A number of people across the charity sector have been recognised for their achievements and service in the New Year Honours List 2025.
Jeremy Isaacs, honorary life chair of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, has been awarded a knighthood for services to philanthropy and to children's hospice care.
Loyd Grossman, chair of the Royal Parks, has been awarded a knighthood for services to heritage.
Actor Stephen Fry, who has been serving as Mind's president since September 2011, has been awarded a knighthood for services to mental health awareness, the environment and to charity.
Other charity leaders, trustees and founders were recognised among the list of 1,203 awardees.
CBE
Paul Streets, former chief executive of the Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales, was awarded a CBE.
Writing on social media, he said: “I’ve been genuinely moved by the many hundreds of people I’ve worked with committed to improving the lives of others.
“They represent people at their best when, all too often, we hear only of people at their worst. 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.”
Ruth Marks, former CEO of the Wales Council for Voluntary Action, received a CBE.
“It is an honour to be awarded a CBE that I am accepting on behalf of the voluntary sector in Wales,” she wrote on social media.
“It is really pleasing to know that the role of volunteers, trustees and paid staff is being recognised.”
Amanda Berry, chief executive of the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales, has been awarded a CBE for services to the creative industries and to charity. Berry served as the chief executive of BAFTA from 1998 to 2022.
Cheryl Ward, Family Fund chief executive, has been awarded a CBE for services to social care.
Ward said: “I’m deeply honoured to receive this recognition.
“Leading Family Fund and working alongside such a dedicated team of colleagues and trustees, both past and present, is a true privilege.
“This award is a testament to the unwavering commitment of everyone at Family Fund, who work tirelessly to support families facing incredibly challenging circumstances and strive to make a meaningful difference to their lives every day.”
OBE
Kathryn Smith, Social Care Institute for Excellence chief executive, said she was “deeply honoured” to be awarded an OBE for her services to social care.
“This moment allows me to reflect on what I have achieved in my 35-year career and to renew my commitment to the sector and the people who draw on care and support,” she said.
“It also gives me the opportunity to whole-heartedly thank my colleagues, past and present, for motivating and inspiring me—this award is a recognition of your passion and dedication as well as mine. I look forward to working with you to secure the future of social care.”
Stephen Allan, Rays of Sunshine children’s charity co-founder, has been awarded an OBE for services to children and the media industry.
Allan said: “I’m honoured and humbled to have been awarded an OBE, but I genuinely wouldn’t have achieved this award without the support, hard work and dedication of every person I’ve worked with in both my professional and charitable work life.
“Although it’s my name on the award, it’s a tribute to my fellow trustees and founders of Rays of Sunshine and all the many incredible colleagues who have been with me on my work journey in the media industry.”
Tom Balchin, founder of Action for Rehabilitation from Neurological Injury (ARNI) charity, has been awarded an OBE for services to functional rehabilitation after stroke.
ARNI trustees said: “‘Dr Balchin has grown this charity from just an idea to help people like himself, and has done it always voluntarily.
“We think he is a quite remarkable man who is fully deserving of this very significant national honour.”
MBE
Susie McDonald, chief executive of domestic abuse charity Tender, has been awarded an MBE for her services to young people and prevention of abuse.
McDonald said: “I’m absolutely delighted to receive this MBE, recognising my lifelong mission: to end domestic abuse and sexual violence.
“Tender is not my work alone, but the collective dedication of so many talented people across more than two decades. It all started with the genius and imagination of Tamsin Larby, Tender’s founder.
“Abuse is preventable, if only children and young people are empowered with the right skills and knowledge – and our work is proven to do this.
“I’m so grateful not only for the award, but for the light it will shine on this urgent issue. Now is the time to prevent abuse – let’s make 2025 the beginning of the end.”
Gill Arukpe, founder and chief executive of Social Interest Group, has been awarded an MBE for services in homelessness and mental health challenges.
Arukpe has worked 46 years in the charity sector, including 17 years at Shelter where she advocated for the rights of homeless individuals.
She founded Social Interest Group in 2014 to support a wider network of charities that provide services to vulnerable people.
Arukpe said: “Homelessness and mental health are now at chronic levels. We must continue to work together to find sustainable solutions and provide the necessary support to those in need.”
Former RSPCA trustee and treasurer Barbara Gardner has been awarded an MBE for services to animal welfare.
Gardner joined the RSPCA as a volunteer in Devon and served for almost 13 years as treasurer and trustee for the then RSPCA Torquay and South East Devon branch.
She served as a trustee of the charity from 2008 to 2014 and again from 2018 to 2021, when she also served as the treasurer.
Gardner said: “I'm deeply honoured and humbled to have received an MBE for services to animal welfare. The fact that animal welfare is being recognised is amazing, as it's something which I feel has been often overlooked.”
Nicky Goulder, founding chief executive of Create, has been awarded an MBE for services to disadvantaged people.
Goulder said: “I founded Create 21 years ago in the belief that everyone should have access to the life-enhancing power of the creative arts, which offer hope, inspiration, connection and skill-building.
“I have combined my work at Create with a number of voluntary positions for charities that have been inspirational and deeply rewarding.
“It is an honour to be awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List 2025 in recognition of the impact that we are making.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved with Create over the years for their commitment, passion and dedication and hope that this award helps to shine a light on the importance of making creativity accessible to everyone. This vision has been – and will continue to be – the driving force in my life into the future.”
Paul Newman, chief executive of Greensleeves Care, has been awarded an MBE for services to health and social care.
Newman’s is a past board member of the National Care Forum, King’s College Hospital Charity and the Council of Deans of Health.
He said: “I am deeply humbled to receive this recognition, which reflects the hard work and dedication of so many colleagues and partners in the health and social care sector.
“This award is a testament to their commitment to improving the lives of older people. As I prepare for the next chapter of my career, I remain as passionate as ever about raising standards, fostering innovation and creating environments where older people can thrive.”
David Ward, founder of the Abigail’s Footsteps, has been awarded an MBE for services to bereaved parents, particularly in Kent.
Ward and his wife Jo launched the charity in 2010, one year after losing their daughter Abigail. The charity provides support and counselling for bereaved parents and families as well as specialist bereavement training for midwives and healthcare professionals.
Ward said: “I am honoured to accept this award from His Majesty on behalf of myself and Jo, who equally deserves recognition, and all of the bereaved families that we have supported over the years.
“This award honours the memory of our daughter Abigail and acknowledges the wonderful, groundbreaking work that Abigail’s team has accomplished over the past 15 years.”
Emily Rose Aidin, founder and chief executive of Art History Link-Up, has been awarded an MBE for services to art history and to young people.
In 2016, Aidin founded the charity to provide free opportunities for young people from state schools to study art history and to secure the future of art history as a subject.
Aidin said: “I’m honoured to be awarded an MBE for my services to art history and young people.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with many organisations and people who feel equally committed to ensuring art history thrives, in particular those who generously support the work of Art History Link-Up. This award is for everyone who has recognised the value of studying art history.”
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