Public life
The University of Manchester community in the 2026 Birthday Honours
Twenty-five members of the University of Manchester community - alumni, staff and supporters - were recognised in the 2026 Birthday Honours, from a Companion of the Bath and a Knight Grand Cross to CBEs, OBEs, MBEs and a British Empire Medal.
· Honoria
The 2026 Birthday Honours recognised 25 members of the University of Manchester community - alumni, staff and supporters - across public service, healthcare, education, music, business and the voluntary sector.
The senior honours
Sarah Munby, a board member and former Permanent Secretary, was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath for public service (Wikipedia). Sir Jon Cunliffe, an alumnus and former Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, received a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire, also for public service (Wikipedia).
Commanders (CBE)
Among the CBEs were the conductor Paul McCreesh, for services to music and music education (Wikipedia); patient-safety campaigner Merope Mills, whose campaign led to Martha's Rule; and Dr Richard Vautrey, former President of the Royal College of General Practitioners (Wikipedia).
Officers (OBE)
OBEs went to Robin Gisby for services to the rail network, Rachel Hollis for services to nursing, Professor Janet Lord for services to education, and Rohan Malik for services to business and professional services.
Members (MBE) and a British Empire Medal
The MBEs spanned charity, healthcare, engineering and the community: Abigail Shapiro, Nafiza Anwar, Esther Barratt, Sara Barr-Frost, Professor Stephen Leveson, Dr Colin Prosser, Paul Seddon, Rabbi Dr Norman Solomon (Wikipedia), Paul Trevatt and Karen Whittaker. Dr Katie Misselbrook, a consultant anaesthetist at Alder Hey, received the British Empire Medal for services to children and young people.
The awards sit among the 2026 Birthday Honours List. Read the full University of Manchester announcement here.