King's College London

Sir Alex Beard CBE FKC (Classics, 1984) was recognised for his outstanding leadership in the arts, particularly as Chief Executive of the Royal Ballet and Opera since 2013. He has transformed the Royal Opera House’s Grade I listed home, strengthened its reputation as one of the world’s leading artistic institutions, and led the organisation through the financial challenges of the pandemic with resilience and vision.

Previously, he served as Deputy Director of Tate, where he played a key role in the creation of Tate Modern and led major capital and digital development programmes. He was awarded a CBE in 2012 and has now received a Knighthood for services to the arts.

He was also honoured with a 2025 King’s Distinguished Alumni Award, recognising his exceptional contribution to the cultural life of the UK and his continued connection to the KCL community.

Jane Tranter CBE (English Literature, 1984) is a pioneering television executive and producer, recognised with a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to television. She was instrumental in the successful reboot of Doctor Who in 2005 and has overseen acclaimed productions including Succession, Rome, The Night Of, Life on Mars, Bleak House, and Spooks.

As co-founder of the Cardiff-based production company Bad Wolf, she has combined creative excellence with a deep commitment to community impact. “More than anything, I wanted the ability to create a workplace that didn’t only make drama but made a permanent difference to the local community in which it was situated,” she told us in an interview last year.

Read more about Jane Tranter’s illustrious career in television in our alumni magazine InTouch.

Tiina Lee CBE (Food Science, 1990) has been recognised for her leadership in the financial services sector. She is the UK Chief Executive Officer of Citi, having previously served as CEO for the UK & Ireland at Deutsche Bank. Alongside her corporate leadership, she is deeply committed to community impact.

Under her leadership, Citi London partnered with The Felix Project as its 2025–2026 London Charity Partner, supporting food redistribution efforts and tackling food insecurity across the capital. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of Donmar Warehouse Projects, reflecting her broader commitment to social and cultural causes.

She was awarded the Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2025 for services to the financial services industry.

Howard Dawber OBE (German with French, 1991) was awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to local government and the community in East London. He is the Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth and previously served as Managing Director for Strategy at Canary Wharf Group. Where he supported major projects including the Elizabeth Line and the 2012 Olympic Legacy.

A long-time advocate for East London, he is a patron of the East End Community Foundation and a trustee of The Line public art walk.

Two current King’s staff members have also been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Professor Sir Simon Charles Wessely GBE, FMedSci, FRS is a Regius Professor of Psychiatry in the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience. He was awarded a GBE for Services to Mental Health.

Professor Robin Ali OBE, FMedSci is the Centre Director and Academic Lead in the Gene Therapy Vector Facility. He was awarded an OBE for services to Gene and Cell Therapies.

The King’s Birthday Honours full list of alumni:

• Robert Alexander OBE (Environmental Biology, 1980): OBE for services to Leadership in the NHS
• Group Captain Andrew Baron OBE (Defence Studies, 2013): OBE for services to the military
• Group Captain Paul Baroni OBE (War Studies, 1997): OBE for services to the military
• Dr Peter Brennan OBE BDS LDS MB BS FRCS (Dentistry, 1986): OBE for services to Surgery and Patient Safety
• Air Vice-Marshal Mark Chappell CB (Defence Studies, 2007): CB for services to the military
• Anthony Cole MBE (Mathematics and Physics, 1982): MBE for Political and Public Service.
• Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Charles Collins KBE DSO (Defence Studies, 2005): KCB for services to the military
• Major William Cook MBE (Military & Security Studies, 2018): MBE for services to the military
• Dr Peter Cranfield MBE BDS PhD (Dentistry, 1971): MBE for services to Dental Education
• Major Christopher Danby MBE (Military & Security Studies, 2020): MBE for services to the military
• Group Captain Rachel Dixon CBE (Defence Studies, 2016): OBE for services to the military
• Commodore Philip Game KCB (Defence Studies, 2008): KCB for services to the military
• Professor Frances Gardner CMG (Psychiatry, 1986): CMG for services to reducing Violence against Children
• Lieutenant-Colonel James Green OBE (Defence Studies, 2018): OBE for services to the military
• Professor Peter Higgins OBE, FRSE, FRGS, PFHEA (Life, Basic Medical & Health Sciences, 1978): OBE for services to the Environment and Outdoor Education
• Yvonne Leavy OBE (Epileptology, 2001): OBE for services to Epilepsy Nursing
• Lieutenant-Colonel Liam Metcalfe OBE (Defence Studies, 2018): OBE for services to the military
• Dr Roger Morris MBE MBBS MRCGP DGM (Medicine, 1988): MBE for services to Healthcare, to Charity and to the community in Cardiff
• Major Martin Murphy MBE (Military & Security Studies, 2020): MBE for services to the military
• Colonel Richard Newland OBE (Defence Studies, 2019): OBE for services to the military
• Surgeon Commander Matthew Osborne MBE (Medicine, 2008): MBE for services to the military
• Amish Patel BEM (Pharmacy, 2007): BEM for services to Community Pharmacy
• Rear-Admiral Robert Pedre CB (Defence Studies, 2016): Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) for services to the military
• Lieutenant-Colonel Steven Pengilly OBE (Academic Practice in Higher Professional Education, 2020): OBE for services to the military
• Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Pounds OBE (War Studies, 2001): OBE for services to the military
• Professor William Powrie CBE (Construction Law, 1991): Awarded a CBE for services to Engineering
• Major Marcus Roberts MBE (War Studies, 2004): MBE for services to the military
• Colonel Graham Sefton CBE (Defence Studies, 2017): CBE for services to the military
• Air Commodore Ian Sharrocks CBE (Defence Studies, 2013): CBE for services to the military
• Shaun Spiers OBE (War Studies, 1985): OBE for services to Environmental Policy and Sustainability
• Air Marshal Sir John Stringer KCB (Defence Studies, 2006): KCB for services to the military
• Ann Swampillai OBE (Law with European Legal Studies, 2000): OBE for services to National Security
• Professor Russell Thomas OBE (Physics with Medical Applications, 1992): OBE for services to Radiotherapy and Cancer Treatment
• Warrant Officer Nathan Toms KVRM (Conflict, Security & Development, 2024): King's Volunteer Reserves Medal (KVRM) for services to the military
• Major Luke Turrell MBE (War Studies, Theology & Religious Studies, 2005; Strategic Communications, 2022): MBE for services to the military

All at King’s would like to congratulate those honoured this year, as further demonstration of our excellence and the strength of our global alumni community.

We’ve done our best to identify all staff and alumni recognised in the honours list, but if you know an individual we’ve missed, please do let us know.