The 2025 New Year Honours List, released in the name of King Charles III, has recognized the contributions of over 30 Indian-origin professionals across various fields, highlighting their impact on British society. From community leaders and academics to medics and campaigners, the honorees have been celebrated for their remarkable contributions.
One of the most distinguished recipients is Ranil Malcolm Jayawardena, a Conservative Member of Parliament with Sri Lankan and Indian heritage, who has been knighted for his contributions to politics and public service. Joining him is Gareth Southgate, former manager of the England men’s football team, who was also knighted for his service to the sport.
The Honours List, issued annually by the Cabinet Office on behalf of the monarch, highlights over 1,200 exceptional individuals across the UK, acknowledging their efforts to uplift communities and promote excellence in their respective fields. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised the honorees, emphasizing their dedication to community service and their role as role models for society.
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBEs):
- Satwant Kaur Deol – Services to further education.
- Charles Pritam Singh Dhanowa OBE – Services to competition law.
- Professor Sneh Khemka – Services to healthcare, science, and innovation.
- Leena Nair, Global CEO of Chanel – Services to the retail and consumer sector.
- Mayank Prakash, President of the British Computing Society – Services to advancing technology professionals.
- Purnima Murthy Tanuku OBE, CEO of the National Day Nurseries Association – Services to early years education.
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBEs):
- Professor Sanjay Arya – Services to healthcare and ethnic minority doctors.
- Nandini Das, Professor at the University of Oxford – Services to interdisciplinary research and public engagement.
- Tarsem Singh Dhaliwal, CEO of Iceland Foods – Contributions to the Welsh economy and charity.
- Jasmine Dotiwala – Services to broadcasting, music, and diversity.
- Monica Kohli, President of Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association UK – Promoting diversity in the maritime industry.
- Soumya Majumdar from the Crown Prosecution Service – Services to law and order.
- Seema Misra – Advocacy for scandal-hit subpostmasters.
- Ushma Manhar Patel, Prime Minister’s diary manager – Public service.
- Mental health campaigner Gian Singh Power and Sravya Rao from the Department for Business and Trade have also been honored for their public service.
Several individuals were also celebrated for their work at the community level. Among them, Dalim Kumar Basu, a technology expert, received an MBE, while charity worker Jaswinder Kumar and postal worker Hemandra Hindocha were awarded British Empire Medals (BEMs).
Veteran musician Balbir Singh Khanpur Bhujhangy was recognized with a BEM for his role in preserving and promoting Bhangra music and Punjabi culture in the UK.
In addition to the Indian-origin honorees, the 2025 list features other high-profile names. Nobel laureate Sir Kazuo Ishiguro was admitted to the exclusive Companion of Honour for his contributions to literature, while actor and mental health advocate Stephen Fry was knighted for his tireless efforts in raising awareness about mental health issues.
