King’s Birthday Honours List 2025 - we chat to the West Berkshire and North Hampshire residents recognised in this year’s honours list
As the good news continues to sink in across the district, we have been catching up with some of those recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List.
AWE has been celebrating after three people from the Nuclear Security Technologies featured in the list, which was released on Friday night.
Professor Andrew Randewich was appointed a CBE for services to defence, John Whitaker was appointed an OBE for services to nuclear deterrence and Giles Hartill was appointed an MBE for services to engineering.
Professor Randewich is AWE’s executive director of science. Appointed as a visiting professor at Imperial College London in 2012, he is a chartered physicist, a chartered engineer, a Fellow of the Institute of Physics and a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
He joined AWE in 1997 and his work has included physics assessment, mathematical modelling, code development and research on space and DT laser plasmas.
Mr Whitaker recently retired after nearly 50 years supporting the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
A mechanical engineer at AWE since 1979, he worked on world-leading technologies to preserve the credibility of the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
His work inspired ongoing developments which continue to assure the viability of the UK’s nuclear deterrent and in developing the next generation of nuclear defence engineers.
Mr Hartill was recognised for his services to engineering, including his charitable work for the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) of which he is a Fellow and Past President (2023/24).
He currently works as AWE’s chief technologist after joining in 2003 as a graduate engineer.
He became a chartered engineer, gaining a Distinction in his MSc at Loughborough University and also features on the Royal Academy of Engineering and Transport for London’s themed Engineering
Icons Tube map, at Southwark Station on the Jubilee Line, for his contributions to military and defence.
AWE’s CEO Nick Elliott said: “I am delighted that Andrew, John and Giles’ contribution has been recognised with national awards in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours list this year.
“Their work plays a hugely significant role in protecting the UK and our allies, not just here at AWE but also nationally and internationally.
“We are privileged to be able to work alongside colleagues like Andrew, Giles and John. They represent the best of what we do here at AWE and their recognition is a reflection of both their own achievements and that of the company.
“Not only have they made a direct and ongoing contribution to strategic deterrence, but their leadership and mentoring of the next generation of scientists and engineers, will help to maintain that for decades to come.
“Congratulations to Andrew, John and Giles.”
Gareth Capner, a long-standing member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), has been appointed an OBE for services to good quality housing.
He was involved in the planning process for a number of local developments, including Vodafone’s headquarters at Shaw, Greenham Business Park, Manor Park, Dunstan Park and Kennet Lea.
He became the first town planning associate at Barton Willmore, later founding the Barton Willmore Planning Partnership.
As Senior Partner from 1996 until his retirement in 2008, Mr Capner grew the practice to become the UK’s largest independent planning consultancy, employing over 350 staff across 13 offices with a turnover of £33 million.
He remains actively involved in planning matters as a volunteer in his local community, including contributions to the Whitchurch Neighbourhood Plan.
He said: “I have been involved in housing and planning in the public sector, for a long time in the private sector and now in a volunteer capacity for my local community and other organisations.
“It has been a very rewarding experience and it has been a great privilege to receive this honour from His Majesty.”
Dr Victoria Hills, chief executive of the RTPI, added: “Congratulations to Gareth on this richly deserved honour, and thank you for your lasting contributions to the profession and the quality of housing in the UK.”
Grace Muir, founder and CEO of HEROS charity, has been appointed an MBE.
The charity, which was set up in 2006, specialises in retraining and rehoming former racehorses and is an education provision for young people with special educational needs.
“This is the biggest honour of my life, I am passionate about what I do, because I truly and wholly love my work, it’s my life,” she said.
“To be recognised and awarded an MBE on The King’s Birthday Honour’s List is incredible and beyond my wildest dreams.
“I could have not envisaged all those years ago, what HEROS has become and the journey it would take me on.
“I feel honoured to be at helm of such and amazing organisation, that changes and improves the lives of horses and young people.
“We won’t be resting here, as there is still so much work to do and I can’t wait to see what the next chapter of HEROS has in store for me and the amazing team of people behind me and HEROS.”
Growing up on the West Berkshire/South Oxfordshire border, she has devoted her time to improving the lives of former racehorses, by retraining and rehabilitating them after their racing career to give them a new, long, safe and happy life.
In 2015, with funding from The Racing Foundation, she founded HEROS Education to give young people, who very a variety of reasons, struggle within their lives and learning environments the opportunity to learn and thrive in a safe, beautiful and secure environment.
Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s chief nurse and deputy chief executive, Julie Dawes, has bee n appointed an MBE in recognition of her contribution to nursing and the NHS.
Ms Dawes has been a nurse for 45 years and an NHS board director for more than 20 years.
During that time, she has been instrumental in inspiring excellence in nursing care, in increasing recruitment to the profession and in developing nurse leaders for the future.
Outside the NHS, she is a trustee of Naomi House and Jacksplace Children’s Hospice.
She said: “I am both surprised and over the moon to be awarded an MBE and I consider this a great honour.
“I’ve had the most rewarding career as a nurse and remain as passionate today as I was when I did my nurse training many years ago.
“It’s a huge privilege to come into work every day and feel that your role is making a difference and I have had the opportunity to meet, and work alongside, some of the most amazing, talented, committed and overwhelmingly kind people who I would like to thank for the support they have given me.”
Celebrating the award, Alex Whitfield, chief executive of Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, added: “I am incredibly proud and grateful to have Julie as part of our team.
“She is a truly inspiring leader who always puts patients at the centre of decision-making, ensuring their voices are heard and that care is safe and provided with kindness and respect.
“A massive advocate for the nursing profession, Julie has helped shape the future of nursing through her support, guidance, and belief in others. Her impact will be felt for many years to come, both here and across the NHS.
“Huge congratulations Julie, from everyone at Hampshire Hospitals.”
Estelle Bailey, chief executive of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT), has also been appointed an MBE for services to nature recovery.
She has enjoyed a 25-year career with The Wildlife Trusts movement, with 11 years as chief executive at BBOWT.
She said: “I am incredibly grateful to receive this honour which reflects the remarkable team I have the privilege of working with at the Trust. Without our volunteers, supporters, members, trustees and staff none of the amazing achievements the Trust has delivered for wildlife would be possible.
“Our reserves are havens for wildlife, our centres bring people closer to nature, our education programmes spark a passion for nature in the next generation and our landscape projects bring partners together in a shared vision to restore our natural world.
“I am proud of the impact of the Trust and our ambition for nature continues to grow.”
George Levvy, chair of BBOWT, added: “It is terrific news that Estelle has been awarded an MBE in recognition of her services to nature recovery in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
“The award is a reflection of the tremendous successes the Trust has achieved under her inspiring leadership.
“For more than 25 years her passion for and commitment to nature’s recovery has shone through in everything she does. Estelle’s drive and determination has seen BBOWT transformed into an organisation focused on people, social justice, inclusion and harnessing behavioural change to help reach a key vision of ‘more nature everywhere, for everyone’.”
During her tenure, Ms Bailey has overseen substantial growth at BBOWT, and the trust is now one of the largest wildlife trusts in the UK with more than 80 nature reserves, 150 staff and over 60,000 members.
Rachel Gardner-Poole, the director of Aviascia, from Pewsey, has been appointed an OBE for services to aviation.
James Bowen-Dawes, founder and director of Dawes Highway Safety, from Andover, has been appointed an MBE for services to road safety.
Professor Robert Chilcott, emeritus professors of toxicology at the University of Hertfordshire, from Andover, has been appointed an MBE for services to national security.
Also from Andover, Colonel Clive Ward, secretary of the Hampshire branch of the Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Airmen’s Families Association, has been awarded a BEM for services to veterans.
The founder of a Newbury charity has said she is “incredibly honoured” to have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List.
Meryl Praill, founder and CEO of Newbury Soup Kitchen, has been appointed an MBE in the honours, which were announced on Friday evening, for services to the community in Newbury.
There was also an MBE for Luke Humphries. The Newbury darts sensation produced a brilliant surge just two weeks ago to defeat World Champion Luke Littler and clinch his maiden BetMGM Premier League title at The O2 in London.
There was also an MBE for Lavinia Britton, a campaigner from Newbury, for her services to people with dementia and their carers.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “This year’s Birthday Honours List is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary dedication, compassion, and service that exists in every corner of our country.
"From community champions to cultural icons, each recipient reflects the very best of Britain.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to them all.”
