Cardiff community recognised in New Year’s Honours 2022

The Queen’s New Year’s Honours List for 2022 recognises the outstanding achievements of many members of the Cardiff University community.

Sir Paul Nurse (Hon Fellow 2014) is a Nobel Prize winner, geneticist, cell biologist, long-time member of the Council of Science and Technology and creator of the Francis Crick Institute. He was awarded Companion of Honour for services to science and medicine in the UK and abroad.

Dr Neil Wooding (PhD 2003) was awarded a CBE for services to social justice, equality and the community in Wales. Neil was a Chief People Officer for the Ministry of Justice and works as a consultant to the Cabinet Office. Dr Neil told the Western Telegraph that he was ‘delighted, but humbled’ to receive such an honour.

Mr Alan Brace (BA 1983), NHS Wales Director of Finance, was awarded an OBE for services to the NHS and the COVID-19 response in Wales.

Mr Graham Edwards (MBA 1992) received an OBE for services to business and the community in Wales. He is the Chief Executive for Wales and West Utilities and has been a passionate advocate for equal opportunities and helping others to realise their potential.

Mr Martin Lewis (PGdip 1998, Hon Fellow 2017) is a campaigning journalist and founder of MoneySavingExpert.com and the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute charity. He was recognised with a CBE for services to broadcasting and consumer rights. Mr Lewis tweeted that he was both shocked and thrilled to receive the honour.

Wow. I've been upgraded! Shocked & thrilled to get a CBE

Huge THANKS to all who nominated me, it was unnecessary, but lovely – and to all who follow & support my work. I hope it helps

Best bit (Covid permitting) is this time my little one’s old enough to be with when I get it! pic.twitter.com/7BYY4K8pMn

— Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) January 1, 2022

Mr Sanjiv Vedi (BSc 1984) is the Assistant Director and Head of the Office of the Chief Social Care in Wales. He was honoured this year with an OBE for public, charitable and voluntary services.

Dr Seema Arif (PGCert 2011) was awarded an MBE for services to healthcare amongst the Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. She has worked tirelessly to confront and challenge cultural barriers to healthcare and to shine a light on health education in BAME communities.

Professor Euan Hails (EdD 2012), a consultant nurse and professor who led the development of the national Early Intervention Psychosis (EIP) services across Wales, received an MBE for services to children and young people’s mental health.

Reverend Steven Bunting (BTh 2012) was awarded an MBE for charitable services to the community in Swansea. Reverend Bunting is a vocal advocate for those in need and suffering from food poverty. He posted a tweet after receiving his MBE, expressing his gratitude.

https://twitter.com/StevenBunting/status/1477923213162303489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1477923213162303489%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.cardiff.ac.uk%2Falumni%2F%3Fp%3D7918lang%3Dcy

Dr Edward Roberts (MBBCh 1970) was awarded an MBE for services to medicine and to the community in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot.

Mr Craiger Solomans (BSc 2011) received an MBE for public service for his work as Lead Analyst in the Technical Advisory Cell for the Welsh Government.

Miss Katherine Sparkes (BA 2002), a Clinical Academic Fellow at Cardiff University and Founder of Flamingo Chicks, was awarded an MBE for services to children with disabilities and their families. Miss Sparkes told BristolWorld: “I felt both joy and disbelief. It was difficult keeping it a secret. I didn’t tell anybody until it was announced.”

Dr Bnar Talabani (MBBCh 2013) is a Wellcome Trust GW4 Clinal Academic Fellow at Cardiff University and an Immunology Scientist who has been tackling vaccine myths on TikTok. She was awarded an MBE for services to the NHS and to the ethnic minority communities in Wales, particularly during COVID-19.

She told the BBC: “It was and it still is a complete shock. I’m so grateful for the recognition but I also know there’s so many others that I’ve worked with who also deserve that recognition.”

Honoured & humbled to have been appointed #MBE in the #NewYearsHonoursList Thank you to my amazing colleagues at @muslimdoccymru @projecthalo @britsocimm who have worked tirelessly over the past year to combat #covidvaccine #misinformation. @gw4_cat @cardiffuni @CardiffMBBChC21 https://t.co/q83WkUlX1j

— Dr Bnar Talabani MBE (@bnar) December 31, 2021

Professor Nalin Chandra Wickramasinghe is former Cardiff University Professor and Head of Department of Applied Mathemematics and Mathematical Physics. He was awarded an MBE for services to science, astronomy and astrobiology.

Miss Linda Alexander (LLM 2003) is Deputy Director of nursing and was awarded a BEM for services to patient care and alternative workforce solutions in NHS Wales.

Miss Charlotte Butter (BA 2015) and Dr John Manly (MBBCh 2016), founders of DeliverAid, each received a BEM for services to frontline workers and the NHS during COVID-19.

Miss Ceri Jones (Dip 1995), Lead Community Diabetes Specialist Nurse at Cwm Taf Morganwg University Health Board, was honoured with a BEM for services to diabetes care. Miss Jones told Nursing Times: “It’s nice to be recognised but my team are there, doing the work too – they’re amazing.”

Dame Jennifer Harries (MPH 2000), Chief Executive for UK Health Security Agency, was awarded a DBE for outstanding service to public health. She played a vital role in the response to COVID, Ebola, Zika, monkeypox, MERS and the Novichok attacks.

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.