Professor Graham Baldwin DL (Sports Science MSc, 1991), Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lancashire, has been awarded an OBE for services to higher education. Graham has spent his career in higher education, ensuring it is accessible to people from all economic and social backgrounds. As well as being a Vice-Chancellor, he is also Board Chair of the University Vocational Awards Council, a Board member of Universities UK, Chair of Lancashire Innovation Board, Chair of the Maritime Skills Commission, Chair of MillionPlus, and Chair of Preston Regeneration Board. Last year, Graham was also appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire.
Richard Bernard (Physical Education and Sports Science BSc, 1993; PGCE, 1994), Executive Headteacher of the NSB Trust, has been awarded an MBE for services to education. The NSB Trust is a multi-academy trust in Northampton, operating the Northampton School for Boys and the Northampton School. Richard has been the Headteacher of NSB (Northampton School for Boys) since 2014 and has also held an executive role in the development of Northampton School and the wider NSB Trust. Over the last twelve years, Richard has brought the vision of the Trust to life, inspiring and empowering its students to reach their potential. Earlier in his career, Richard taught in Somerset and at other schools in Northamptonshire and was also an Ofsted Inspector. He has also been involved in youth sport throughout his career – particularly through tennis and football – having captained tennis during his time at Loughborough.
Loughborough Lightning and Red Roses legend Emily Scarratt has received an OBE for services to rugby union. During her career, Emily gained 119 caps for the England and is their all-time leading points scorer. She was part of the England side that won the 2025 World Cup – her second having also won in 2014 – and lifted 11 Six Nations titles. At the Rio 2016 Games, Emily captained Team GB’s squad to a fourth-place finish, and she also won bronze with the England Sevens at the Commonwealth Games in 2018. She had an outstanding 17-year-long career as a player and retired last year. Since then, she has continued her involvement with Loughborough Lightning as an assistant coach and joined the coaching set-up for the Red Roses (England), supporting their Six Nations campaign as an attack coach.
Many congratulations to those recognised in the Honours list.
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