Ciaran Devane, chief executive of the British Council, has been awarded a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his work at his former charity, Macmillan Cancer Support.
Devane (pictured), who left Macmillan Cancer Support in January to join the British Council having served at the cancer support charity since 2007, was awarded his knighthood for services to cancer patients.
Devane said of his knighthood: “I hope it is also in some way a testament to the great work of my colleagues at Macmillan, and if I am allowed to be perhaps a bit too grand - to the contribution charities more broadly make to British society."
Other figures awarded knighthoods who have connections to the voluntary sector include:
- Dr Kevan Collins, chief executive of the Education Endowment Foundation, for services to education.
- Dr Naim Dangoor, philanthropist, for charitable services.
- Gareth Edwards, for services to sport and for charitable services.
- Lenny Henry, actor and comedian and founder of Comic Relief, for services to drama and charity.
- Dr Nicholas Penny, director of the National Gallery, for services to the arts.
Zarine Kharas, co-founder and chief executive of donations website JustGiving, has been made a dame for her services to business and charity.
Figures receiving CBEs for their work involving charity include:
- Jeremy Hughes, chief executive, The Alzheimer's Society, for services to older people.
- Stephen Hoddell, lately chair, Samaritans UK and Ireland, for services to civil society.
- Clare Matterson, director of strategy, Wellcome Trust, for services to public engagement with science.
- Nathaniel Sloane, for services to venture philanthrophy and social investment.
Mark Astarita, director of fundraising at the British Red Cross, also received an OBE.
Peter Lewis, chief executive of the Industry of Fundraising, praised Mark Astarita on his honour. He said: “I can’t think of anyone who has done more to deserve this accolade than Mark. His fundraising track record of course speaks for itself. But he has contributed far more than just to the causes and organisations he has worked for.”
Others receiving OBEs include:
- Gillian Baranski, chief executive, CAFCASS Cymru, for services to vulnerable children in Wales.
- Emily Holzhausen director of policy and public affairs, Carers UK, for services to carers.
- Wesley Kerr lately chair, London Committee, Heritage Lottery Foundation, for services to heritage.
- Ms Jane Vass head of public policy, Age UK, for services to financial services consumers.
- Victoria Wright trustee, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, for services to maritime safety.
- Malcolm Shepherd, chief executive of Sustrans
Among the 50 or so people who were awarded honours for services to the voluntary sector was Natasha Hart, founder and director of Newham All Star Sports Academy (NASSA), which won the Overall Award at last year’s Charity Awards, was awarded an MBE. Her MBE was awarded for services to sport in East London.
Also sector figures receiving MBEs include Andy Jackson from the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Lynda Myles Till and Ken Deeks, Action for Children volunteers, and Caroline Schwaller, chair of Navca.
