Two pharmacists recognised in the King’s New Year Honours List 2025

The Prime Minister expresses his gratitude to the New Year Honours recipients for their incredible contributions 

The King’s New Year Honours List 2025 has been announced, recognising unsung heroes who have made outstanding contributions to their communities across the UK.

Over 1,200 individuals were honoured this year across various sectors, including healthcare, academia, sports, and voluntary service.

Two pharmacists were honoured for their exceptional contributions to public health:

Laura Catherine McIver, former chief pharmacist at Healthcare Improvement Scotland, was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for her services to the pharmacy profession and patient safety.

Alan Malcom Kurtz, proprietor and manager of Fishers Chemist in South Norwood, London, received a Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for services to community pharmacy.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer thanked the recipients, saying: “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.”

Youngest honourees

This year’s youngest recipients include:

Mikayla Daisy Beames, 18, awarded a BEM for her charitable fundraising for children with cancer in Oxfordshire. After being diagnosed with brain cancer at four years old, she founded her namesake charity, Team Mikayla in 2014, which is dedicated to granting the wishes of children who are fighting cancer.

As of this year, the charity has granted 220 wishes to children with cancer and raised over £300,000 since 2014.

Paralympian William Ellard, 18, received an MBE for winning three medals, including gold, at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris.

Rebecca Clarke, 20, awarded a BEM for services to young people with disabilities and autism.

She advocates for marginalised young people with a strong emphasis on intersectionality. Through her work with NCS, she has contributed to shaping disability policy by submitting evidence to the Disability Access Youth Select Committee and sharing her personal experiences with over 400 individuals.

Of the 1,203 awards, 1,053 were given at BEM, MBE, and OBE levels.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Rt Hon. Pat McFadden MP, congratulated all for their achievements.

“Our honours system uniquely recognises the generous contributions of individuals across our nation,” he said.

He encourages people to nominate those who have done something extraordinary in the community for an honour so the nation can recognise their achievements.