The 2025 New Year Honours List has been unveiled, celebrating the remarkable achievements of over 1,200 individuals across the UK for their contributions to society. Honourees have been acknowledged for their roles as community champions and role models in fields including sports, healthcare, academia, and voluntary service. Among them, more than 60 British Asians have been recognised, including community leaders, campaigners, academics, and medical professionals. Notably, at least 30 of these honourees are Indian-origin professionals.
Among the Indian-origin awardees, notable recipients of the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) include Purnima Murthy Tanuku, CEO of the National Day Nurseries Association, for her services to early years education; Dr Jalal Bagherli, Co-Chair of the Semiconductor Advisory Panel, for his work in the semiconductor sector; and Leena Nair, Global Chief Executive Officer at Chanel and former Global Chief Human Resources Officer at Unilever, for her services to the retail and consumer sector.
Those honoured as Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) include Hina Bokhari, Co-Founder of the Naz Legacy Foundation, for her services to young people, charity, and interfaith relations; Nandini Das, Professor of Early Modern Literature at Oxford University, for her contributions to interdisciplinary research and public engagement; and Seema Misra, a campaigner for sub-postmasters, for her work towards justice.
The Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) include Mohammed Younis Chaudhry, Owner and Founder of Regal Food Products Plc, for his services to business and the community in Bradford; and Aman Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of Totus Digital, for his contributions to building and fire safety. Among the Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) are Nazim Ali, Founder of the Creating Smiles Hospital Gifts Initiative, for his charitable work with homeless and vulnerable individuals in Bradford, West Yorkshire; and Mohammad Fayyaz, Councillor at Chesham Town Council and Buckinghamshire Council, for his services to the community in Chesham.
In a significant highlight, Sadiq Khan has been knighted after securing a record third term as Mayor of London. Sir Sadiq expressed his gratitude, stating, “I couldn’t have dreamed when growing up on a council estate in south London that I would one day be mayor of London. It’s the honour of my life to serve the city I love, and I will continue to build the fairer, safer, greener, and more prosperous London that all of the capital’s communities deserve.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also reflected on the importance of the Honours List, saying, “Each and every day, ordinary people go out and do extraordinary things for their communities. They represent the very best of the UK and that core value of service which I put at the centre of everything this government does. The New Year Honours List celebrates more of these unsung heroes, and I thank them for their incredible contribution.”
Police officers, staff, and volunteers have also been recognised, with 43 police and law enforcement personnel from across the country being honoured for their exceptional contributions. Gavin Stephens, Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, remarked, “A huge congratulations and well done to all of those recognised for their service to policing in His Majesty the King’s New Year Honours List. Police bravery and dedication to duty have been at the forefront this year, and I am so pleased to see so many officers, staff, and volunteers awarded for their contributions to keeping our communities safe. Policing is a job like no other, requiring a tremendous amount of commitment, dedication, and courage, and I am proud to see the recipients recognised in this way.”
Mandy Sanghera
Mandy Sanghera has supported refugees and migrants in the UK and around the world for the last three decades. She played a pivotal role in rescuing over 400 Afghans after the Taliban offensive in 2021 and was involved in the evacuation of British nationals from Lebanon amid the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict. Her previous efforts includes aiding individuals from Ukraine, Syria, Sudan, and Iraq. She receives her honour for working with government departments in resettling British nationals from Hong Kong. Her partnership with local authorities across the country has been instrumental in providing support to asylum seekers.
When asked about her honour, she said “I’m incredibly grateful to be receiving an OBE. My work has always been led by my values of Sikhi and standing up for justice, promoting equality and serving others. For the last three decades I have been around the world advocating and supporting women and refugees, and it was an honour to support Afghans Sikhs escape persecution from the Taliban.”
Gian Singh Power
Gian Singh Power is the Founder and CEO of TLC Lions, a company committed to humanising workplaces through the power of storytelling. Starting his career at Deutsche Bank, Gian later qualified as a Chartered Accountant at PwC. Following a personal tragedy in 2015, he launched TLC Lions to create emotionally connected workplaces and inspire cultural change. Gian is also a board member of This Can Happen, the UK’s largest mental health conference, and a passionate advocate for workplace well-being and inclusion. He receives an OBE.
Gian said “Receiving this honour is very personal to me and I accept this award in memory of my father Ranjit Singh Power who taught me so much in my life and on behalf of everyone who has supported me on the journey. It’s been my mission at TLC Lions to make the world more human and to raise awareness of the importance of mental health, because by speaking up, we can change and save lives”.
Balbir Singh Khanpur Bhujhangy
Balbir Singh Khanpur Bhujhangy is a pioneering Punjabi musician and founder of the Bhujhangy Group, established in 1967 in Smethwick. Recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running bhangra artist in the UK, he has been performing for over 55 years. Balbir's music blends traditional Punjabi sounds with modern Western influences, significantly contributing to the development of bhangra music in the UK. He receives a BEM.
Balbir said “I am truly humbled and honoured to receive the British Empire Medal for my contribution to Bhangra music. Bhangra has been a lifelong passion, and it brings me immense joy to see it embraced on a global stage. I dedicate this award to everyone who has supported me throughout this journey, and I hope this inspires future generations to keep our traditions alive while continuing to innovate and share them with the world.”
Patricia Hope Hewitt, Chair, NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board honoured for or services to Healthcare Transformation
Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt has served as the independent chair of the NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board since July 2022, following her tenure as chair of the Norfolk & Waveney ICS/STP.
Her legacy in health policy includes serving as Secretary of State for Health from 2005 to 2007 under the Blair Government. During this time, she championed transformative initiatives such as introducing smoke-free legislation, launching the NHS Choices website, and leading the innovative public consultation Our Health, Our Care, Our Say, which laid the groundwork for themes later central to the NHS Five Year Forward View.
Hewitt’s political journey began in the 1970s when she emerged as a prominent left-wing figure and supporter of Tony Benn. Her activism drew the attention of MI5, which reportedly classified her as a communist sympathiser. She spent nine years as General Secretary of the National Council for Civil Liberties before becoming press secretary to Neil Kinnock, where she played a pivotal role in modernising the Labour Party.
In 1997, Hewitt made history by becoming the first female MP for Leicester West, a safe Labour seat in the East Midlands. She represented the constituency for 13 years. Her ascent in politics continued when she joined Tony Blair’s Cabinet in 2001 as President of the Board of Trade and Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. Four years later, she was appointed Health Secretary, where she left a lasting impact on public health and the NHS.
Knighthoods
The Right Honourable Ranil Malcolm Jayawardena – Lately Member of Parliament for North East Hampshire. For Political and Public Service.
The Right Honourable Sadiq Khan – Mayor of London. For Political and Public Service.
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Dr Jalal Bagherli – Co-Chair, Semiconductor Advisory Panel. For services to the Semiconductor Sector.
Dr Fazal Dad – Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Blackburn College, Lancashire. For services to Further Education.
Satwant Kaur Deol – Lately Principle and Chief Executive Officer, The Henley College, Oxfordshire. For services to Further Education.
Charles Pritam Singh Dhanowa OBE KC – Registrar, United Kingdom Competition Appeal Tribunal. For services to Competition Law.
Sehba Haroon Storey – Lately Principal Judge, Asylum Support Tribunal. For services to Diversity and Inclusion.
Professor Sneh Khemka – Surgeon, Business Leader, Investor and Chair, Qured, Habitual Healthcare and AllergyRhino. For services to Healthcare, to Science, and to Innovation and Technology.
Leena Nair – Global Chief Executive Officer, Chanel and lately Global Chief Human Resources Officer, Unilever. For services to the Retail and Consumer Sector.
Mayank Prakash – President, British Computing Society. For services to the Advancement of Technology Professionals.
Purnima Murthy Tanuku OBE – Chief Executive, National Day Nurseries Association. For services to Early Years Education.
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Professor Sanjay Arya – Medical Director and Consultant Cardiologist, Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Medical Director, Centre for Remediation, Support and Training. For services to Black and Minority Ethnic Doctors and Healthcare in North West England.
Hina Bokhari – Co-Founder, Naz Legacy Foundation. For services to Young People, to Charity and to Inter-Faith Relations.
Professor Nandini Das – Professor, Early Modern Literature and Culture and Tutorial Fellow, Exeter College, University of Oxford. For services to Interdisciplinary Research in the Humanities and to Public Engagement.
Darshini David – Chief Economics Correspondent, BBC and Author. For services to Economics
Tarsem Singh Dhaliwal – Chief Executive Officer, Iceland Foods. For services to the Welsh Economy, Retail and Charity.
Imtiaz Dharker – Poet, Artist and Video Filmmaker. For services to the Arts.
Jasmine Dotiwala – For services to Broadcasting, to Music and to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
Sarwat Tasneem Ebbett – Behavioural Change Consultant, Thrive Foundation and Volunteer. For services to Faith and to Integration.
Abdul Karim Fatehi MBE – Chief Executive Officer, United Corporation. For services to International Trade.
Monica Kohli – President, Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association UK and Chair, Indian Maritime Association UK. For services to Promoting Diversity in the Maritime Industry.
Soumya Majumdar – Head of Unit, Proceeds of Crime Division, Crown Prosecution Service. For services to Law and Order.
Seema Misra – Campaigner for Subpostmasters. For services to Justice.
Professor Shahina Pardhan – Founding Director, Vision and Eye Research Institute, Anglia Ruskin University. For services to Optometry and Preventing Blindness.
Ushma Manhar Patel MBE – Prime Minister’s Diary Manager, Prime Minister’s Office. For Public Service.
Gian Singh Power – Founder and Chief Executive Officer, TLC Lions. For services to Mental Health.
Sravya Rao – Deputy Director, Economy and Strategic Analysis, Department for Business and Trade. For Public Service.
Ubaid-ul Rehman – Senior Diversity and Inclusion Advisor, College of Policing and Co-Founder, Imaan and Chair, Goslings Badminton Club. For services to Equality in the LGBTQ+ Community.
Mandeep Kaur Sanghera – Project Manager and Philanthropist, Coventry. For services to Refugee Resettlement.
Savraj Singh Sidhu – Assistant Head, Ukraine Task Force, Security Policy and Operations, Ministry of Defence. For services to Defence.
Smruti Sriram – Chief Executive Officer, Supreme Creations (Bags of Ethics). For services to Fashion.
Professor Zaheer Raza Yousef – Consultant Cardiologist, University Hospital of Wales. For services to the Treatment of Heart Failure.
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Usman Ali – Social Mobility Ambassador, Ministry of Justice, Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangement, HM Prison and Probation Service. For services to the Public and to the Civil Service.
Shagufta Parveen Asam – Foster Carer, London Borough of Redbridge. For services to Foster Care.
Dalim Kumar Basu – Honorary Chair and Volunteer, British Computer Society, North, Central and South London Branches. For services to Young People and the Promotion of Science and Technology.
Mohammed Younis Chaudhry – Owner and Founder, Regal Food Products Plc. For services to Business and to the community in Bradford.
Professor Bhaskar Dasgupta – Consultant Rheumatologist, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust. For services to People with Giant Cell Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica.
Rabiyah Kauser Latif – Near Neighbours Coordinator, Thrive Together Birmingham. For services to Faith and Community Cohesion.
Ahsan Zameer Rafeeq – Deputy Head, International Marketing, Department for Business and Trade. For services to Investment and Marketing.
Ishaque Benny Aslam Rafiqi – Founder, Let’s Feed Brum and Tabor House. For services to Tackling Homelessness and to the community in Birmingham and the West Midlands.
Salma Bibi Ravat – Chief Executive Officer, One Roof Leicester. For services to Tackling Homelessness
Soma Sara – Founder, Everyone’s Invited. For services to the Eradication of Sexual Abuse Against Women.
Imran Hussain Shah – Chair, Police Independent Advisory Group and Community Leader, West Yorkshire Police. For services to Policing and to the community in West Yorkshire.
Aman Sharma – Chief Executive Officer, Totus Digital. For services to Building and Fire Safety.
Professor Ajay Jaikishore Vora – Lately Consultant Paediatric Haematologist, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust. For services to Childhood Leukaemia.
Chandni Kalpesh Vora – Chief Operating Officer, Vascroft Contractors Ltd. For services to Business and to Charity.
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
Aisha Younis Abdus Samad – Short Breaks Carer, Slough Children First, Berkshire. For services to Children and Young People with SEND.
Kamran Ishaq Abdus Samad – Short Breaks Carer, Slough Children First, Berkshire. For services to Children and Young People with SEND.
Mirza Khudadad Ahmed – Immigration Officer, Home Office. For Public Service.
Nazim Ali – Founder, Creating Smiles Hospital Gifts Initiative. For services to Charity and to Homeless and Vulnerable People in Bradford, West Yorkshire.
Maira Shernaz Bana – Co-founder, SheCanEngineer. For services to Diversity in Engineering.
Sanjib Bhattacharjee – For services to the community in the London Boroughs of Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest.
Mohammad Fayyaz – Councillor, Chesham Town Council and Buckinghamshire Council. For services to the community in Chesham.
Alaa Mohammed Ali Habbooby – Owner, Café Noir. For services to the community in Thames Ditton, Surrey.
Hemandra Hindocha – Postmaster, Westcotes Post Office. For services to the Post Office and to the community in the Midlands.
Jaswinder Kumar – President, Management Committee of Sri Guru Ravidass Sabha Bedford. For Charitable Services in Bedford.
Safeena Karen Mohammed – Foster Carer, Warwickshire County Council. For services to Foster Care.
Preshanthi Devarani Navaratnam – Executive Assistant, Department for Education. For Public, Voluntary and Charitable Service.
Asma Pandor – Lead Admiral Nurse, Dementia UK, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. For services to Nursing.
Kasim Mohamed Sharifi – Foster Carer, Warwickshire County Council. For services to Foster Care.
Dr Nana Siaw-Badu – Chief Executive Officer, Badu Sport. For services to Sport and Physical Activity.
Balbir Singh – Musician. For services to Bhangra Music and to Punjabi Culture in the West Midlands.
Companions of the Order of the Bath
Jaee Kamalnath Samant CBE – Director General, Public Safety, Home Office. For Public Service.
Overseas and international
MBE
Sakeena Alam
Deputy Head, Counter Terrorism Department, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. For services to British Nationals overseas.
BEM
Nalini Sadai
Head, Murder and Manslaughter Case Team, Consular Directorate, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. For services to British Nationals overseas.
King’s Police Medal (KPM)
Mohammed Osman KHAN
Assistant Chief Constable, West Yorkshire Police.
