In a momentous event for the Indian-origin community in the United Kingdom, over 30 professionals from various fields have been included in King Charles’ 2025 New Year Honours List, which was announced in London on Friday evening. The list celebrates the extraordinary contributions of individuals from diverse sectors, including community leaders, campaigners, academics, and medical professionals. These honorees have been recognized for their exceptional public service and dedication to their respective fields.
Among the most notable recipients is Ranil Malcolm Jayawardena, a Conservative Member of Parliament with Sri Lankan and Indian heritage. He has been conferred a Knighthood for his contributions to political and public service. Jayawardena’s recognition comes alongside Gareth Southgate, the recently resigned England men’s football team manager, who was honored for his services to the game.
This year’s honours list, which features over 1,200 recipients from various sectors, places particular emphasis on individuals from sports, healthcare, academia, and voluntary services. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his admiration for the recipients, highlighting the remarkable contributions of “ordinary people doing extraordinary things for their communities.” He stated that these unsung heroes exemplify the best of the UK and the core values of service that the government upholds.
The list, which is released annually by the Cabinet Office in the name of the British monarch, includes several prominent Indian-origin individuals. Among them are Satwant Kaur Deol, who has been awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her services to further education; King Charles Pritam Singh Dhanowa, recognized for his work in competition law; and Professor Sneh Khemka, who received the CBE for his significant contributions to healthcare, science, innovation, and technology.
Leena Nair, the Global CEO of Chanel, has been awarded a CBE for her services to the retail and consumer sector, while Mayank Prakash, President of the British Computing Society, has been recognized for his work in advancing technology professionals. Purnima Murthy Tanuku, CEO of the National Day Nurseries Association, has been awarded the CBE for her work in early years education.
The 2025 honours list also includes several Indian-origin individuals who have received the Order of the British Empire (OBE). Professor Sanjay Arya, a cardiologist, has been recognized for his services to black and minority ethnic doctors and healthcare in North-West England. Nandini Das, a professor at the University of Oxford, has been awarded the OBE for her contributions to interdisciplinary research in the humanities and public engagement. Other notable recipients include Tarsem Singh Dhaliwal, CEO of Iceland Foods, for his services to the Welsh economy and charity, and Jasmine Dotiwala for her work in broadcasting, music, and promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion.
In addition to these awards, other Indian-origin professionals receiving OBEs include Monica Kohli, President of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association UK, and Soumya Majumdar, from the Crown Prosecution Service, recognized for her services to law and order. Seema Misra, known for her campaign for scandal-hit subpostmasters, and Sravya Rao from the Department for Business and Trade, have also received OBEs for their public service contributions.
The Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBEs) and Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEMs) list also includes a number of British Indians. Among the MBE recipients are Dalim Kumar Basu, a tech expert; Marimouttou Coumarassamy, a nursing chief; and Professor Bhaskar Dasgupta, a rheumatologist. BEMs have been awarded to individuals like Sanjib Bhattacharjee, a community worker, and Balbir Singh Khanpur Bhujhangy, a musician for his work in Bhangra music and Punjabi culture in the West Midlands.
The prestigious Companion of Honour title, which is limited to just 65 recipients at any given time, has been awarded to Sir Kazuo Ishiguro, the Japanese-British Nobel Prize-winning author, for his contributions to literature. Notable among those receiving a Knighthood is English actor and broadcaster Stephen Fry, recognized for his work in raising awareness about mental health.
The UK government has emphasized its commitment to ensuring that the honours system recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to society, whether in a voluntary or paid capacity. Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden highlighted the importance of acknowledging those who have made selfless contributions to their communities. He also encouraged the public to nominate individuals for future honours who have made a significant impact.
In this edition of the New Year Honours, 54 percent of the recipients have been involved in voluntary or paid community service, with 12 percent of successful candidates coming from ethnic minority backgrounds, reflecting the diverse contributions made by individuals across the UK.
