Over 30 Indian-origin professionals have been recognized in King Charles’ 2025 New Year Honours List, which was released on Friday. The list includes community leaders, campaigners, academics, and medical professionals, highlighting contributions across various sectors. Among the honorees is Ranil Malcolm Jayawardena, a Conservative Member of Parliament of Sri Lankan and Indian heritage, who has been awarded a Knighthood for his political and public service. He joins Gareth Southgate, the former England men’s football team manager, who was also knighted for his services to football.
The 2025 honours list includes more than 1,200 recipients, with notable recognition in sports, healthcare, academia, and voluntary services. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised the list, emphasizing the importance of ordinary people doing extraordinary things for their communities. Among those receiving the prestigious Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) are Satwant Kaur Deol for her work in further education, Charles Pritam Singh Dhanowa for services to competition law, and Professor Sneh Khemka for his contributions to healthcare, science, and technology.
Indian-origin individuals recognized with CBEs include Leena Nair, Global CEO of Chanel, for her work in retail; Mayank Prakash, President of the British Computing Society, for his advancement of technology; and Purnima Murthy Tanuku, CEO of the National Day Nurseries Association, for her services to early years education.
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBEs) include cardiologist Professor Sanjay Arya, Professor Nandini Das for interdisciplinary research, and CEO Tarsem Singh Dhaliwal for his services to the Welsh economy and charity. Other OBE recipients include Jasmine Dotiwala for her contributions to broadcasting and diversity, and several others for their work in law, public service, and education.
Among the Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBEs) and Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEMs) are tech expert Dalim Kumar Basu, rheumatologist Professor Bhaskar Dasgupta, and paediatric haematologist Professor Ajay Jaikishore Vora. Notable BEM recipients include community workers Sanjib Bhattacharjee and Jagrupe Binnig, postal worker Hemandra Hindocha, and charity worker Jaswinder Kumar. Musician Balbir Singh Khanpur Bhujhangy was recognized for his contributions to Bhangra music and Punjabi culture.
The Companion of Honour was awarded to author and screenwriter Sir Kazuo Ishiguro for his services to literature. Additionally, Stephen Fry, the English actor, broadcaster, and writer, received a Knighthood for his work in mental health awareness. Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden highlighted that the New Year Honours list celebrates the unsung heroes who contribute selflessly to their communities, with 54% of recipients having undertaken outstanding community work. This year’s list also sees 12% of recipients from ethnic minority backgrounds.
