A number of people across the charity sector have been recognised for their achievements and service in the New Year Honours List 2026.
Sarah Anderson, founder and trustee of mental health charity Listening Place, was awarded a damehood for services to mental health and to suicide prevention before her death from cancer on 7 December.
Carol Homden, chief executive of Coram children’s charity, was awarded a damehood for services to children and families.
Other charity leaders, trustees and founders were recognised among the list of 1,157 recipients.
Meanwhile, disability charity CEO Tressa Burke turned down an honour.
CBE
National Trust director-general, Hilary McGrady, has been awarded a CBE for services to heritage.
McGrady said: “Leading the National Trust is a privilege. This organisation has been woven into the fabric of our nations for well over a century, and to play a part in its rich history is very special.
“I've no doubt that the trust has endured for so long because heritage, culture and nature are intrinsically important in people's lives - they always have been, and they always will be.
“I'm so grateful to the thousands of staff, volunteers and supporters who make the National Trust what it is. I’m proud to be part of this organisation and this sector and I’m delighted to receive this award.”
Judith Gould, consultant clinical psychologist at the National Autistic Society, has been awarded a CBE for services to people with autism.
Caroline Stevens, chief executive of the National Autistic Society, said: “It is thanks to Dr Gould’s pioneering work that we are able to recognise the unique traits of autistic people and offer tailored support based on their needs.
“She has devoted her life to autism research in women, championing the fact that autistic women and girls are often misdiagnosed and transforming the lives of millions as a result.”
Angela Salt, former chief executive of Girlguiding, was also awarded a CBE.
Writing on social media, Salt said: “I’m humbled and honoured to receive recognition in the New Year’s Honours.
“I would like to pay tribute to the tens of thousands of volunteers across the UK who make guiding happen.
“I’d also like to thank the staff and board of trustees who, working with volunteers, help all girls know they can do anything.”
OBE
Trussell co-chief executive Emma Revie has been awarded an OBE for services to the eradication of poverty. Revie has served in her role at Trussell since 2018.
Revie said: “This incredible honour belongs to every food bank, volunteer, decision maker and supporter who has stood with us in our mission to end hunger and hardship.
“Together we have shown that change is possible and I know that if we keep working side by side, we can build a UK where everyone can afford the essentials and no one needs to use a food bank to get by.”
Alex Rhys, chief executive of the Infection Prevention Society and founder of It Gets Better UK, was awarded an OBE for his services to healthcare and to the LGBTQ+ community.
Rhys said: “I am extremely grateful for this recognition. Both of the organisations I lead exist to support people at vulnerable moments, whether that is healthcare professionals working to reduce harm or LGBTQ+ young people seeking hope and connection.
“Any impact I have made has been possible because of the extraordinary volunteers, members and colleagues who give so much of themselves in service to others. This honour belongs to all of them.”
Robert Nolan, chair of Deafblind UK, was awarded an OBE for services to people living with deafblindness.
Nolan, who is deafblind himself and has Type 2 Usher Syndrome, has volunteered with Deafblind UK for more than 26 years and has served as chair of the charity’s board since 2018.
“I have always believed that deafblind people should be visible, heard and represented, including in leadership roles,” he said.
“Whether through my career or volunteering I have tried to challenge assumptions and highlight what people living with deafblindness can do, rather than what they may not be able to.
“With that in mind I see this honour as a celebration not only of my contribution but of the talent and resilience that is found in the deafblind community as a whole.”
Helen Undy, chief executive of Money and Mental Health, has been awarded an OBE for her contribution to voluntary services, which includes her leadership of Money and Mental Health.
Undy was a member of the charity’s founding team and became chief executive in 2018.
Writing on social media, Undy said: “I’m delighted, and honestly a little bit embarrassed, to find out I've been awarded an OBE – what a huge honour.
“Life has dealt me a lucky hand which enables me to do this work and lead an incredible charity.
“So I have accepted this recognition on behalf of the many thousands of people living with money and mental health problems who have not always been so fortunate, and who are at the heart of our work.”
Giles Shilson, who chaired the City Bridge Foundation from 2021 to 2024, has been awarded an OBE for services to outreach and inclusion and to charity.
Shilson said: “I am delighted to receive this honour, and grateful to have had the opportunity to carry out public service in the City of London over the past two decades.
“This award reflects the tremendous impact of the City Bridge Foundation’s work, both as trusted owner of the city’s five bridges and as London’s largest independent funder.”
Craig Bennett, chief executive of the Wildlife Trusts, has been awarded an OBE for services to the environment.
Bennett said: “I’m very grateful for this honour and would like to send sincere thanks to those who nominated me.
“My career has focused on trying to join the dots between the nature and climate crises and the need for social justice and system change, and how they are all inextricably linked.”
MBE
Live Music Now chief executive Janet Fischer has been awarded an MBE for services to music and charity.
Vernon Ellis, chair of Live Music Now, said: “This honour recognises Janet’s dynamic leadership and the impact it’s having on thousands of lives across the UK.
“Everyone at Live Music Now congratulates her and looks forward to continuing to build on her many achievements in the years ahead.”
Emma Rule, founder of Musicians Against Homelessness (MAH), was awarded an MBE for charitable services to homeless people and to aspiring musicians.
Writing on social media, Rule said: “MAH was launched almost 10 years ago following a life-changing experience when I made a promise to a suicidal homeless man whilst volunteering at Crisis at Christmas.
“Since then, MAH has hosted thousands of gigs, events, and festival stages featuring talented up-and-coming artists and many key industry music figures.
“I’m so grateful to the many kind and talented people that have been involved with and worked on this not-for-profit venture.”
Jon Yates, executive director of the Youth Endowment Fund, received an MBE for services to young people.
Writing on social media, Yates said he was “delighted that this award is in service to young people”.
“All of our young people deserve to live lives free from violence. They deserve this much more - of course - than I deserve this lovely award,” he said.
Philip Gerrard, CEO of Deaf Action, was awarded an MBE for services to the deaf community, cultural inclusion and disability rights.
Gerrard, who has led the organisation since 2017, said: “I am deeply grateful to the person who took the time and care to nominate me.
“This recognition reflects the collective efforts of many people working to advance deaf equality, cultural inclusion and disability rights, and I am proud to have played a small part alongside them.”
Chair of the Royal Free Charity, Judy Dewinter, has been awarded an MBE for services to the NHS after being diagnosed with an incurable blood cancer aged 33 and becoming a patient advocate.
Dewinter said: “I’m honoured and humbled to receive this award. Being a patient has shaped everything I do.
“It’s heartening to be recognised for the impact I’ve had on the NHS. I couldn’t have done it without the fantastic teams I work with at the Royal Free Charity and Myeloma UK.”
Deepa Korea, director of the RCN Foundation since 2016, has been awarded an MBE in recognition of her contribution to nursing and midwifery.
Korea said: “I am grateful and humbled to receive this recognition. I would like to thank all those who were involved in my nomination.
“The award is a reflection of the achievements and contributions of the people, communities and organisations that I have had the privilege of working with throughout my career.”
Charity CEO turns down honour
Meanwhile, Tressa Burke, chief executive at Glasgow Disability Allowance, rejected an MBE, saying online that she “cannot accept a personal honour when disabled people are being so dishonoured”.
“There are so many reasons why I had to decline an MBE at this time – the main one is that I cannot accept a personal honour when disabled people are being so dishonoured,” she said.
“Political choices made by the UK government to cut disabled people’s benefits and the services which are vital to support us – programmes like Access to Work – on the one hand are unforgivable betrayals of disabled citizens but on the other hand make no economic sense.
“These measures will not get people into work but will make people more unwell and create further inequalities and demands on services.”
