2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours List recognises University alumni and staff

Congratulations to the alumni and staff members from the University who have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for their outstanding contributions to society.

Alumni Lee Child, Clive Humby, and Lee Elliot Major
Lee Child, Clive Humby and Lee Elliot Major

Those who have been recognised will be invited to an investiture at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle in the coming weeks, where they will receive their medal in person from the Queen or a member of the Royal Family.

Alumni who will be receiving Honours include:

Lee Child (LLB Law 1977, Hon LittD 2009) appointed a CBE for services to Literature

Lee (the pseudonym of Jim Grant) is the worldwide bestselling crime author of the Jack Reacher novels. Since the first book’s publication in 1997 he has released over 20 novels, all the while supporting the University, both as a generous donor providing scholarships, and as a speaker at events with students where he has shared his writing expertise, and at alumni receptions.

Clive Humby (BSc Applied Maths and Computer Science 1975, Hon DEng 2016) appointed an OBE for services to Data and Business in the UK

Clive is a leading marketing analyst and a pioneer in data analytics, and it was his company (dunnhumby) which was behind the ground-breaking, international loyalty card scheme for Tesco. Clive has now turned his attention to social media as Chief Data Scientist for Starcount.

Dr Lee Elliot Major (BSc Physics 1990, PhD Physics 1994, Hon DSc 2017) appointed an OBE for services to social mobility

Lee is now Professor of Social Mobility at the University of Exeter, a Trustee at the Education Endowment Foundation, and was until recently the Chief Executive Officer at the Sutton Trust, a foundation which improves social mobility in the UK through evidence-based programmes, research and policy advocacy.

Dr Keith Clarkson (BSc Zoology 1979, PhD Zoology 1985) appointed an MBE for services to wildlife conservation

Keith has spent a career working with wildlife and was, until his recent retirement, the manager for Bempton Cliffs Nature Reserve in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Under his leadership visitors to the reserve more than doubled generating real growth for the local area and helping ensure the continued conservation of the site.

Professor Jim Norton (BEng Electrical Engineering 1974, Hon DEng 2003) appointed an OBE for services to Engineering and the Digital Economy

Professor Norton is a Visiting Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and is currently Pro-Chancellor at Coventry University and Chair of the Royal Academy of Engineering Community of Practice in Digital Systems Engineering.

Poppy Gustafsson (née Prentis) (BSc Mathematics 2003) appointed an OBE for services to the cyber security industry

Poppy is co-CEO and co-founder of Darktrace, a cyber security firm pioneering the use of AI in cyber defence.

Wendy Coomber (LLB Law 1966) appointed an MBE for services to young people in Cheshire

Wendy has volunteered for over 22 years in various governance roles and is the former Chairman of the board of trustees for the Stockport based Together Trust.

Tim Wheeler (BA Classics 1982) appointed an MBE for services to charity and to education

Tim is the Headmaster of Stockport Grammar Junior School and has been Chair of the Little Princess Trust for the past 8 years.

Jonathan Vaughan (BSc Ecology 2001) appointed an MBE for services to combating the illegal wildlife trade in Malawi

Jonathan is the executive director Lilongwe Wildlife Trust and is a wildlife conservationist working alongside the Malawi government to stop illegal sales of wildlife.

Arnab Dutt (BA Politics 1986) appointed an OBE for services to small businesses, diversity and equality

Arnab is chief executive of Market Harborough manufacturer Dexo Technologies and sits on a number of boards including the SME advisory panel at the Cabinet Office.

Dr Janet Metcalfe (BSc Chemistry 1976, PhD Chemistry 1980) appointed an OBE for services to Researcher Career Development

Janet was recognised for her work influencing researcher development practice and policy globally as the Head of Vitae, a non-profit programme part of CRAC, a Career Development Organisation.

Honorary graduate Professor Richard Carwardine (Hon LittD 2015), an eminent historian and former member of staff and Professor of American History in the University of Sheffield’s Department of History, was also appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) for services to the study of American history in the UK and the USA.

David McKown, who has worked at the University for 27 years, has been appointed an MBE for services to Hospitality Training and Education. David is Head of Training and Quality in Accommodation and Commercial Services at the University, and over nearly three decades David has spearheaded a series of projects to boost training and education in the hospitality sector, both at the University of Sheffield and across the country.