Their dedication and achievements have earned them one of the highest honours the nation can award.
In this updated article, we’ll revisit the stand-out recipients from the New Year’s Honours List 2025, as well as spotlight the 2026 cohort, including new and notable winners who have garnered recognition for their national impact and personal dedication.
If you feel inspired to nominate someone yourself, our panel of experts here at Awards Intelligence can help with each step of the process. They’re here to support you and give you the best chance of ensuring your personal hero is appreciated. Read on to learn more.
A Look Back: Highlights from the 2025 New Year Honours
Last year, more than 1,200 individuals across sport, the arts, health, business and community work were recognised at every level of the honours system. As the sun rises on a new year, we see this culture of recognition continue into 2026, with some new names and faces who have worked tirelessly to better the lives of others and be where they are today.
Below, we reminisce on some of the most noteworthy people on this list:
- Sir Kazuo Ishiguro: Celebrated as a Companion of Honour for his literary contributions.
- Dame Jacqueline Wilson: Made Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year’s Honours List 2025.
- Sir Stephen Fry: Acknowledged for his work in aid of mental health awareness and environmental impact.
- Sir Gareth Southgate: Knighted for his leadership in football as England manager, especially during the Euros.
- Keely Hodgkinson MBE: The Olympic 800m champion and BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024, honoured for her athletic excellence.
- Former sub-postmasters with OBEs: Lee Castleton, Jo Hamilton, Christopher Head and Seema Misra honoured for their role in exposing the Horizon scandal miscarriage of justice.
- Alan Titchmarsh CBE: Awarded for services to horticulture and charity, reflecting decades of broadcasting and gardening influence.
From literary accomplishments and sporting greats to public service heroes, these awards demonstrate the breadth of contributions valued by the British Honours System.
What’s New in the 2026 New Year’s Honours List?
The 2026 New Year’s Honours List, which includes 1,157 recipients, was officially published in The Gazette in late December 2025. This annual event recognises individuals whose work has made a profound difference in their communities, industries, and beyond.
Spotlight: Notable 2026 Recipients
Here we highlight some of the most talked-about names and emerging honourees from the 2026 list:
Knighthoods and Damehoods: Cultural Icons and Historic Figures
Sir Idris Elba
A widely critically acclaimed actor, best known for his roles on Luther and The Wire, Sir Idris Elba has been knighted for his charity work for young people.
Elba has demonstrated his dedication to improving the lives of young people, notably through founding the Elba Hope Foundation, which provides grants to organisations across the UK, the US and Africa, as well as his longstanding anti-knife-crime campaigning. Elba’s powerful use of his platform is inspiring and certainly worthy of this level of recognition.
Dame Meera Syal
Recognised for her trailblazing work in comedy, drama, literature and charity, including Goodness Gracious Me and multiple novels and plays, Dame Meera Syal’s influence spans decades. Her community role as an ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society, as well as her support for Kisharon, which is a charity dedicated to Jewish children, young people, and adults with learning disabilities and autism, has been incredibly influential.
Already an MBE (1997) and CBE (2015), Syal’s announcement as a Damehood reminds the British public that she remains a powerful voice in representation and advocacy.
Dame Jayne Torvill & Sir Christopher Dean
The legendary ice dancing duo achieved global prominence at the 1984 Olympic Winter Games in Sarajevo, where they won gold, and have subsequently inspired generations of skaters to explore the beauty of the sport for themselves. Their impact on British sport and culture has been undeniable, becoming prime examples of what the British Honours System is all about.
Honorary Dame Sarina Wiegman
As manager of the England women’s football team, Wiegman received an honorary damehood after leading the Lionesses to win back-to-back European titles. This is a rare distinction for a non-British national, and thus representative of her outstanding dedication to our nation.
Sir Tristram Hunt
The former Labour MP, historian and Director of the V&A Museum was knighted for his services to the arts, heritage and culture.
MBEs: Celebrating Creative and Sporting Achievement
Cynthia Erivo
Awarded an MBE after an extraordinary career on stage and the silver screen, including The Colour Purple, and most recently Wicked, Erivo’s accolades span Emmy, Grammy and Tony awards. Her commitment to representation and making a difference in the entertainment field is truly deserving of a royal honour.
Lionesses Stars
Ella Toone, Keira Walsh, Alex Greenwood and Georgia Stanway were recognised with MBEs for their integral roles in England’s 2025 European Championship victory, underscoring a continued celebration of women’s sport.
Other notable MBEs include Olympic gold medal climber Toby Roberts, the youngest recipient on this list, and significant community figures such as Lydia Tischler for her services to Holocaust remembrance and child psychology advocacy.
OBEs and CBEs: Broad Impact Beyond the Spotlight
Richard Osman, OBE
For services to literature and broadcasting, Osman’s books, particularly The Thursday Murder Club series, have achieved global popularity, with screen adaptations further extending his cultural reach.
Warwick Davis, OBE
Warwick Davis, a star best known for his roles in the Harry Potter film franchise as Professor Flitwick and Griphook, has been honoured for his services to drama and charity. His advocacy work with Little People UK and his longstanding contributions to the big screen and performing arts set Davis apart as a truly remarkable individual.
Betty Brown, OBE
Betty Brown is the oldest surviving victim of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal. She has been awarded an OBE for her part in the campaign against wrongful prosecutions.
Leah Williamson, CBE
England captain and two-time European champion Leah Williamson is a key figure in women’s football and is being honoured for her leadership.
Unsung Heroes and Community Champions
While high-profile names often dominate headlines, the honours system is equally defined by those whose impact is felt closest to home.
The heart of the Honours List has always been the countless everyday heroes whose quiet dedication changes lives at a community level, from volunteers and educators to local charity founders.
This year’s list includes countless professionals and community champions whose service epitomises the spirit of public recognition. Here are some notable examples:
- Jeff Edwards: After surviving the Aberfan disaster at age 8, Edwards has dedicated his time to charity and to the community in Aberfan.
- Bobby Seagull, MBE: A Maths teacher who has campaigned for better support for public libraries.
- John Hearn, BEM: Honoured for his services to judo and local community work in north-east England, Hearn is also the oldest recipient on the list
And many, many others whose dedication transforms lives quietly but powerfully. The full list has been published by The London Gazette.
How the New Year’s Honours List Works
Understanding how honourees are selected gives even greater meaning to the list itself. The process begins with public nominations, where anyone can nominate a person whose contributions have been exceptional.
The Main Honours Committee, comprised of subject-specialist Independent Committees, works together to agree on a final list of recommendations. This list is then sent to the Prime Minister and subsequently the King for final approval. Each nominee is measured against a strict set of criteria, ensuring that only the most deserving people are recognised.
At Awards Intelligence, we specialise in professional nomination support, meaning we can help craft a compelling submission that clearly conveys a nominee’s impact and achievements. Backed by years of experience, we go to great lengths to ensure your application grabs attention and provides an accurate and captivating account of the nominee’s efforts.
2025 vs 2026: What’s Changed?
While the core values of the honours system stay the same, through recognising public service, innovation and achievement, each year brings new and enthralling stories to light. In the New Year’s Honours List 2026, there’s a continued emphasis on:
- National and international impact
- Representation from community-driven initiatives
- Cultural and creative excellence
Comparing both years shows how the Honours List evolves alongside society, highlighting the possibilities of what we can achieve when we work together to make a difference.
Celebrating Achievements with Awards Intelligence
The 2026 New Year Honours List reaffirms a tradition of recognition that honours excellence at all levels, from globally recognised figures to local champions whose work is transformative, regardless of the scale.
If you or someone you know deserves recognition for extraordinary achievement, nominations are open year-round, and Awards Intelligence is here to support you every step of the way. Get in touch with a member of our team today to get started.