An Olympic champion and the man who led Leicester's response to Covid-19 are among those recognised in the 2025 New Year Honours list. Leading the way for Leicestershire in the King's honours is Professor Paul Steven Monks from Leicester who is made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) for his services to Science in Government as Director General and Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Two prominent Leicester figures have been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in this year's list.
Former Leicester City Council Public Health Director Professor Ivan Browne DL, who steered the city through the longest coronavirus lockdown of anywhere in the county , is honoured as is Blue Cross former Chair Timothy Henry Ralph Porter. They have been recognised for their services to Public Health and Animal Welfare, respectively. The honours come in a remarkable year for British sport, with Team GB securing 65 medals at the Paris Olympics and ParalympicsGB bringing home an impressive 124 medals.
Reflecting this sporting success, several local athletes are among the recipients. READ MORE: Volunteer who serves thousands of cups of tea 'humbled' by New Year honour Nine people from across Leicestershire and Rutland have been awarded MBEs. Among them are Paralympic athlete David Steven Ellis from Loughborough who won gold in the men's PTVI event at the 2024 Summer Paralympics and rower Lauren Henry from Lutterworth who took home a gold as part .