Queen’s Birthday Honours

Members of the Cardiff University alumni community have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Dr Quentin Sandifer (MBBCh 1985, MPH 1995), Executive of Public Health Services and Medical Director at Public Health Wales, has been awarded an OBE for services to Public Health in Wales particularly during the Covid-19 response.

Dr Philippa Gregory (Hon Fellow 2015), author of popular novels such as The Other Boleyn Girl, was awarded a CBE for services to literature and charity in the UK and Gambia. Dr Gregory told the PA news agency: “I was incredibly surprised and incredibly pleased and of course deeply honoured, and it’s just a real thrill.”

Mr Peter Gough (BSc 1977, MSc 1979), Principal Adviser at Natural Resources Wales, was awarded an OBE for services to sustainable fisheries management. Mr Gough’s work looks at fresh water and migratory fish work management and focuses on safeguarding fish populations for the future. Speaking to South Wales Argus about his OBE, Peter said: “I wasn’t expecting it at all, it was a wonderful surprise…I am really pleased but it was one of those ‘I can’t believe it’ moments.”

Miss Sharmin Joarder (BSc 1998), Director for Business Readiness within the Cabinet Office, was awarded an OBE for public service and Mr Michael Newman (BScEcon 1997), chief executive at the Association of Jewish Refugees, was awarded an OBE for services to Holocaust Remembrance and Education.

Mr Sumit Goyal (LLM 2010) is a Consultant Oncoplastic Surgeon at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and has spent over a decade striving to improve breast services, establishing the One Stop Breast Clinic in Llandough. He was awarded an MBE for services to breast cancer and Cardiff Breast Centre Charity.

Mr Paul Kalle-Grover (BSc 1998) is Chair at Liverpool China Partnership and has been awarded an MBE for services to International Trade and Investment.

Dr John Llewelyn (MBBCh 1980), Consultant Physician in Neurology and hon. Senior Lecturer at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board Organisation, was awarded an MBE for services to Medicine in Wales.

Mrs Jenni McDonnell (BSc 1992) is the Knowledge Transfer Manager at the Knowledge and Transfer Network and has worked for almost a decade helping thousands of businesses reduce carbon emissions through improved thermal efficiency. She was awarded an MBE for services to the green economy.

Dr Claire Prosser (BSc 2008, DEdPsy 2020) is the Founder of Spectropolis, a charitable project dedicated to helping autistic people, their family members and the professionals who support them. Dr Prosser was awarded a BEM for services to children and adults with autism spectrum disorder and their families.

Dr Elizabeth Davies (MSc 2017), Consultant Geriatrician at Morriston Hospital in Wales, recognised at early in the pandemic that the elderly community would need extra support and services. She worked with the Emergency Department to set up a unit that could receive elderly patients straight from triage, which avoided unnecessary hospital admissions, reduced waiting time and shielded older people from other patients. Dr Davies was awarded a BEM for services to the NHS and older patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Upon receiving her BEM, she said: “I am very pleased and humbled to receive this award that recognises the work of not only myself, but the whole of the Elderly Care and Emergency Department team at Morriston.”

Dr Jeremy Williams (PhD 2013) is an opera singer who has appeared in more than 60 operatic roles and has been awarded a BEM for services to music and charity. And in the Military Division of the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, Chaplain to the Forces (1st Class) Reverend Andrew James (MTh 2007) MBE was awarded as Officer. 

We are so proud of our Cardiff alumni community and extend a huge congratulations to all those who have been recognised for their dedication and achievements.