The King’s Birthday Honours List is announced on the Monarch’s official birthday in June and celebrates outstanding individuals making an impact in the UK across all fields. From sport, TV and broadcasting, to charity, business and entrepreneurs, and community volunteers.
Recipients are nominated before being judged by designated honours committees, the Prime Minister and, finally, The King. The awards are then announced in the London Gazette on the King’s birthday.
Honours are awarded twice a year, on the King’s Official Birthday and on New Year’s Day for the New Year's Honours list. 1200 people received Honours in this year’s Birthday honours list. Around 80% of these are members of the community and business leaders making a big impact on their community and society.
Who’s On the 2025 Honours List?
1000+ community heroes across the UK have been recognised in this year’s Birthday Honours. These are ordinary people, going out of their way to dedicate their time, money and effort to help those in their communities.
On the list, is 11-year-old Carmela Chillery-Watson, the youngest to be awarded an MBE, for services to Charitable Fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy UK. Carmela has raised over £400k across 20 campaigns, including her ‘Wonder Woman Walk’ where she would walk 1km then 9km in her wheelchair – at just 11 years old!
With 25 years in the health, social care, and housing sectors, Isaac Samuels has been has been awarded an OBE for their determination to fight against inequality, stigma, and systemic injustice. Two London Fire Brigade staff members, Assistant Commissioner for Operational Resilience and Control, Patrick Goulbourne, and Dawne Stephenson, Professional Standards Manager, have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025 for their contributions to the fire and rescue sector.
The celebrities and well-known names grabbing the headlines this year include former England football captain David Beckham who has realised his dream of receiving a Knighthood, with legendary actor Gary Oldman and renowned musician Robert Daltrey joining him.
Strictly Come Dancing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have been awarded MBEs for their services to broadcasting, alongside revered author Pat Barker and talented singer Elaine Page who have received Damehoods.
Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs on the List
The Honours List also recognises outstanding business leaders and entrepreneurs from hugely successful UK brands.
Roisin Currie, CEO, Greggs PLC
Roisin Currie, CEO of iconic high-street bakery Greggs has received a CBE for services to hospitality.
After a period of rapid expansion, driven by Roisin’s passion and advocacy for social mobility and talent development, Greggs is on track to double sales by 2026. This honour recognises her determination and commitment to the industry.
“I am delighted and honoured to receive this recognition. I would like to thank the amazing teams I have worked with throughout my career, particularly the 33,000 colleagues across Greggs who work together to serve our customers so brilliantly, day in and day out and truly champion the hospitality sector.”
Roisin Currie CBE
Craig Beaumont, Executive Director, Federation of Small Business
Executive Director at the Federation of Small Business (FSB), Craig Beaumont, has been awarded an OBE for services to small businesses.
Craig has been instrumental in FSBs launch of pioneering programmes to support veterans, LGBT+, and disabled communities, to seek employment or self-employment, plus mental health initiatives to support all SMEs. He’s also active in governing bodies and parliamentary groups as a voice for the small business community.
“I’m still rather floored by this but am so grateful to be appointed an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List. Working for the small business movement in our country is a privilege, and every day I see entrepreneurs drive local growth and create jobs. Having supported them for a decade, this is the icing on the cake. Thank you to FSB’s volunteers and my colleagues. And congratulations to everyone else recognised, today.”
Craig Beaumont OBE
Dame Emma Bridgewater CBE, Founder, Emma Bridgewater Potteries
Founder of her namesake brand, Emma Bridgewater CBE has received a Damehood for her services to ceramics.
The Emma Bridgewater brand is loved across the country, retailing online, in-store and through high-street retailers. After being founded in 1985 the brand has gone from strength to strength, becoming a B Corp in 2022 and continuing to grow, support the Great British high street and create jobs.
“I’m honoured and also very happy about the award: what a marvellous accolade this is – for the people, and the pottery traditions of Stoke on Trent! My forty years in the Potteries has been a marvellous and unlikely adventure- I feel privileged indeed to have learned about ceramics from the long suffering, resilient and excellent people of Stoke.”
Dame Emma Bridgewater CBE
Find out if you or someone you know could be eligible for an Honour here.
What are the Different Type of Honours
The main Honours given out for the Birthday Honours List are;
- Knighthood (KBE)
- Damehood (DBE),
- Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
- British Empire Medal (BEM)
Knighthoods and Damehoods are the highest level of Honours an individual can receive. If a person is Knighted they become a Sir, and if you receive a Damehood you become a Dame.
MBE, OBE, CBE are awarded to individuals making notable contributions in their own specific areas of activity. And are placed after the individual's names. The honours committee decides which level an individual receives.
A BEM is given to people who deserve merit for their impact. In the 2026 Birthday Honours, founder of Stapleford based Sewing Belle, Elaine Bell, received a BEM for services to the Stapleford High Street.
“I’m truly honoured to receive the British Empire Medal. This recognition means so much – not just to me, but to the wonderful sewing community I am, lucky to be part of. Sharing skills, creativity, and connection through sewing has brought so much joy, and I’m proud to have contributed to something that helps bring people together.”
How Do People Get Honoured?
Anyone can nominate someone for a King’s Honour. The UK Honours system exists to celebrate people who go above and beyond in public life, business, charity, or service to their community.
The Honours process doesn’t allow for self-nomination, all recipients of an Honour must be nominated by someone, with letters of support from others included in the nomination when you submit.
Here’s how it works:
- Choose your nominee.
This can be anyone making an exceptional impact in any field as long as they live or work in the UK or for UK interests overseas.
- Gather the evidence.
You’ll need to show how they’ve made a difference, by getting other supporters to write letters, collect newspaper clippings, personal stories and photos. Anything you can provide that backs up what you are saying that person has achieved.
- Submit your nomination online.
Use the official UK Government nomination form, available on the Government website, to bring the story together by answering the questions asked and providing the supporting letters and materials.
- Wait for the decision.
Once submitted, your nomination is sent to an Honours committee, who will manage the process of reviewing it.
The Honours Committee will be made up of independent experts and civil servants focussed on a specific area related to the nominee.
Committees recommend candidates, recommended nominations then go to the Prime Minister, then to HM The King for final approval.
It’s deliberately rigorous to keep the process fair, balanced, and merit-based and typically takes 12-18 months for recipients to find out they’ve received one.
The Value of Receiving an Honour
Honours are the highest level of personal accolade a person can achieve.
Receiving an Honour positions you and your associated organisations as nationally recognised for excellence. It validates your integrity, values, and social impact and can open doors to new partnerships, board roles, and media features.
The best thing? An Honour is a lifelong credential, and depending on the level of Honour achieved you may even be able to upgrade it by continuing to make an impact on a bigger scale.
How to Nominate Someone for an Honour
Think someone you know deserves to be recognised by The King?
You can get started on their nomination right now. The Honours process is always open, and there is no deadline to submit by… but crafting an honours nomination takes time so if you think the time is right, here’s what to do next:
- Check your Nominees eligibility by completing our form here.
Answer the questions in as much detail as you can, and submit to our team for review. - Get our expert recommendation
We have a great track-record helping individuals to receive an Honour; we know exactly what the Honours committees are looking for in a winning story.
We will review your completed eligibility form, and let you know whether we believe your nominee is a good fit. We may offer to have a call with you to learn more and discuss your options.
We’ve had the pleasure of supporting CEOs, entrepreneurs, and community leaders, to achieve their Honours.
It's a real joy to learn someone’s story, hear from their nearest and dearest friends, family and colleagues, and build a nomination that showcases their achievements.
If you have any questions, get in touch.
