Business leaders, sports coaches and academics are among the people from York and North Yorkshire who have received New Year Honours this year.
This year’s honours list includes 1,157 recipients.
Half of all recipients at CBE level and above are women, marking the strongest representation since 2020, the Cabinet Office said.
Across the list, 10% come from ethnic minority backgrounds — including 5% Asian, 3% Black, 2% mixed and 1% other.
In addition, 5% identify as LGBT+, 15% report a disability or long-term health condition and 36% come from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Here are our local heroes…
Richard Harpin is given a knighthood for services to politics. Born in Huddersfield, raised in Northumberland and now living in North Yorkshire, he sold his company HomeServe for £500m.
He was a big donor to the Conservative Party, giving £3.8m to the party since 2008, but this year stopped funding the party.
Business and charity
David Dickson gets an OBE for services to Business and to Charitable Causes.
He has had a huge impact on both the business sector in York and good causes, particularly helping young people.
David went to Nunthorpe Grammar after taking the 11-plus, and went on to become a chartered accountant. He was the chair of the Family Business Committee of Shepherd Group and of accountancy firm Garbutt and Elliott.
He’s a past chair of past Treasurer of the University of York and of Science City York.
And now David’s a member of Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund regional advisory board.
He was chair of St Leonard’s Hospice for nine years, and also volunteers at the York RLFC, working with the young people of the Knights and Valkyrie.
And he works with schools to develop breakfast clubs to give students the best possible start.
His honour comes a year after he was seriously ill following a stroke and a bleed on the brain.
David, 70, said news of his MBE was “very nice – lovely!” He and wife Sarah “are both heavily involved in supporting families and younger kids and helping them develop their potential”
He said: “It’s nice to get an award. I’m not overly bothered about me. It’s about making sure more of these children and poor families give a bit more of a chance in life. So that’s what we’re going to do.”
Rower’s honour
Phil Jones, who has volunteered for York City Rowing Club for more than 40 years, receives the British Empire Medal.
As Junior Chief Coach, he significantly expanded the club’s junior squad, making it one of the largest in the UK, and introduced hundreds of young people to rowing.
He has coached numerous junior athletes to national and international success, with several representing Great Britain.
Beyond coaching, he has served on the committee as secretary for 30 years and was instrumental in fundraising and developing facilities, including securing funding for a new boathouse.
Phil told YorkMix: “I was completely surprised and shocked when I heard the news, especially as there must be many volunteers in York who have done similar things to me in there sports.
“The things that I love about rowing is that it’s essentially an outdoor sport which you can participate in at any level and more or less any age. I have many wonderful memories from my time coaching junior rowers at York City rowing club.”
Professor Piers Maxwell De Ferranti Forster gets a CBE for services to tackling climate change. He works at the University of Leeds and lives in North Yorkshire.
Another CBE recipient is the North Yorkshire-based chief executive of Sainsbury’s Simon Roberts, for services to business.
University recipients
Three University of York academics are honoured.
Professor Avtar Matharu a leading researcher in the Department of Chemistry, has been awarded an MBE in recognition of his services to equality, diversity, and inclusion across the University and wider community.
Dee Dyas, Emeritus Professor of the History of Christianity in the Department of History, has been awarded an OBE for services to theology and heritage.
And Professor Brian Ferguson from the Department of Health Sciences has been honoured with an MBE for services to public health research and his work with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
Professor Matharu is an ardent advocate for human rights and all faiths, with his vision for community cohesion and commitment to interfaith work, both locally and nationally.
His commitment to peace, dialogue, and community cohesion is driven by a gentle yet decisive leadership style that successfully connects different faiths and addresses racial inequalities.
Under his guidance, Professor Matharu elevated the York Interfaith Group, galvanising people from all faith groups to work together with the City of York Council, York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, and North Yorkshire Police to tackle critical issues like hate crime and discrimination – a collective achievement previously considered insurmountable.
During moments of significant community tension, such as the Israel/Gaza conflict, Professor Matharu proactively brought together local faith leaders to promote dialogue and reduce local friction.
Professor Dyas served for almost 25 years as Director of the Centre for the Study of Christianity & Culture, which she founded in 1999.
She also established the Centre for Pilgrimage Studies. Her research and publications include the history of pilgrimage through the centuries and the influence of Christianity on art, architecture, literature, music, law, community, and social care.
Professor Dyas, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, has spent many years advising those managing historic churches and cathedrals on strategies and resources to enhance visitor engagement and enjoyment for people from all backgrounds.
Professor Brian Ferguson from the Department of Health Sciences has been honoured with an MBE for services to public health research and his work with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
Professor Ferguson has worked across academia, the NHS and Civil Service in a 40 year career in the health field.
In 2020 Professor Ferguson was appointed as the new NIHR Public Health Research Programme Director and undertook this role until July 2025.
He is currently Public Health Strategic Advisor to NIHR, whose mission is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Charlie Jeffery paid tribute to all three recipients.
He said: “These honours reflect the extraordinary expertise and compassion at York, with our academics really making a difference to people’s lives and the world around us.
“Avtar is a tireless bridge-builder across faiths, while Dee’s world-leading research broadens our understanding of the modern resurgence of UK pilgrimage. Brian’s 40-year legacy has helped shape public health policy. It is a privilege to call them colleagues, and as a community we celebrate their well-deserved success.”
‘This is real’
A long-serving North Yorkshire foster carer who has offered stability and a place in her home for almost 80 children over three decades has been recognised in the New Year’s Honours.
And Ruth Ive said the recognition is not just for her, but for every foster carer who helps children feel safe, valued and cared for.
She also urged anyone who is considering signing up to be a foster carer to take the step into what she described as a “wonderful and valuable” role.
Mrs Ive who lives with her husband, Andy, in Burton-in-Lonsdale on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, has received an MBE for her contribution to foster care.
The 67-year-old was so surprised when she received the email, she thought it was a scam.
“It’s not the kind of news you expect to receive via an email,” said Mrs Ive. “I thought people are normally informed in the post, so I deleted the email.
“This was followed up by a second email which I also deleted. It wasn’t until a phone call from the Cabinet Office that I thought to myself, ‘this is real’.”
Rob McIntosh of Network Rail gets an OBE for Services to the Railway in the North of England.
Caroline Bayliss gets an MBE for services to the community in Harrogate and North Yorkshire.
Divine Charura, Professor of Counselling Psychology at York St John University gets an MBE for services to Inclusion and to the Advancement of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Dr Ava Maria Easton, Chief Executive, Encephalitis International gets an MBE for services to People Affected by Encephalitis.
Catherine Parums, Head of Remembrance Events, the Royal British Legion. gets an MBE for services to National Commemorative Events. She has been a vital part of the Royal British Legion’s Remembrance Team since 2017, playing a pivotal role in the D-Day 80 events in Normandy in June 2024, which showcased the UK on national and international stages.
Kambiz Ali gets an MBE for services to the Sport of Taekwondo and the community in Harrogate.
Miriam and Terence Wilcox co-founders, In2Out, get MBEs for services to Reducing Reoffending and to Young People.
An LNER worker has spoken of his pride on being awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year Honours for services to championing diversity and inclusion in the rail industry.
Carter Goodby BEM, of Pocklington, joined LNER six years ago, working as a frontline colleague helping customers at stations, and has progressed to a Business Partner in the People team. Throughout this time, he has consistently shown passion and dedication to enhancing equality, diversity, and inclusivity for people in the rail industry.
Within LNER, Carter is Chair of the company’s LGBT+ network, ‘TOGETHER’, leading initiatives, including planning York Pride, where he unites LGBT+ networks from across the railway. Carter is also a leadership member of ‘Journey’ – the Transport industry’s LGBT+ group – where he drives community initiatives and is encouraging industry-wide support for London Pride 2026.
Speaking of his honour, Carter said: “Being awarded a British Empire Medal is a huge honour and something I am very proud of. I am incredibly passionate about equality and inclusivity in the rail industry and want to make the railway a place where everyone can feel welcomed, valued, and included.
“My work is not for recognition, but it is always lovely to be appreciated by colleagues in the industry. The award is a huge surprise, and I feel humbled to receive it.”
Andrew Windass is another rail worker to receive an award. The Senior Engineer, AGH Engineering Ltd gets an MBE for services to Rail Engineering.
Caroline Bentham receives the BEM for services to the community in Ripon. Another BEM recipient is Susan Hall for services to the community in Ryedale.
