With the announcement of the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025, we extend our congratulations to our alumni (and friends) who have been recognised and celebrate their outstanding achievements.
The individuals below exemplify the leadership and inspiration that defines Durham worldwide. We are pleased to honour their connection with Durham University.
Amongst the recipients are alumna and author Dame Pat Barker, for her contribution to the world of literature, alumna Mariella Marzano, a social scientist in forest research, and alumnus and former school principal, Melvyn Roffe.
2025 Honours List (alphabetical by surname):
• Dr Stephen Baker (Physics and Chemistry of Materials/ Applied Physics and Electronics, Hatfield College, 1977-80/1980-85)OBE For services to Scotland-Japan Trade and Investment
• Dame Patricia Margaret Barker CBE (Education, Neville’s Cross, 1965-1966)DBE For services to Literature
• Ben Chisanga (Social Work, Ustinov College, 2017-20) MBE For services to Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children
• Damon Patrick de Laszlo DL (Honorary Master of Science, 2019) CBE For services to the Manufacturing Industry and to Scientific and Charitable Causes
• Sir Peter Rene Lauener (Economics, Collingwood College, 1972-75)CB For services to Education
• Luke Henry Walter March (Law & Politics, St John’s College, 1970-73)OBE For services to Healthcare and Charitable Causes
• Mariella Marzano (Anthropology, Ustinov College, 1997-98/1998-2003)OBE For services to Forestry
• Andrew Murdoch (Geology, Van Mildert College, 1991-94)CMG For services to British Foreign Policy
• Christopher Rampling (Economics & Politics, Van Mildert College, 1992-95CMG For services to British Foreign Policy and National Security
• Professor Andrew Randewich (Physics, University College, 1990-93)CBE For services to Defence
• Carolyn Roberts (Adult Education & Learning, 1989-91) MBE For services to Education
• Melvyn Westley Roffe (Education, Graduate Society, 1985-86)MBE For services to Education and to the community in Edinburgh
• Daria Jean Taylor (Sociology of Social Policy, 1986-90)OBE For Political and Public Service
• Beverley Tew (Economics, Trevelyan College, 1986-89)CMG For services to International Development, Commerce and Charity
• Professor Maurice Whitehead (French, Hatfield College, 1971-75)MBE For services to the development of British Heritage in Rome, Italy
We also offer congratulations to our wider community, including:
• Professor Sano Allan Kellehear – Professor at Northumbria University and honorary Professor at Durham OBE For services to Palliative Care
• Dame Susan Snowdon - His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for County DurhamDCVO In recognition of her role as Lord-Lieutenant
• Read about our staff who were honoured in the list. • Read about The King’s Birthday Honours List 2025 and view full details.• Discover the nomination and submission process on the submission process from UK Government.
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