silver Medal. James was recently selected as the overall winner of the Loughborough Enterprise Network Impact Award at the University – for which he was shortlisted and selected by the Vice-Chancellor Professor Nick Jennings CB FREng FRS.
James Roberts MBE with the mOm Incubator at the University’s degree show last summer
Former design student Jane Frankland been awarded MBE for services to women in cyber security. She is business owner and CEO of a cyber security firm called KnewStart and Strategic Advisor to e2e-assure. Jane has played a key role in influencing the industry through her contributions to important standards and initiatives. This includes CREST, an international organisation that represents the technical security sector. She has also been involved with the UK Cyber Essentials Scheme.
One of the other alumni who received an MBE is Malcolm Tozer for services to physical education and sports. He completed a diploma in Physical Education from Loughborough University in 1966 and became director of physical education at Uppingham School in Rutland. He has almost 60 years of experience in volunteering and working in education, and is also an author and advisor of physical education. Some of his books include ‘Physical Education and Sport in Independent Schools’ (2012), ‘Physical Education in Britain since 1800’ (2019) and ‘Puddings, Bullies & Squashes: Early Public School Football Codes’ (2020). Malcolm’s work helped make physical education a key part of the school curriculum.
Another alumnus who was recognised with an MBE was Nicholas Bird for his exceptional services to paediatric oncology patients and to research advocacy. He is Chair of Trustees at Solving Kids’ Cancer UK. His son Adam was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at five years old and in 2013 sadly passed away. His personal connection to the cause has been the driving force in relentlessly leading the charity to support other families.
Professor Paul Brickell was presented with an MBE for services to the regeneration of East London. He was previously Executive Director of Regeneration and Community Partnerships, London Legacy Development Corporation. He switched careers to support the regeneration of East London before and after the 2012 Games. He is a former Professor of Molecular Haemotology. In 2016, Paul was made an Honorary Doctor of the University in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the advancement of East London via delivery of the 2012 Olympic Games legacy plan.
Professor Paul Brickell receiving his Honorary Degree from the London campus in 2016
Chief People and Governance Officer for Co-op Academies Trust, Ruth Agnew was also awarded an MBE for services to education. She has significantly impacted schools across Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Staffordshire, and Merseyside through her work with Co-op Academies Trust where she has focused on improving educational standards. She graduated with a BA in English and Drama from Loughborough in 1992. On the Co-Op Academies website, Ruth commented:
“It's great to achieve recognition for my role as a governance professional and I look forward to continuing the fantastic work we are doing within the Trust to develop governance practice to ensure our academies provide the best possible educational experiences for children and young people. It's a real privilege to be a part of that, and to be recognised in this way is entirely unexpected but very much appreciated.”
Further awards for our Loughborough-linked athletes
Three athletes who have used Loughborough University as a training base have also been recognised in the King’s Honours List, with David Ellis and Luke Pollard being given MBEs for their services to Paratriathlon.
Tully Kearney has been awarded an OBE for her achievements in services to swimming.
Additionally, former Loughborough College student Keely Hodgkinson has also been awarded an MBE for her services to athletics.
Tully Kearney OBE on stage at the University’s post-Paris event in London
Congratulations to all those who received King's Honours.
If you have been included in the Honours list or have any other updates to share, please get in touch and inform us.