21 people across Oxfordshire have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2023, which marks the extraordinary contributions and service of people across the UK.
Professor Sir John Irving Bell, Regius Professor of Medicine at the University of Oxford, was appointed a Companion of Honour (CH) in the King’s Birthday Honours list.
Professor Sir John Bell said: “I was delighted to hear that I had been recognised with a King’s Honour for the work I have done in medicine and life sciences. It reflects the efforts of the very large number of people across the sector who have made this one of the UK’s strongest disciplines.”
The citation for Professor Sir John Bell highlights how he has transformed the University’s research and innovation ecosystem, enabling billions of pounds of investment in research programmes, equipment, major building projects, and land purchases.
Professor Eleanor Jane Milner-Gulland, Tasso Leventis Professor of Biodiversity at the University of Oxford, was appointed a Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (DBE) for services to biodiversity conservation.
Professor Milner-Gulland said: “I was absolutely thrilled and shocked to receive the letter telling me that I’d been nominated for a Damehood, although the news has still not really sunk in even a couple of weeks later. It’s really a great honour, which means a lot to me and to my family.”
The citation for Professor Milner-Gulland’s Damehood highlights her sustained high-level contribution over a 32-year career to biodiversity conservation directly and by inspiring and enabling others, many notably from developing countries.
Also on the list are Professor Paul Newman, who was appointed a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to engineering and technology, Barbara Laithwaite, Managing Director of Laithwaites who was appointed a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the wine industry, and Elizabeth Ann, Director, Annie Sloan Interiors who was appointed a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to Interior Design
Professor Paul Newman, founder and CTO at Oxa (previously Oxbotica), the autonomous vehicle software developer, said: “I am deeply honoured to receive this award. Although it is unexpected, having my country recognise my contribution to Engineering and Technology in the UK in this manner is immensely humbling.
“Throughout my career I have had the opportunity and profound good fortune to work with outstanding colleagues, especially at Oxa with my fellow Oxbots. I promise to continue to champion what AI and robotics can do for transport systems. This is technology that changes the way the Earth moves — for the better.”
The lists of who’s received honours are published at New Year and on the King’s official birthday in June.
The complete list of the Oxfordshire people recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2023 is as follows:
Order of the Companions of Honour
Members of the Order of the Companions of Honour
Professor Sir John Irving BELL GBE FRS FREng
Regius Professor of Medicine, University of Oxford.
For services to Medicine, Medical Research, the Life Science Industry and to Public Health
(Wallingford, Oxfordshire)
Order of the British Empire
Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Professor Eleanor Jane MILNER-GULLAND
Tasso Leventis Chair in Biodiversity, Department of Biology, University of Oxford.
For services to International Conservation
(Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire)
Order of the British Empire
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
Barbara Anne LAITHWAITE
Managing Director, Laithwaites.
For services to the Wine Industry
(Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire)
Professor Paul Michael NEWMAN FREng BP
Professor in Information Engineering, University of Oxford.
For services to Technology and Engineering
(Woodstock, Oxfordshire)
Professor Julia Alison NOBLE OBE FRS FREng
Technikos Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford.
For services to Engineering and Biomedical Imaging
(Oxford, Oxfordshire)
Elizabeth Ann SLOAN
Director, Annie Sloan Interiors Ltd.
For services to Interior Design
(Oxford, Oxfordshire)
Order of the British Empire
Officers of the Order of the British Empire
Dr Parvinder Kaur ALEY
Director of Global Operations, Oxford Vaccine Group, University of Oxford. For services to Vaccination during COVID-19
(Oxford, Oxfordshire)
Christopher Paul ASHWORTH
Head of Social Impact, Nominet.
For services to Social Equality, Inclusion and to the Voluntary Sector
(Abingdon, Oxfordshire)
Mark Jonathan BAILEY
Executive Director, UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
For services to Microbial Ecology and Scientific Leadership
(Farringdon, Oxfordshire)
Dr Timothy David BESTWICK
Chair, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus.
For services to the Commercialisation of Science, Technology and Innovation
(Banbury, Oxfordshire)
Richard Devereux Burcombe COOPER
Lately, Chair of Trustees, Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance.
For services to Dance
(Bicester, Oxfordshire)
Professor John Norman NEWTON
Director of Public Health Analysis, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Department of Health and Social Care.
For services to Public Health
(Oxford, Oxfordshire)
Sarah Catherine TURVEY
Co-Founder, Prisons Reading Groups.
For services to Prisoners
(Oxford, Oxfordshire)
Dr Martin Austin WALSH
Deputy Director of Life Sciences, Diamond Light Source.
For services to Science during COVID-19
(Abingdon, Oxfordshire)
Order of the British Empire
Members of the Order of the British Empire
James Reginald BROCKMAN
For services to Bookbinding
(Oxford, Oxfordshire)
Kenneth Robertson BRUCE
Broadcaster.
For services to Radio, Autism Awareness and Charity
(Oxfordshire)
Sarah Na-Lamle GODWIN LAMPTEY
Founder, ShowerBox.
For services to Homeless People
(Woodstock, Oxfordshire)
Kathryn Ann HARPER-QUINN
Headteacher, Hounslow Heath Infant and Nursery School, London Borough of Hounslow.
For services to Education
(Faringdon, Oxfordshire)
Order of the British Empire
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire
Jeanne Catherine CHATTOE
Lately, Chair, Board of Trustees, Against Breast Cancer.
For charitable services to People with Cancer
(Witney, Oxfordshire)
Amber Kate HUGHES
Military Transport Road Safety and Assurance Manager, Ministry of Defence.
For services to the community in Oxfordshire
(Oxfordshire)
Yasmin SIDHWA
Founder and Director, Mandala Theatre Company.
For services to Drama
(Oxford, Oxfordshire)
Image credits: Professor Sir John Bell and Professor Eleanor Milner-Gulland (images courtesy of the University of Oxford), Professor Paul Newman (images courtesy of Oxa), and Elizabeth Ann (image courtesy of Annie Sloan Interiors Ltd).
