Music and the arts are represented through conductor Richard Farnes, who was educated in Cambridge, and theatre consultant Rachel Tackley, reflecting the city’s cultural reach beyond academia.
Cambridge has made a notable mark on this year’s King’s New Year Honours list, with a range of individuals recognised for their contributions across public service, science, the arts, and community initiatives.
The list highlights the city’s enduring influence in national life, from politics and academia to cultural leadership. At the forefront is former Cambridge MP Tristram Hunt, who has been appointed a Knight Bachelor for his services to museums as Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Hunt’s career has spanned politics, broadcasting and academia.
The honours also include distinguished professionals in science and medicine, such as Professor Jennifer Kateman Rubin, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Home Office, and Professor Michael Lennard Nicholson of the University of Cambridge, recognised for his work in kidney transplantation. Their inclusion underscores the city’s reputation as a centre of innovation and research.
Music and the arts are represented through conductor Richard Farnes, who was educated in Cambridge, and theatre consultant Rachel Tackley, reflecting the city’s cultural reach beyond academia. Local initiatives and community work are also celebrated, with honourees recognised for social enterprise, environmental leadership, and support for young people.
Overall, the Cambridge names on the honours list paint a picture of a city whose influence spans national and local impact alike, celebrating achievements from world-class institutions to grassroots community efforts.
Knights Bachelor
- Dr Tristram Julian William Hunt. Director, Victoria and Albert Museum. For services to Museums. (London, Greater London)
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
- Professor Jennifer Kateman Rubin. Chief Scientific Adviser and Director General, Home Office. For services to Science and Analysis. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)
- Richard Haworth Farnes. Conductor. For services to Music. (Colchester, Essex)
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- Craig Bennett. Chief Executive Officer, The Wildlife Trusts. For services to the Environment. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)
- Tracy Foster. Chief Guide, Girlguiding. For services to Girlguiding. (Peterborough, Cambridgeshire)
- Professor Michael Lennard Nicholson. Professor of Transplant Surgery, University of Cambridge. For services to Kidney Transplantation. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)
- Richard James Grenville Turfitt. Traffic Commissioner, East of England and lately Senior Traffic Commissioner. For services to Road Safety and Justice. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)
- Georgina Wilson. Chief Executive Officer, BUD Leaders. For services to Social Enterprise. (St Neots, Cambridgeshire)
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
- Matthew Peter John Baker. For services to Technology and to Wireless Communications. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)
- Peter Charles Phillimore Boardman. Effects Analyst, Ministry of Defence. For services to Defence. (Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire)
- Dr Ayla Frances Humphrey. Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge. For services to Young People with Acquired Brain Injuries. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)
- Stephen John Kelly. Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development, Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service. For services to Town Planning. (Northampton, Northamptonshire)
- Lianne Marie Simpson. Founder and Director, Diamond Hampers. For services to Tackling Food Waste and the community of Cambridgeshire. (Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire)
- Rachel Nicola Tackley. Theatre Consultant, Producer and Curator. For services to the Arts. (St Neots, Cambridgeshire)
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
- Debra Marie Scotting. For services to the community in Warmington, Northamptonshire. (Peterborough, Cambridgeshire)
- David John Toop. For services to the community in Whittlesford, Cambridgeshire. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)
