Psychiatrists recognised in the 2026 Birthday Honours

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Today, His Majesty The King announced his 2026 Birthday Honours list marking the extraordinary contributions and service of people across the UK, with a particular focus this year on community change-makers who have gone above and beyond in delivering positive change to benefit others. 

The College applauds the valuable contributions of our members and partners and congratulates them on this wonderful recognition:

RCPsych Fellow, Dr Alys Cole-King, Retired Consultant Psychiatrist, has received a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to Suicide Prevention.

RCPsych Member Dr Kavitha Pasunuru, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Divisional Director, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, has received a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to Neurodiversity Services in Gwent.

Member of RCPsych’s Public Mental Health Implementation Centre (PMHIC) Advisory Board, Professor Ann John, Professor of Public Health and Psychiatry, Swansea University, who received an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Suicide Prevention and to Digital Innovation.

Dr Lade Smith CBE, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said:

"Many congratulations, these Honours are richly deserved. They are a testament to the unwavering commitment of our members and partners in advancing understanding and improving outcomes for people with mental illness, who are among the most marginalised members of our society."

Also recognised

Along with several others, we would like to congratulate a number of our partners also recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours for their tireless work over the years to improve services. They are:

Professor Andrew Tyler Elder, Lately President, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, who received an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Medicine and to Medical Education.

Dr Sarah Joan Hughes, Chief Executive Officer, Mind, who received a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her services to Mental Health and to Civil Society.

Professor Dame Parveen June Kumar DBE, Professor Emerita of Medicine and Education, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, who was appointed a Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) for her services to Global Medical Education and Health.

Dr Richard Mark Vautrey, Lately President, Royal College of General Practitioners and GP Partner, Meanwood Group Practice, who received a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to General Practice. 

List of other recipients

Other recipients who have made important contributions to mental health include:

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

• Professor Carol Elspeth Goodeve Brayne CBE, Professor Emeritus and Senior Visiting Fellow, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge. For services to Medicine, Medical Research and Public Health
• Sumeshni Tranka, Chief Nursing Officer, Welsh Government. For services to Nursing

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

• Professor David John Gunnell FMedSci, Emeritus Professor of Epidemiology, Bristol Medical School. For services to Public Health and Suicide Prevention

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

• Dr Sharon Curtis, Chief Executive Officer, Emosi, Burngreave, Sheffield. For services to Early Years Education and Children's Mental Health
• Professor Ann John, Professor of Public Health and Psychiatry, Swansea University. For services to Suicide Prevention and to Digital Innovation
• Paul Oxborough, Founder, Mental Health Motorbike. For services to Mental Health and to Charity

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

• Dr Susan Lagdon, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Ulster University. For services to Ending Violence Against Women and Girls
• Neil Bernard Platt, Clinical Director, Beacon Counselling Trust. For services to Vulnerable People and to Mental Health
• Shirley Kathryn Smith, Founder and Trustee, If U Care Share Foundation. For services to Suicide Prevention
• Sarah Marina Sweeney, For services to Counselling and Psychotherapy, to Community Education and to Peace Building through Restorative Dialogue
• Emma Whitfield, Member, National Autistic Society. For services to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire

• Dr Nichola Booth, For services to the Autistic Community and their Families in Northern Ireland
• Warren John Dunkley, Founder, Off the Ropes and Occupational Therapist, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust. For services to Mental Health Support
• Susan Jane Garner, Volunteer Facilitator, Carers in Mind, Richmond Borough Mind. For services to Mental Health Carers in South West London
• Alan John Hiatt, Mental Health and Learning Difficulties Volunteer. For services to Ty Siriol and Hafan Deg Wards, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
• Leanne Johanna Howlett, Expert by Experience and Specialist Perinatal Psychiatric Nurse, Institute of Health Visiting. For services to Health Visiting
• Fiona Jayne Knight, For services to People with Learning Disabilities and to Autistic People
• Edith Joyce Leask, For services to Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Lee Allen Ralph, Firefighter, Avon Fire and Rescue Service. For services to Mental Health, Wellbeing, and Resilience in the Fire and Rescue Sector
• Derek Reid, Volunteer. For services to Suicide Awareness and to the community in Castlemilk, Glasgow
• Barbara Celia Sved, For services to Disabled and Learning Disabled Adults in Harrow and Northwood, Greater London
• Alison Jane Turner, Chair, Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation UK. For services to the Learning Disabled and Neurodiverse Community