The alumni and supporters recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours

Congratulations to all of our alumni and supporters who have been recognised with a New Year Honour. With contributions to health, education and society, we’re proud of everyone in our community who has been recognised this year.

Some of this year’s recognised alumni and supporters are:

Dr Lee Kai Hung, retired Hong Kong businessman, philanthropist and Honorary Graduate of the University of Manchester, is made Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to Education and Cultural Exchange between the UK and China. Dr Lee’s generous support has allowed the establishment of the University’s Manchester China Centre and a new ‘Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Gallery’ at the Manchester Museum.

Sean Marett (MBA 1993), Chief Business and Chief Commercial Officer at BioNTech AG, developer of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, is made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) for his services to the development of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Sara Khan (MA Pharmacy 2002) is made a Dame (DBE) for her services to human rights and counter extremism. Dame Sara founded Inspire, a charity working to counter extremism and gender inequality, in 2008. In January 2018 she was appointed by the Home Secretary to lead the Commission for Countering Extremism (CCE), a position she held until March 2021. She received the University’s Outstanding Alumni Award in 2018.

Shakeel Qureshi (MBChB 1976), Professor of Paediatric Cardiology at Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospitals, has been knighted for his services to paediatric cardiology and charity. 

Professor Malcolm Press (PhD Plant Biology 1984), Vice-Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University, has been made a CBE for services to higher and technical education.

Anthony Braddon (BA (Econ) (Hons) 1973), Chairman of Leander Holdings, a property and investment group based in Kent, is made OBE for his voluntary and charitable services to homeless people and underprivileged children in London and the South East.

Andy Cosslett (BA (Econ) (Hons) 1977; MA (Econ) European Community Studies 1978), who was Chair of the Rugby Football Union from 2016 to 2021, is made a CBE for services to the RFU. Mr Cosslett is also Chairman of Kingfisher plc. 

Philippa Rouse(BSc(Hons) Mathematics 1993), Director, Future Border and Immigration System at the Home Office, is conferred a CBE for public service. 

Figen Murray (PG Cert Supervision of Counselling/Helping Professionals 2003) is made OBE for her services to counter-terrorism. Figen’s son, Martyn Hett, was one of the 22 people killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. She has led a campaign for legislation known as Martyn's Law, to step up security measures in public places, and has also given talks in schools on the dangers of radicalisation.

Amanda Nicholson (MA Educational Leadership 2016) is made an OBE for services to education. A National Leader of Education (NLE), Amanda is Executive Principal of Oakwood Academy, an outstanding secondary special school in Manchester for pupils and students who have moderate/complex learning difficulties. She is also Chief Executive Officer of King’s Academy Trust.

Natalie Shaw (BSc (Hons) Management Sciences 1988), Director of Employment Affairs at the International Chamber of Shipping, is made an MBE for her services to seafarers during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Dr John Stageman  Chairman of LifeArc is made an OBE for services to the Translation of Medical Research.