People from across Wales have been recognised for their selfless service to others this New Year. The list of people honoured in Wales includes Wales rugby great Gerald Davies who admitted he was left “dumbstruck” after being awarded a knighthood.
The 79-year-old former Wales and British and Irish Lions wing has been recognised for services to rugby union and voluntary and charitable service in Wales. Sir Gerald is among a select group of Wales players to win three Grand Slams.
“It is an amazing honour,” Sir Gerald told the PA news agency. “I am humbled by it and moved by the thought that somebody, somewhere, has thought it worthy of giving me that honour. With that in mind, you are always aware in getting an honour like this of the enormous support you get from your family – my wife Cilla and children Emily and Ben.”
A total of 58 people from Wales have received honours in HM The King’s New Year Honours List 2025, published today by the Cabinet Office. This year’s recipients have been awarded for their outstanding contributions across all sectors, but in particular community champions and selfless giving are recognised. The list ensures that people from under-represented communities and a wide variety of types of work are rewarded, to celebrate the fantastic contribution of people throughout the country.
The list for Wales also includes Richard Parry from Cardiff who receives a BEM for services to music and to choral singing. He has accompanied some of Wales’ and the UK’s leading performers including Rebecca Evans, Katherine Jenkins, Shan Cothi, Gwawr Edwards, Beverley Humphreys, John Owen Jones, Rhys Meirion and Lesley Garrett. He became the accompanist of the internationally acclaimed Pendyrus Male Choir in 1973 and has remained until the present day, being awarded Life Membership of the choir in 1994.
There is also a BEM for Diane Locke from Penrhiwceiber for services to the community of Penrhiwceiber, Rhondda Cynon Taff. She seeks out grants and initiatives aimed at uplifting deprived areas, making significant advances in community development. One of her notable achievements is the transformation of Lee Gardens Pool, from a neglected facility into a vibrant community hub. In addition to her community-focused initiatives, Diane plays a vital role in supporting vulnerable groups, such as new mothers, through programs like Baby Basics. Read more the village where more than half the children grow up in poverty here.
Another recipient is Moawia Bin-Sufyan, from Cardiff, who receives an MBE for services to Community Cohesion and Inter-Faith Relations in South Wales. He has been a driving force for interfaith dialogue and community cohesion in South Wales for over 20 years. He is the founder and board member of multiple charities, working actively in his local community to promote diversity and healthcare, especially among the Welsh Islamic community.
While Sabrina Fortune, from Mold, receives an MBE for athletics. She is acknowledged by her National Governing Body as the world’s leading women’s F20 shot putter, having won the world title three times and, most recently, gold at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris. At the Rio Paralympics in 2016 she won bronze on her Games debut with a personal best throw of 12.94m. In 2018 she claimed her first major title, winning the F20 shot put European gold in Berlin. During her preparation for the Paralympics she set a new world record in July in Birmingham, as well as in Kobe, Japan, before winning gold in Paris with her first throw of the competition, breaking her own world record in the process.
Sabrina Fortune
(Image: Getty Images)
Special honours are given to people who make outstanding contributions to their community and the country, with the New Year Honours acknowledging more than 1,200 people in the UK this year. They range from actor Stephen Fry and former England manager Gareth Southgate, to London mayor Sadiq Khan who have all been knighted.
Honours have gone to a host of Team GB athletes, including runner Keely Hodgkinson, who was named the 2024 BBC Sports Personality of the Year, and mountain biker Tom Pidcock, after the Paris Olympics. There are also honours for those who campaigned on behalf of wrongfully convicted subpostmasters, after the Horizon IT scandal.
Creator of The Tracy Beaker series, Jacqueline Wilson, has been made a Dame Grand Cross (GBE) for services to literature, while actress Carey Mulligan and television presenter Alan Titchmarsh become Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Each and every day, ordinary people go out and do extraordinary things for their communities. They represent the very best of the UK and that core value of service which I put at the centre of everything this government does. The New Year Honours List celebrates more of these unsung heroes, and I thank them for their incredible contribution.”
Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens MP, said: “Huge congratulations to all the recipients from Wales who have been recognised on the New Year Honours List.
“It is inspirational to see the wonderful work done by so many people from a huge range of backgrounds, from every part of Wales and in every sector of life. These are people who give their time freely to raise money for charity or volunteer to help vulnerable members of their community.
“Whether their passion lies in sport, health and wellbeing or music and the arts, their contributions make a huge difference to all our lives and I’d like to thank each and every one of them.“ Get a free digest of the latest Welsh headlines delivered to your email inbox every day
The full Welsh list
The geographic listings below are written in the same way as they are released by those who distribute the honours list.
Clwyd
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Tarsem Singh Dhaliwal. Chief Executive Officer, Iceland Foods. For services to the Welsh Economy, Retail and Charity. (Mold, Clwyd)
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Sabrina Ann Fortune. For services to Athletics. (Mold, Clwyd)
Lynne Moore. Lately Service Leader, Department for Work and Pensions. For Public Service in North and Mid Wales. (Colwyn Bay, Clwyd)
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
David Anthony Bone. Volunteer, The Stroke Association. For services to Stroke Survivors and their Carers across North Wales. (Denbigh, Clwyd)
Paul Dominic Heitzman. Lately Senior Education Advisor. For services to Education. (Mold, Clwyd)
Jayne Helena Hughes. Founder, Amy and Friends. For services to Children with Rare Disorders and their Families. (Mold, Clwyd)
David Smith. Police Sergeant, North Wales Police. For services to the community in North Wales and to Charity. (Chester, Clwyd)
Dyfed
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Debbie Lane. Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the LGBT+ Cymru Helpline and Progress Cymru Counselling. For services to Inclusion, to Employment, to the LGBT+ Community and to Saving Young Lives. (Llanelli, Dyfed)
Dr Christopher Martin DL. For services to the Maritime and Port Sector. (Haverfordwest, Dyfed)
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Richard Huw Jones. For services to St. John Ambulance in Wales. (Llanelli, Dyfed)
Michael Austin Taylor. Chair of Trustees, Centre for Alternative Technology. For services to Charity and to Innovation. (Aberystwyth, Dyfed)
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
Judith Harvey. Warden Manager, Brecon Beacons National Park Authority. For services to the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. (Llandelio, Dyfed)
Paul Knight Lucas JP. For services to Education and to Charity. (Haverfordwest, Dyfed)
Gwent
Knights Bachelor
Thomas Gerald Reames Davies CBE DL. Lately President, Welsh Rugby Union. For services to Rugby Union, and to Voluntary and Charitable Service in Wales. (Pontypool, Gwent)
Companions of the Order of the Bath (CB)
Amy-Claire Elisabeth Mason. Chief Executive Officer and Director General, HM Prison and Probation Service. For Public Service. (Monmouth, Gwent)
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Louise Charlotte Smyth. Registrar of Companies and Chief Executive Officer, Companies House. For services to Public Life and to the Economy. (Newport, Gwent)
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Robert Michael Denman VR. Governor, HM Prison Usk and Prescoed. For Public Service. (Usk, Gwent)
Karen Turner. Senior Operational Support Manager, HM Prison and Probation Service Wales. For Public Service. (Pontypool, Gwent)
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Peter Lawson Bradwick. Wood Turner. For services to the Craft of Wood Turning. (Cwmbran, Gwent)
Jonathan Charlesworth. Co-Founder and Executive Director, Educational Action Challenging Homophobia. For services to Education, to Health, to Criminal Justice and to HM Government. (Abergavenny, Gwent)
Dr Rowena Christmas. Chair RCGP Wales and GP Principal, RCGP Wales and Wye Valley Practice. For services to General Practice. (Monmouth, Gwent)
Michael John Pudner Cope. President, Ebbw Vale Cricket Club and Football Club. For services to Sport, Health and Wellbeing. (Ebbw Vale, Gwent)
Claire Louise Croot. Paralegal Business Manager, Crown Prosecution Service. For services to Law and Order. (Caerphilly, Gwent)
Roger Kenneth Evans. Chair, Friends of Friendless Churches. For services to Ecclesiastical Heritage in England and Wales. (Monmouth, Gwent)
Dr Richard Arnold Charles Lea. Consultant in Acute Medicine and Clinical Director, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. For services to Acute Medicine. (Caerphilly, Gwent)
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
Carole Evelynne Hopkins. For services to the community in Magor, Monmouthshire. (Caldicot, Gwent)
Gwynedd
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Rauni Ann Lucy Higson. Silversmith. For services to Silversmithing and to Heritage Crafts. (Caernarfon, Gwynedd)
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
Trystan Wyn Lewis. Facilities Support Manager, Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor. For services to Patient Health and Wellbeing. (Caernarfon, Gwynedd)
Mid Glamorgan
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Anthony Roderic Hill. For services to the Samaritans and to Young People. (Cardiff, Mid Glamorgan)
Alan John Phillips. Lately Team Manager, Welsh Rugby Union. For services to Rugby Union Football and to Charity in Wales. (Porthcawl, Mid Glamorgan)
Lee Wong. Lately National Blood Health Team Lead, Welsh Blood Service. For services to the Welsh Blood Service. (Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan)
Anthony William Wynne. Lately President, Welsh Amateur Boxing Association. For services to Amateur Boxing. (Aberdare, Mid Glamorgan)
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
Carly Hart. Neighbourhood Support Officer, Cardiff East, South Wales Police. For services to Policing and to the community in Cardiff. (Maesteg, Mid Glamorgan)
Diane Locke. For services to the community of Penrhiwceiber, Rhondda Cynon Taff. (Mountain Ash, Mid Glamorgan)
Stephen Robert Merridew. Specialist Training Manager, Medical Biochemistry, Swansea Bay University Health Board. For services to the NHS. (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan)
Maureen Webber. Deputy Leader and Councillor for Rhydyfelin Central, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council. For services to the community in Rhydyfelin. (Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan)
Powys
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
Francesca Hilary Bell. Community Development Officer, Bannau Bycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park Authority. For services to Community Development in Bannau Bycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. (Brecon, Powys)
Frances Theresa Fenwick. For voluntary service in North Powys. (Machynlleth, Powys)
Stephen Gerrard Rigby. Founder, The Children’s Chess Club (3Cs). For services to Young People. (Welshpool, Powys)
South Glamorgan
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Tracey Burke. Director General, Welsh Government. For Public Service in Wales. (Penarth, South Glamorgan)
Gaynor Antoinette Legall. Chair, Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan Subgroups for Culture, Heritage and Sport. For Public Service and to Anti-Racism in Wales. (Cardiff, South Glamorgan)
Ruth Selina Marks MBE. Lately Chief Executive Officer, Wales Council for Voluntary Action. For services to the Voluntary Sector and to Social Partnership in Wales. (Cardiff, South Glamorgan)
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Professor David McAllister Blaney. Lately Chief Executive Officer, Higher Education Funding Council for Wales. For services to Higher Education. (Cardiff, South Glamorgan)
John Rhys Howells. Director, Welsh Government. For services to the Welsh Language. (Cardiff, South Glamorgan)
Craig Adam Maxwell. For voluntary and charitable services to Improving Outcomes for People with Cancer. (Penarth, South Glamorgan)
The Right Honourable Alun Edward Michael JP. Lately Police and Crime Commissioner, South Wales. For services to Public Safety. (Penarth, South Glamorgan)
Kevin Hugh Tumelty. Head of Security, Senedd Cymru. For services to Public and Parliamentary Security. (Cardiff, South Glamorgan)
Professor Zaheer Raza Yousef. Consultant Cardiologist, University Hospital of Wales. For services to the Treatment of Heart Failure. (Penarth, South Glamorgan)
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Moawia Bin-Sufyan JP FRSA. For services to Community Cohesion and Inter-Faith Relations in South Wales. (South Glamorgan)
Bethan Darwin. Founder, Superwoman Wales. For services to Women in Business and to Charity. (Cardiff, South Glamorgan)
Hywel Rhys Edward Peterson. For Voluntary and Charitable Services. (Cardiff, South Glamorgan)
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
Conway Keith Hawkins. For services to Young People. (Cowbridge, South Glamorgan)
Richard Gavin Rowland Griffiths Parry. Accompanist. For services to Music and to Choral Singing. (Cardiff, South Glamorgan)
King’s Police Medal (KPM)
Jeremy Mark Vaughan. Chief Constable, South Wales Police. (South Wales)
West Glamorgan
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Janice Victoria Williams OBE. Chair, Swansea Bay University Health Board. For Public Service. (Swansea, West Glamorgan)
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Wendy Ansell. Specialist Midwife, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. For services to Survivors of Harmful Practices and to Women Seeking Sanctuary. (Swansea, West Glamorgan)
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
David John James. Secretary, Ceredigion County Bowling Association. For Voluntary Service. (Neath, West Glamorgan)
Andrew Vaughan John. Chair, Aberavon Rugby Football Club. For services to Charity and to Business. (Port Talbot, West Glamorgan)
Karen Pitt. Senior Telecoms Engineer, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. For services to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Skills. (Swansea, West Glamorgan)
Also:
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Professor Florence Susan Thim Peck Wong. Professor of Diabetes and Metabolism, Cardiff University and Honorary Consultant Physician in Diabetes, University Hospital of Wales. For services to Diabetes and Metabolism. (Bristol, Bristol)
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Dr Tracey Anne Cooper. Chief Executive, Public Health Wales NHS Trust. For services to Healthcare and to Public Health. (Coleford, Gloucestershire)
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Emma Marion Finucane. For services to Cycling. (Stockport, Greater Manchester) – Born in Carmarthen.
Jodie Michelle Grinham. For services to Archery. (Crawley, West Sussex)
Professor Clare Elizabeth Wilkinson. Emeritus Professor of General Practice, North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research, Bangor University. For services to Primary Care Research, Teaching and Practice. (Wirral, Merseyside)
Anyone can nominate someone for an honour. If you know someone who has achieved fantastic things worthy of recognition, you can nominate them at https://www.gov.uk/honours.