Celebrating graduates conferred in the New Year Honours list 2026

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We are very proud that a number of exceptional University of Liverpool alumni have been recognised in the King’s New Years Honours list, reflecting the remarkable impact our community continues to make across society.

The honours celebrate individuals who make significant achievements in public life or have served Britain.

Spotlight on our graduates

Among our distinguished community, Professor David Dunn (BA (Hons) Political Theory and Institutions 1985) has received an MBE for services to military education and to recruitment.

Professor Dunn, who works for the University of Birmingham, is the chair of the West Midlands Military Education Committee and has strengthened the link between the Committee and the Ministry of Defence. Professor Dunn also works closely with the University of Birmingham’s service units and previously taught at the Royal Miliary Academy Sandhurst.

We are also proud to see that Dr Graeme Allan (MBChB 1982) was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the community in Southport.  

Dr Graeme Allan is currently the Volunteer Medical Director at the Southport Macmillan Centre and Cancer Lead GP in Sefton with the Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance. Dr Allan co-founded the Southport Macmillan Centre and established a local cancer navigator service in Southport and Formby, ensuring all local newly diagnosed cancer patients have access to support, including help with their emotional and lifestyle needs through a referral from their GP.

Janice Monty (PG Diploma 1995), a champion of young people and the Wirral, has been awarded a British Empire Medal in recognition of her five decades of work supporting a number of organisations, including including Viking, YMCA and Barnardo’s. Janice is currently the Trustee and Chief Executive Officer for Shaftesbury Youth Club and the Chief Executive of Tranmere Rovers in the Community.

Arnold Lewis (BSc 1963, BSc Physics 1964) was awarded a British Empire Medal for his services to the Jewish community in Liverpool.

You can see the full list of recipients from our community below.

We need your help. We’re striving towards being a World Top 100 University by the time we celebrate our 150th anniversary in 2031.

We are looking for alumni and supporters who work in academia, or in organisations that recruit graduates, to participate in the QS World University Rankings reputation survey in Spring 2026. If that’s you, please register your interest here.

Proud of our community

Speaking about the graduates who have been conferred, Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, said: "We are immensely proud to celebrate these exceptional individuals. Their achievements bring honour to our entire University community and I know their meaningful contributions will inspire our students and future generations to come.”

Full list of recipients

We extend our warmest congratulations to all members of our community recognised in the New Years Honours 2026:

Alumni

  • Professor David Dunn (BA Hons Political Theory and Institutions 1985) – MBE for services to military education and to recruitment.

  • Dr Graeme Allan (MBChB 1982) – British Empire Medal for services to the community in Southport.
  • Janice Monty (PG Diploma 1995) – British Empire Medal for services to the community on the Wirral.

  • Arnold Lewis (BSc 1963, BSc Physics 1964) – British Empire Medal for services to the Jewish community in Liverpool.

  • Andy Cant (CE Veterinary Business Management 2024) – British Empire Medal for services to music in Orkney.

  • Dr Dorothy Clayton (BA Hons History 1973, PhD 1980) – British Empire Medal for voluntary service.

  • Professor Jackie Dunne (BA Hons Hispanic Studies 1987) – MBE for services to Higher Education.

  • Anna Selby (BSc Hons Professional Health Studies 1997) – OBE for services to Adult Social Care.

  • Dr Andrew Trevett (Diploma Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1991) – MBE for services to Medicine, to Diving, and to the community of Orkney.

  • Councillor Peter Dunphy (BA Hons Political Theory and Institutions 1988) – MBE for services to the amenity conservation and volunteering.

Honorary Senior Fellow

  • Dr Ava Easton, Honorary Senior Fellow in the University’s Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology - MBE for services to people affected by Encephalitis.  Dr Easton is the Chief Executive of Encephalitis International.

Staff and honorary graduate

Find your classmate

We celebrate not just these honours, but every graduate from our wonderful community who contribute to our society in so many varied and remarkable ways.

If you’d like to find your classmate and what they’re up to now, browse our Class Notes section.