The 2025 New Year Honours list celebrates a diverse range of accomplishments, from sporting excellence to community contributions. Former England football manager Gareth Southgate and actor Stephen Fry are among those receiving knighthoods, highlighting achievements in sport, mental health advocacy, and environmental efforts.
Southgate, now Sir Gareth, is recognised for leading the England football team to consecutive UEFA European Championship finals. Meanwhile, Sir Stephen Fry receives the honour for his advocacy on mental health and environmental issues. Reflecting on his knighthood, Fry described the recognition as “startling and enchanting,” recounting his tumultuous youth and how this achievement stands as a testament to transformation and resilience.
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800m champion Keely Hodgkinson is among several athletes recognised for their performances at the Paris Games, receiving an MBE. Other athletes honoured include kitesurfer Ellie Aldridge and heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson, who also receive MBEs, and cyclist Tom Pidcock, rower Helen Glover, and swimmer Duncan Scott, who are appointed OBEs. Paralympic champions, including Tully Kearney, Alice Tai, and Hannah Cockroft, are similarly recognised for their contributions to sport.
The list also features key figures in public service, such as London Mayor Sadiq Khan and former West Midlands mayor Andy Street, both awarded knighthoods. Labour MP Emily Thornberry is made a dame, while MI5 director general Ken McCallum and civil servant Tamara Finkelstein receive the prestigious titles of Knight Commander and Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath, respectively.
In the arts, Carey Mulligan and Sarah Lancashire are appointed CBEs for their contributions to drama. Lancashire described the honour as an “unexpected delight.” Meanwhile, former Coronation Street actress Anne Reid becomes a CBE, and former Doctor Who star Tom Baker is appointed an MBE. Loyd Grossman, known for his work in heritage and as chairman of The Royal Parks, is knighted.
The knighthoods extend to campaigners against domestic violence and abuse, including Julie Devey and Carole Gould, co-founders of Killed Women, and Nicholas Gazzard, founder of the Hollie Gazzard Trust. Soma Sara, founder of anti-rape charity Everyone’s Invited, is appointed an MBE for her advocacy work.
The honours list highlights justice campaigners such as Seema Misra, who becomes an OBE for her role in exposing the Horizon IT scandal. Misra was one of hundreds of sub-postmasters wrongfully prosecuted by the Post Office. Her recognition comes as legal actions and investigations into the scandal continue.
Community heroes are also celebrated, such as Anne Croucher, a Tesco worker who raised funds for care home residents, Malcolm Fletcher, founder of the Ely Military Band, and Joan Lockley, who established West Midlands Hedgehog Rescue. They are awarded the Medal of the Order of the British Empire.
The honours list also acknowledges literary and scientific achievements. Author Sir Kazuo Ishiguro, known for works such as The Remains of the Day, is made a Companion of Honour, joining a select group of only 65 people at any one time. Scientist Sir Leszek Borysiewicz is made Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire, reflecting his contributions to cancer research.
Among the youngest honourees is Mikayla Beames, an 18-year-old recognised for her fundraising efforts supporting children with cancer. Para-swimmer William Ellard, also 18, is appointed an MBE for his Paralympic gold medal in the S14 200m freestyle. At 103, Colin Bell, a World War II Mosquito pilot, is the oldest recipient on the list, awarded a Medal of the Order of the British Empire for his charity work.
Overall, more than 1,200 individuals are recognised, showcasing achievements across fields including education, healthcare, charity, and the arts. The honours system, which includes recommendations from the public and senior government officials, recognises achievements across various fields. For more about how knighthoods are awarded, visit the official UK Honours page.
For further insights into the achievements celebrated in this year’s New Year Honours, follow EyeOnLondon for updates and in-depth features.
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