Four Professors from our University recognised in King’s New Year Honours
05 Jan 2026
The honours system recognises achievements, commitment and service by people across the UK.
Professor Sarah Sharples has been made Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to transportation, manufacturing research and equality, diversity and inclusion.
Professor Fiona Rayment has been awarded Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her services to nuclear engineering.
Professor Martin Humphries has been made Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Bioscience.
Professor Tony Redmond OBE is made a Knight Commander in the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) for services to Humanitarian Medical Assistance.
Professor Sarah Sharples (CBE)
Sarah is Vice-President and Dean of Science and Engineering at the University, having joined in September from the Department for Transport where she had been Chief Scientific Adviser since 2021.
She said: “I’m quite overwhelmed to have received this award. I’ve been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with some amazing teams in all areas of my career and had incredible support from my family and friends.
“I would particularly like to thank those members from under-represented and disadvantaged groups who have been very generous with their time and guidance over many years in supporting my leadership of equality, diversity and inclusion.
“This award also demonstrates the value of taking a multidisciplinary approach to many of the engineering and societal challenges that we face today, and I’m delighted that my work and that of my colleagues has been recognised in this way.”
Professor Fiona Rayment (DBE)
Professor Rayment is a Visiting Professor in Nuclear Policy and Capability at the University’s Dalton Nuclear Institute Policy Group, where she provides input into key policy papers, provides visiting lectures on nuclear energy and mentors students and university personnel engaged in nuclear engineering and science.
Fiona was previously awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2017.
Professor Rayment said: “It is a huge privilege for me to receive this honour. My family and I are immensely proud that my work has been recognised in this way.
“My career as an engineer in the nuclear industry has enabled me to work on so many interesting projects and meet countless wonderful people, both in the UK and internationally. Nuclear provides clean and reliable energy and as an engineer working on such worthwhile projects I continue to engage on both exciting and rewarding opportunities.
“I’m especially honoured that those opportunities include the chance to play a leading role in driving inclusion throughout our sector. I've seen first-hand how that enables more agile decision making, creates better outcomes and embraces more rigorous challenge.”
Professor Martin Humphries (OBE)
Martin Humphries has worked at the University since 1988. He held a series of research fellowships from the Wellcome Trust from 1988-2008, co-founded the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research in 1995, and served as its Director from 2000-2009. From 2008-2016, he was Vice-President & Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences.
Professor Humphries said: “The life of an academic is a wonderful blend of ego and altruism – in my case, the ego is fed by a drive to push forward our knowledge of biology, while the altruism is fed by providing an environment within which other egos can thrive. I am indebted to the numerous talented people who have worked in my lab for their contributions to our discoveries – they have played a vital role. I also thank those who have variously helped me construct science buildings, establish leadership schemes, build research facilities and, most important of all, recruit and manage staff of the highest calibre. I am delighted to receive this honour on their behalf.”
Professor Tony Redmond (KCMG)
Professor Tony Redmond is Founder of UK-Med and Professor Emeritus of International Emergency Medicine at the University. He is recognised for his exceptional and long-term contributions to healthcare and humanitarian response, both in the UK and internationally.
He said: “For me it recognises the work of so many people over so many years. All those selfless volunteers who've joined UKMED and made it into the international humanitarian organisation it is now and my colleagues at The University of Manchester who helped us establish the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute to carry out research and teaching to continuously improve the delivery of humanitarian assistance.”
University alumni, supporters and affiliates
University alumni and partners were also recognised in the King’s New Year Honours. Among them was alumna Meera Syal CBE, award-winning Comedian, Writer and Actor, who is a key figure on the University’s Bicentenary Way. She was awarded Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for services to Literature, to Drama and to Charity.
Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, who is also an alumna of the University, was made Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Local Government.
Elizabeth Brooks was made CBE for her services to philanthropy. Elizabeth, along with her husband Rory are significant and valued supporters of the University, notably of the Global Development Institute.
Board of Governors member, Anna Dawe was made OBE for services to further education. Her current role is CEO/Principal at Wigan and Leigh College.
Craig Bennett, an honorary professor at Alliance Manchester Business School, was also made OBE for services to the environment. Craig is Chief Executive Officer, The Wildlife Trusts.
The University will be celebrating the full list of alumni and supporters recognised in the King’s New Year Honours in the New Year.