13 people from County Durham on King’s Honours List 2026

Those include Professor Carlos Silvestre Frenk, a Durham University scientist, who is one of the originators of the Cold Dark Matter theory for the formation of structure in the Universe, Allison White, a Newton Aycliffe cancer survivor who set up a support group and Faye Marsh, a Darlington council worker who has changed the lives of a countless number of children in their most vulnerable hours.

The King issues the honours list to publicly recognize and reward exceptional achievements, bravery, and selfless service to the nation. It is a centuries-old tradition that celebrates “extraordinary people” from all walks of life, including local community volunteers, charity workers, innovators, and public figures.

Here are 13 of the people from County Durham named on the King’s Birthday Honour List 2026:

Professor Sir Carlos Frenk (Image: DURHAM UNIVERSITY)

Professor Carlos Silvestre Frenk CBE FRS (Knighthood) Ogden Professor of Fundamental Physics, Durham University.
For services to Astrophysics and Cosmology – Durham
– Professor Frenk is one of the originators of the Cold Dark Matter theory for the formation of structure in the Universe. Working with scientists across the world he uses high-power supercomputers to build model universes, based on the known laws of physics. The techniques developed by Sir Carlos and his collaborators are now commonly used by cosmologists to explain the formation of the galaxies and other large-scale cosmic structures that we see in the Universe around us.

Rhiannon Jane Hiles (CBE) Chief Executive, Beamish Museum. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Rhiannon Jane Hiles (CBE) Chief Executive, Beamish Museum.
For services to Museums and to the Culture and Heritage of North East England – Durham

• Dr Colin Mark Richardson (OBE) – Assistant Professor, Northumbria University.
  For services to Firefighter Safety – Lanchester
•  Dr Martin Raby (OBE) – Principal and Chief Executive, The Northern School of Art, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool, North Yorkshire and County Durham.
  For services to Higher Education – Cleveland and County Durham
• John Michael Pearce (OBE) – Lately Director of Children’s Services, Durham County Council. For services to Children and Young People – Durham
• Sundas Khalid (MBE) – Co-Founder and Director, Association of South Asian Midwives.
  For services to Charity and Healthcare – Darlington

Graeme Black MBE (Image: GRAEME BLACK)

Graeme Michael Black (MBE) – Risk Advisory Assurance Lead, Department for Work and Pensions.
For services to Young People in the community of Durham – Chester-le-Street
– Graeme Black, who is a Business Ambassador with Durham Works and provides career coaching, enterprise sessions and various events for secondary school children has received a Member of the Most Excellent Order (MBE) award which he calls an “incredible privilege”.

•  Shirley Kathryn Smith (MBE) – Founder and Trustee, If U Care Share Foundation.
  For services to Suicide Prevention – Chester-le-Street
• Reuben Kench (MBE) – Chair, Stockton and Darlington Rail Heritage Partnership.
  For services to Heritage – Stockton and Darlington

Allison White who turned her own cancer diagnosis into action has been named in the King’s Birthday Honours list for a BEM. (Image: PROVIDED)

Allison White (BEM) – Founder, Great Aycliffe Cancer Support Group.
For services to Supporting People with Cancer (Aycliffe, County Durham)
– Allison White, was diagnosed with cancer back in 2009, and realised how lonely it can be. This fuelled her to set up the support group that provides transport for cancer patients to and from appointments, so they have that support system.

Faye Marsh (BEM) – Peer Mentor Manager, Darlington Borough Council. (Image: PROVIDED)

Faye Marsh (BEM) – Peer Mentor Manager, Darlington Borough Council.
For services to Children and Young People in County Durham – Spennymoor and Darlington
– Faye Marsh works for Darlington Council and has helped a countless amount of children across the region, going through the toughest as times. She said she was ‘shell shocked’ when she first realised she had been nominated.

PCSO Adrian Richards on patrol in Chester-le-Street (Image: DURHAM COSTABULARY)

 Adrian Richards (BEM) – Police Community Support Officer, Durham Constabulary.
For services to the community in Chester-le-Street, County Durham – Ferryhill
– Adrian Richards, a County Durham community police officer, has received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his work in the community which he calls a “great achievement”. Mr Richards has held a free activity week for underprivileged families for two decades to address a rise in anti-social behaviour during the school summer holidays.

•  Richard Starrs (BEM) – Project Manager, Stockton and Darlington Railway Bicentenary.
  For services to Heritage – Stockton and Darlington

The King’s Birthday Honours this year also highlighted a wide range of national figures, led by rugby league great Kevin Sinfield, actress Dame Helen Mirren, and several of England’s Euro-winning Lionesses.

Sinfield was knighted for his extraordinary fundraising and advocacy for motor neurone disease, raising over £10 million inspired by his late teammate Rob Burrow, while six Lionesses, including Chloe Kelly and rising star Michelle Agyemang, received MBEs for their historic football triumph.

Dame Helen Mirren was appointed a Companion of Honour for her outstanding contribution to drama, as nearly 1,200 individuals across sport, arts, charity, and public life were recognised for their impact on British society.

Every effort has been made to include all of the North East and North Yorkshire recipients. If you know of any that have been missed out, please email our newsdesk at newsdesk@nne.co.uk