New Year’s Honours List 2023: Including football pundit Chris Kamara and Born Free founder Virginia McKenna

The New Year’s Honours list for 2023 has been announced. The awards recognise the achievements and service of people across the UK, from all walks of life.

Many famous names have previously been honoured, such as James Bond icon Daniel Craig, soap legends William Roache and June Brown and DJ Craig David to name a few.

People from all walks of life across the UK have been included in the list for 2023, awarded for their work in areas including sustained public service, youth engagement and community work.

One notable recipient is Jawahir Roble. Roble grew up playing football in Mogadishu and has been awarded with an MBE after becoming the first black, female, Muslim, hijab-wearing referee in the UK.

Here are some of the other  highlights of the 2023 New Year’s honours list including volunteers, police officers, England Lionesses and more.

Highlights of the New Year’s Honours List

Peter Offord Davies - Peter has been awarded a BEM at the age of 100 for his work as a reading volunteer at Dean Valley Community Primary School in Bollington, Macclesfield.

Pamela Goldsmith - Also receiving a BEM is Pamela from West Sussex. She has raised around £1.5 million after volunteering with Macmillan for 20 years.

Jade Clarke - Clarke represented the United Kingdom at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and was first selected for the England national netball team in 2002. She will be receiving an MBE.

John Reyntiens - known for the bespoke stained-glass window at the North End of Westminster Hall which was gifted to Her Majesty the Queen for her 2012 Diamond Jubilee, he will also be receiving an MBE.

Louenna Hood - Hood will be receiving a BEMedal for helping children and families fleeing Ukraine. Through voluntary work, she has raised £170,000 for people fleeing the war-torn country.

Asrar Ul-Haq DL - One of the first Asian police officers in Greater Manchester he will be receiving an OBE. His career so far has been largely spent building a positive relationship between marginalised communities and law enforcement.

Jim Jones - Jones, also a police officer in Greater Manchester will receive a BEM for his work to improve the way police forces work with military veterans. His work with veterans has even encouraged some to consider jobs within the force.

Leah Williamson - Lionesses captain Williamson spearheaded their charge towards a famous Euros win. She will be receiving an OBE.

Lucy Bronze, Beth Mead, Ellen White - Sticking with that historic Lionesses team, these three will all be receiving MBE’s. Mead was the top scorer, and recently won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.