Birthday Honours List 2026

The Lord-Lieutenant would like to congratulate all the Greater Manchester recipients of Honours in The King’s Birthday Honour’s List. Honours are a fantastic way of thanking ordinary people doing extraordinary things and this would not be possible without the people taking the time to nominate them, whom she would also like to particularly thank. Should you know of someone who deserves to be nominated then please go to our Honours and Awards page where you can find out how to do it.

The people who live in Greater Manchester and have received an Honour in the Birthday List are as follows:

Knights Bachelor

The Knights Bachelor do not constitute a Royal Order: it is an appointment. The appointment of Knight Bachelor (to men only) originates from the medieval period. Recipients have the title Sir but do not have post nominal letters. There is no direct equivalent appointment for women. The Society maintains the Chapel of Knights Bachelor in St Paul’s Cathedral where it holds its Annual Service of Dedication.

Knighthood

Kevin SINFIELD CBE from Oldham
Coach, England National Rugby Union Team and Fundraiser. For services to Rugby League, Rugby Union and the MND Community

Order of The British Empire

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established on 4 June 1917 by King George V

Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)

A pre-eminent contribution in any field of activity (usually, but not exclusively, at national level), or in a capacity which will be recognised by peer groups as inspirational and significant nationally and demonstrates sustained commitment.

Serena Margaret KENNEDY KPM DL from Wigan
Lately Chief Constable, Merseyside Police. For services to Policing

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

An OBE is given to someone who has demonstrated a distinguished regional or county-wide role in any field, through achievement or service to the community including notable practitioners known nationally. The following people have been awarded and OBE:

Professor Gregory Loukas GEORGHIOU (LUKE GREGORY GEORGHIOU) from Stockport.
Lately Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Manchester. For services to Science and Innovation

Janette LUCA from Stockport
Director of Public Affairs, ITV. For services to Broadcasting and Television

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

An MBE is given to a person for achievement or service in and to the community which is outstanding in its field and has delivered sustained and real impact which stands out as an example to others. The following people have been awarded the MBE:

Esther Anne BARRATT from Stockport
Group Director, Amentum. For services to Nuclear Power Engineering

Professor Christopher BROOKES from Bolton
Chair, Wigan Warriors and lately Chief Medical Officer, Rugby Football League and England Rugby League. For services to Rugby League

Heather Joanne HARRISON from Stockport
Data Assurance Manager, Ministry of Defence. For services to Defence

Sakilbabu Vali KOLA from Bolton
Founder and Director, Bri-Tek Technologies LTD. For services to Export Growth

David Nathan LEIGHTON from Stockport
Administrative Officer, Crown Prosecution Service. For services to the community in the North West

Anjum Nahid MALIK from Manchester
Writer and Lecturer. For services to British South Asian Arts

Benash NAZMEEN from Manchester
Co-Founder and Director, Association of South Asian Midwives. For services to Charity and to Healthcare

Beena PURI from Bury
Digital Equity Senior Principal, Greater Manchester Combined Authority. For services to Digital Inclusion.

Abigail SHAPIRO from Bury
Co-Founder, The Tutor Trust. For services to Education

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

A BEM is awarded to people who have contributed a very hands-on service to the community in a local geographical area. Either sustained commitment in support of local charitable or voluntary activity or innovative work that has delivered real impact in a short period (3/4 years). The following people have been awarded a BEM:

Alison Mary BRITTLE from Oldham
Founder, Director and Chair of Board, Saddleworth Hydro. For services to the community in Saddleworth

Joanne GREEN from Tameside
For Parliamentary and Political Services

William Peter HIGGINS from Bolton
Instructor, Seidokan Karate Club. For services to Karate and to the community in Wigan

Wendy Jayne LOWE from Wigan
Foster Carer, Wigan Council. For services to Foster Care in Wigan, Greater Manchester

Steven LOWE from Wigan
Foster Carer, Wigan Council. For services to Foster Care in Wigan, Greater Manchester

Regina Parveen OLIVER-LAWLOR (ROSINA OLIVER-LAWLOR) from Tameside.
For services to the community in Rochdale, Greater Manchester

Jeffrey Sean PICTON from Wigan
District Commissioner. For services to Scouting and to the community in Wigan, Greater Manchester

Claire Marie ROBINSON from Tameside
Foster Carer, Birmingham Children’s Trust. For services to Foster Care in Birmingham

Irfan Aslam SYED from Salford
Councillor and Chair, Salford Forum for Refugees. For services to Refugee Resettlement

John Stuart TURNER from Wigan
Adult Instructor, Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force. For voluntary services to Young People and to Charitable Fundraising

Do you know someone who deserves a UK Honour, a group of volunteers, worthy of a King’s Award for Voluntary Service or a business that is worthy of a King’s Award for Enterprise? Find out about the awards and how to nominate here: https://manchesterlieutenancy.org/honours-and-awards/