A Nottingham-born bestselling author is among those in our area recognised in the New Year Honours List 2025. A college boss, Paralympians and dedicated campaigners all feature in a list which this year comprises more than 30 people from the East Midlands.
People from the region make up 3% of the total number of recipients this year, according to the Cabinet Office, which released the list on Monday (December 30). One of those to feature on this year’s list is Robert Harris, who spent his early life on a Nottingham council estate.
His successful literary career has seen several of his books, most recently Conclave, being transported to the big screen. Among those recognised for their community work in Nottinghamshire is Andrew Cropley, who serves as the chief executive at West Nottinghamshire College, based in Mansfield.
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Each and every day, ordinary people go out and do extraordinary things for their communities. They represent the very best of the UK and that core value of service which I put at the centre of everything this government does.
“The New Year Honours List celebrates more of these unsung heroes, and I thank them for their incredible contribution.” Below is a full list of those from Nottinghamshire to feature on the 2025 honours list, and you can read more about some of them here.
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Robert Harris has been made a CBE
(Image: Ian West/PA Wire)
Robert Harris, born in Nottingham
Novelist
For services to literature
Sonia Penny Briscoe OBE, Nottingham
Chef de Mission, Paralympics GB
For services to Paralympic sport
Professor Linda Mary Field
Emeritus Fellow, Rothamsted Research and Honorary Professor, University of Nottingham
For services to protecting crops and to the environment
Professor Thomas Anthony Rodden FRS FREng, Nottingham
Professor of Computing and lately Chief Scientific Advisor, Department for Culture, Media and Sport
For services to science, to technology and to academia
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Tully Kearney has been made an MBE
(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
Carl Cavers, Nottingham
Founder, Sumo Group
For services to the video games industry
Tully Kearney MBE, born in Nottingham
British Paralympic swimmer
For services to swimming
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Penny and Dave Watson
(Image: Family Handout)
Andrew Cropley
Principal and Chief Executive, West Nottinghamshire College and Chair, Mansfield Place Board
For services to the community of Ashfield and Mansfield
Professor Sara Leslie Kenyon, Nottingham
Professor of Evidence Based Maternity Care, University of Birmingham
For services to midwifery
Penny Watson, Tollerton
Dementia campaigner and wife of former Notts County and England star Dave Watson
For services to dementia care in football
Peter Worth, Nottingham
For services to short track speed skating
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
Suzey Joseph, the homeless health clinical lead at the Nottingham City Care Partnership
(Image: Framework)
Jagrupe Binnig, Newark
For services to the community in Tuxford, Nottinghamshire
Suzey Joseph, Nottingham
Homeless Health Clinical Lead, Nottingham City Care Partnership
For services to tackling homelessness in Nottinghamshire
Kelvin Langford, Newark
Volunteer Coordinator, Civilian Services Contingent
For services to the Civilian Services Contingent and to the veteran community in Newark
Dr David Nunn, Kimberley
Lately researcher, Nottinghamshire County Council
For voluntary service to the Great War Memorial.
Margaret Waring, Sutton-in-Ashfield
Independent Living Manager, Portland Charity
For services to people with disabilities or social care needs