Six alumni have been recognised in the 2026 King’s New Year Honours list. We celebrate their incredible dedication to their work in education, nursing, food procurement and sustainability, youth work, allied health professions and social housing.
Thanks to these outstanding individuals, the lives of others have been made better. We’re proud of their extraordinary achievements and contribution to public life.
Professor Maria McIlgorm has been awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Nursing and Midwifery in Northern Ireland.
Maria has over 40 years’ experience in nursing across community and hospital settings, in professional, operational and strategic roles in England, Scotland and in Northern Ireland. She has been the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) at the Department of Health since 2022.
Maria studied Midwifery at UWE Bristol in 1993.
Steve Taylor has been awarded a knighthood for his services to education.
Steve has been Chief Executive Officer of the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF) for 11 years. CLF is a multi-academy trust founded in Bristol but now serves Gloucestershire and Somerset. Under his tenure CLF has grown to serve more than 18,000 young people and has gained a reputation for supporting struggling schools to improve.
Steve was awarded an honorary doctorate by UWE Bristol in 2024.
Jane Hadfield has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to education.
As a registered Nurse, Jane has worked for most of her career in the NHS in Bristol, in clinical leadership roles, and the last twenty years as a Learning and Development/OD Specialist.
Jane’s grounding in leadership development includes working with the NHS Leadership Academy and academic partners, notably UWE Bristol, in delivering innovative development programmes in clinical leadership. Jane now holds a national role with NHS England, leading a programme designed to embrace widening access, participation, and inclusion.
Jane was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration by UWE Bristol in 2023.
Christine Storry has been awarded Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for services to sustainable and local food procurement.
Christine is currently Procurement Manager, Bath and North-East Somerset Council and CEO of Ardagh Community Trust, a community led facility for Horfield Common, Bristol.
Christine studied HND Business studies in 1999 and an MA Tourism and Sustainability at UWE Bristol, graduating in 2004.
Geoffrey Pinney has been awarded Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for services to young people in Somerset.
Geoffrey first joined Scouts at the age of 8 and enjoyed it so much that he has been involved all his life. 75 years later he is Group President of West Hatch Scout Group in Somerset.
Geoffrey studied Local Government Management Development at UWE Bristol (then Bristol Polytechnic) in 1983.
Professor Suzanne Rastrick OBE has been awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the allied health professions and to the social housing sector.
With almost 40 years in the NHS, Suzanne’s career has spanned Support Worker, Occupational Therapist, Matron, Director of Nursing and Quality, Deputy CEO and CEO. Her current role is Chief Allied Health Professions Officer for NHS England and a Non-Executive Director and Board Advisor for the National Housing Federation.
Suzanne was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science by UWE Bristol in 2018.
Note:
Please let us know if we’ve missed someone who has been recognised in the 2026 New Year Honours list and is a UWE Bristol alum or member of staff. The team can be contacted at alumni@uwe.ac.uk.
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