A host of King’s alumni have been recognised by The Queen in this year’s Birthday Honours.

Among the honourees were those involved in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic:

• Pooja Kawa (MA World History & Cultures, 2016) has been awarded a British Empire Medal for her work on the development of a COVID-19 vaccine. Pooja is currently a Health and Clinical Advisor for Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), and her work for SAGE, and prior to this at the UK Vaccine Taskforce has been instrumental in the success of the UK vaccine response.

• Nick Elliott (MA Defence Studies, 1998) has been awarded a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) for services to the COVID-19 Response. As Director General of the UK Vaccine Taskforce, Nick played a central role in the UK’s vaccine response.

King’s alumni are also recognised for their commitment and dedication to many other areas, other honourees include:

• Samantha Birch (MA Defence Studies, 2016) has been awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to internal defence relations. She is Senior Advisor to the First Deputy Minister of the Afghan Ministry of Interior.
  
  
• Elizabeth Brown (MA Defence Studies, 2000) has been awarded an OBE for services to Veterans. Elizabeth is a Veterans Support Officer.
  
  
• Michael Houghton (PhD Biochemistry, 1977), who received the Nobel Prize for Medicine for his contribution to the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus, has been awarded a Knighthood for outstanding contribution to medicine and international health.
  
  
• Wol Kolade (Civil & Structural Engineering, 1988) has been awarded Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to financial services. Wol is the Chair of the Board of Trustees at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation and a Managing Partner for Livingbridge, a private equity firm.
  
  
• Charlotte Young (Philosophy, 2009) has been awarded a Member of the British Empire (MBE) for services towards female empowerment. Charlotte is the Co-founder of The Girls’ Network, whose aim is to inspire and empower girls from the least advantaged communities.

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

See the full honours list here.