Today, His Majesty The King announced his 2026 New Year Honours list marking the extraordinary contributions and service of people across the UK, with a particular focus this year on those who have gone above and beyond for their communities.
The College would like to congratulate a number of our partners recognised in the New Year Honours for their tireless work over the years to improve services and mental health. They are:
Idris Akuna Elba OBE, Actor and Musician, who received a Knighthood, for his services to young people.
Amanda Kate Pritchard, Lately Chief Executive, NHS England, who received a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her services to the NHS.
Professor Ann Denise McNeill, Professor of Tobacco Addiction, King's College London, who received a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her services to Research into Addiction and Mental Health.
Professor Suzanne Rastrick OBE, Chief Allied Health Professions Officer, NHS England, who received a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her services to the Allied Health Professions and to the Social Housing Sector.
Dr Fiona Alison Donald, Lately President, Royal College of Anaesthetists, who received an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to Anaesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine.
Vanessa Claire Ford, Chief Executive, South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, who received a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to Mental Health Nursing.
Julie Denley, Director of Primary, Community and Mental Health Services, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, who received a Medallists of the Order of the British Empire, for her services to Mental Health Services
Dr Lade Smith CBE, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said:
"These accolades are a testament to the unwavering commitment of our partners in advancing understanding and improving outcomes for people with mental illness, who are among the most marginalised members of our society."
Other notable recipients
Other recipients who have made important contributions to mental health include:
Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)
- Sarah Lilian Anderson CBE, Founder and Trustee, The Listening Place. For services to Mental Health and to Suicide Prevention
- Dr Suzannah Claire Lishman CBE, Lately President, The Association of Clinical Pathologists and Senior Advisor on Medical Examiners, Royal College of Pathologists. For services to the Medical Examiner System and to Patient Safety
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
- Professor Rhona Hunter Flin, Emeritus Professor of Applied Psychology, University of Aberdeen, Professor of Industrial Psychology, Robert Gordon University and Academic Advisor, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. For services to Research
- Dr Judith Ann Gould, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, National Autistic Society. For services to People with Autism
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- Charlotte Hodges, Principal Psychologist, HM Prison Isle of Wight, HM Prison and Probation Service. For services to Rehabilitation in a Prison Setting
- Christopher Shaun Ruane, Lately Member of Parliament for Vale of Clwyd. For Parliamentary and Political Service and services to Wellbeing
- Professor Andrew Patrick Arthur Steptoe FBA FMedSci, Professor of Psychology and Epidemiology, University College London. For services to Behavioural Science
- Helen Victoria Haines Undy, Chief Executive, Money and Mental Health Policy Institute. For Voluntary Service
- Edward James Wray, Chair, Coach Core Foundation. For services to Charity and Mental Health
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
- Professor Divine Charura, Professor of Counselling Psychology, York St John University. For services to Inclusion and to the Advancement of Counselling and Psychotherapy in Research and Practice
- Dr Ayla Frances Humphrey, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge. For services to Young People with Acquired Brain Injuries
- Paula Jennings. For services to Adults with Learning Difficulties in Northern Ireland
- Jennifer Isobella Rayner, Founder and Chief Executive, The Lucy Rayner Foundation. For services to Mental Health
- Stuart Skinner, Founder, Head Outside. For services to Mental Health Through Training, Outdoor Leadership and Community Engagement
- Laura Jane Tipler (Laura Drysdale), Founder, The Restoration Trust. For services to Heritage and Mental Health
- Lydia Tischler, Holocaust Survivor and Child Psychotherapist. For services to Holocaust Remembrance and Child Psychology
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire
- Helen Jane Gill. For services to People with Learning Disabilities in Worcestershire
- Alison Jayne Irwin, Lately Head of Equality, Northern Health and Social Care Trust. For services to Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland
- Mary Marian Nicholas. For services to People with Learning Disabilities in Northern Ireland
- Tracy Rowland, Founder, Ready Steady Go, Monmouthshire. For services to Children and Young Adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorder
- Angela Frances Stevenson. For services to Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Support in the North East England
The full New Year Honours list for 2026 is available on the Government’s website.
For further information, please contact:
- Email: press@rcpsych.ac.uk
- Twitter: @rcpsych
- Out-of-hours contact number: 07860 755896