Excellence in Governance: Colleagues Recognised in the King's New Year's Honours 2025
As we welcome the new year and the start of the spring term, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to our colleagues in school and trust governance who have been honoured in the King's New Year's Honours for their hard work and exceptional dedication to the education of young people.
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Ruth Mary Agnew, Chief Governance and Central Support Officer, Co-Op Academies Trust. For services to Education (Warrington, Cheshire)
James Coyle, Chair of Trustees, Blessed Holy Family Catholic Academy Trust, London Borough of Harrow. For services to Education (London, Greater London)
Alison Luise Durban, Trustee, Gesher School, London. For services to Children and Young People with Special Education Needs (London, Greater London)
The Reverend Dr. Kenneth Victor John Hopkins, Chair of Trustees, Heart of Mercia Multi Academy Trust, Hereford. For services to Education (Hereford, Herefordshire)
Alastair John Kingsley, Chair of Trustees, Hampton Academies Trust, Cambridgeshire. For services to Education (Peterborough, Cambridgeshire)
Christine Anne Lyness, Governor, Ashton Sixth Form College, Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester. For services to Education (Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester)
Mark Gerald Mitchell, Lately Chair of Trustees, Solent Academies Trust. For services to Education (Southsea, Hampshire)
Sarah Lucy Sultman, Trustee, Gesher School, London. For services to Children and Young People with Special Education Needs (London, Greater London)
Helen Ruth Wardale, Chair, Apollo Academies Trust, Norfolk. For services to Education (North Walsham, Norfolk)
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
Marlene Hilda Burt, Governor, Christ the King Sixth Form College, Bexley, London. For services to Further Education (London, Greater London)
Ann Veronica Harvey, Lately Nursery Teacher and Chair of Governors, Bentilee Nursery, Stoke-on-Trent. For services to Early Years (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire)
Emma Balchin, NGA Chief Executive, said:“As the new year begins and we embrace a fresh school term, I am delighted to celebrate the remarkable achievements of dedicated school and trust governance volunteers who have been recognised in the King's New Year Honours list.
These honourees exemplify the unwavering commitment to education that defines those in governance roles. Their recognition highlights the contribution governance makes in shaping a brighter, more equitable future for the next generation.
A special mention and thanks to Ruth Agnew and Helen Wardle, who were part of our amazing NLG community for their invaluable contributions. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all those honoured and thank them for all they have done and will no doubt continue to do to raise the profile of and strengthen school and trust governance”
Making an honours nomination
How to nominate a governor, trustee or governance professional for a National Honour.
