LSE alumni honoured in King’s New Year list

We are delighted to congratulate the nine members of our alumni community who have received honours from HM King Charles III and from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor of Canada this new year.

The King's Honours system is a way of giving public recognition for merit, service or bravery and is announced twice a year - on the King's official birthday in June and at the beginning of each calendar year. Those recognised represent a wide range of fields, from politics and economics to arts, energy, and social impact. They join an LSE community of over 800 honourees, reflecting the far-reaching influence of LSE alumni and the vital role of social sciences in shaping society and driving positive change.

Martin Baker (MSc Industrial Relations 1985)

Martin Baker has received an MBE for services to broadcasting. Martin is Chief Commercial Affairs Officer and Managing Director at the UK broadcaster Channel 4, where he has been responsible for the channel’s key sporting relationships. This has involved leading on coverage of the Paralympic Games, which has become a flagship example of inclusive broadcasting, amplifying athletes’ stories and delivering wider representation for disability sports since the London 2012 Olympics.

Mark Bonham (BSc Economics 1985, MSc Economics 1986)

In addition to the King’s New Year Honours, we are delighted to congratulate Canadian alumnus Mark Bonham who has been awarded the Order of Canada by the Governor General. Mark is President of the investment management firm Bonham and Co Inc. and is executive director of the non-profit charity The Veritas Foundation. His honour is in recognition of his expertise in financial services, his leadership of the LGBTQ+ community, and his support of post-secondary education.

On his award, Mark said:

I am overwhelmed with emotion and truly honoured to have received the Order of Canada today from the Governor General. I have been inspired by so many others to contribute to the best of my abilities, help others, and do the right thing. LSE has been a crucial part of my life and success – I am deeply grateful. I hope I can inspire others on their journey.

Mark Bonham has been an invaluable contributor to LSE's alumni community, most recently as a founding donor of the LSE Canadian Scholarship Fund. His dedication and generous contributions have helped transform the support available for Canadian students at LSE. Mark’s commitment to education and his enduring relationship with LSE exemplify the spirit of giving and the impact it can have on future generations.

David Cutler (MSc Public Policy and Administration 1994)

David Cutler has been awarded an OBE for services to charity. David is Director of the Baring Foundation, an independent foundation which seeks to protect and advance human rights and inclusion.

Anneliese Dodds (MPhil Government 2006)

Anneliese Dodds has been awarded a DBE for services to politics and public life, in recognition of her roles as a Member of Parliament in the UK and former International Development Officer. Anneliese was elected to the European Parliament in 2014 before being elected as MP of Oxford East in 2017. While in government, Anneliese served as Minister of State for Development and Minister of State for Women and Equalities.

Ekow Eshun (BSc Government and History 1990)

Ekow Eshun has received an OBE for his services to the arts. Ekow is a writer, broadcaster and curator, having published books, presented documentaries, and curated exhibitions. In 1997, Ekow became the first Black editor of the men’s magazine Arena, and in 2005, He published his memoir, Black Gold of the Sun. In 2015, Ekow moved to the Institute of Contemporary Arts, increasing attendance figures by 38 per cent, and has curated exhibitions focusing on race and identity at various UK institutions. Since 2022, Ekow has also presented documentaries on BBC4, BBC Radio and the Tate.

Funmi Lawal (MSc Analysis, Design and Management of Information 1995)

Funmi Lawal has received an MBE in recognition of her services to disability, entrepreneurship and volunteering. Funmi’s journey to this honour began in 2022 when she suffered a stroke following the birth of her second child. Her experience of losing privacy and independence during her recuperation inspired her to found Clip-Knix – an adaptive underwear brand.

On her honour, Funmi said:

I am a stroke survivor. I suffered a stroke as a result of eclampsia, which later led me to kidney failure, years on dialysis, and eventually a life-saving transplant. Alongside the physical challenges, life tested me in deeply personal ways. I lost both of my parents just 364 days apart. Then, in 2021, I lost my son, the greatest heartbreak of my life. To be recognised today for my work as an inventor, holding a patent for Clip-Knix, an entrepreneur, a disability advocate, and a volunteer is both humbling and deeply affirming. This honour tells me that lived experience matters. That disability does not diminish contribution. And that service, even when born from pain, has value. I accept this honour not just for myself, but for everyone who keeps going when life asks the impossible of them. For those who turn survival into service. For those who choose purpose over despair.

Dr Bea Lewkowicz (MPhil European Studies 2000)

Dr Bea Lewkowicz has been awarded an OBE for her services to Holocaust remembrance and education. In 2003, Bea co-founded the Association of Jewish Refugees Refugee Voices Testimony Archive. Through this, Bea has built the UK’s largest collection of Holocaust Testimony and has also led on the development of the Holocaust Testimony UK Portal, an education resource that pools records and information from across a range of organisations into one central hub.

On receiving her OBE, Bea has said:

I feel very honoured to have received this meaningful award for my work in Holocaust education and remembrance. My career has been guided by a belief in the enduring power of testimony. At a time when Holocaust denial and distortion, and antisemitism are on the rise, and memory moves into history, I hope that the voices of the survivors will continue to shape Holocaust education, research and public engagement, now and in the future.

John Mark Pettigrew (BSc Economics 1988)

John Pettigrew has been made CBE in recognition of his services to energy. John spent his career working for the National Grid, ultimately rising to the position of Group CEO in 2016. Retiring at the end of 2025, in total, John held 12 roles over 35 years within the National Grid.

On his CBE, John said:

I couldn’t feel prouder or more humbled to have been appointed a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in the King’s New Year Honours list 2026, for services to Energy. More than anything, this is a testament to the many wonderful people I have worked with over the years, both at National Grid, where I spent 35 years of my career, and across the wider energy industry. I am deeply grateful for all the experiences and relationships that have shaped my journey so far, and I remain committed to championing the values of innovation and progress that define British business and culture.

Professor Andrew J Scott (BSc Economics 1990)

Professor Andrew J Scott has received a CBE for his service to economics, research and public discourse. Andrew is a leading expert on the economics of longevity and ageing societies and currently holds the positions of Professor of Economics at London Business School, Senior Director of Economics at the Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford, and a Research Fellow at the Centre for Economic Policy Research.

Andrew has said on receiving his award:

My whole career and research have been driven by the belief that it is crucial to go from ideas to impact so it is obviously a source of great pleasure to receive this award. My time at LSE, both as a post-grad and a researcher, was deeply formative. Both in terms of the quality of people I interacted and worked with and the lively debate, but also the recognition that producing good ideas required hard work and mental discipline, and that those ideas needed to be focused on issues that matter for society.

These honours reflect the breadth of sectors in which LSE alumni are making a difference – from arts and politics to economics, energy, and social impact – showcasing the global influence of LSE and the power of social sciences to shape a better world.

In addition to our alumni, LSE staff members Professor Tony Travers and Professor Jonathan Wadsworth were also recognised in the New Year Honours. Find out more.