Alumni honoured in the King’s Birthday Honours 2024

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Dr Jasmin Paris on the Barkley Marathons trail (photograph: David Miller)

More than 10 Liverpool alumni were recently conferred with honours in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2024.

Among the esteemed alumni is athlete and veterinary graduate Dr Jasmin Paris MBE (BVSc 2008) who is recognised for her services to fell and long-distance running. Earlier this year Dr Paris became the first woman in history to complete the 100-mile Barkley Marathons in Tennessee.

Conferred alongside Dr Paris, is former professional cyclist and University honorary graduate, Dr Chris Boardman, Commissioner at Active Travel England who has been awarded a CBE for his services to active travel. Active Travel England encourages walking, wheeling and cycling to be the preferred choice of travel for people in England, with the goal of making 50% of trips in England’s towns and cities to be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2030.

Medicine graduate, Dr Helen Bonwick (MBChB 1988) was honoured with an OBE for services to palliative care. Dr Bonwick is Chair for the Association for Palliative Medicine of Great Britain and Ireland and works across Marie Curie Hospice Liverpool and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital. She has supported the University’s fourth-year medicine palliative placement through contributing to learning sessions, assessments and examinations.

Professor Richard Wakeford, who graduated with an undergraduate degree and PhD from our Physics Department, was awarded an OBE for his services to the advancement of the science of radiation protection.


Professor Matt Rosseinsky OBE (pictured left) and Professor Melita Gordon (pictured right)

Staff at the University also recognised include Professor of Global Health with the University of Liverpool and the Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Programme, Melita Gordon (MD Medical Microbiology 2008). Professor Gordon is recognised for her outstanding contribution as an expert in the speciality of Gastroenterology and General Medicine, who has made ground-breaking advancements with a profound impact on global health, particularly in Africa.

Professor of Inorganic Chemistry, Matt Rosseinsky has been awarded an OBE for services to materials chemistry research and innovation, whilst Emeritus Professor Callum Youngson, former Dean of the School of Dentistry and Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education at the University was recognised for his services to dental education.

We would like to congratulate all of our alumni who received honours in the King’s Birthday Honours 2024. The full list of those alumni recognised for their outstanding contributions is detailed here:

  • Richard Boyd (BSc Hons Politics 2001): Senior Policy Adviser, Department for Business and Trade; MBE for services to mental health
  • Dr Robert Grundy (BSc Hons Pharmacology 1996): Lately Chair, Matrix; MBE for services to science, technology and innovation policy
  • Professor Shane Johnson (BSc Hons Computer Science 1992, PhD Psychology 2001): Professor of Future Crime and Director, Dawes Centre for Future Crime, University College London; MBE for public service
  • David Jones (BA Hons Economics 1963): MBE for services to the community in Morland, Cumbria
  • Andy Marsh (BSc Hons Geography 1987): Chief Executive, College of Policing; Knight Bachelor for services to policing
  • Timothy Mills (BA Hons Management & Business Studies 1983): Executive Director, STEP Academy Trust, Thornton Heath, London Borough of Croydon; MBE for services to education
  • Suzannah Nichol (BA Hons Building Management and Technology 1993): Chief Executive Officer, Build UK; OBE for services to the construction industry
  • Jane Phythian (BEd Hons 1988): BEM for services to schools and to education in Lancashire.