Our warm congratulations to the King's members who have been recognised in the 2024 New Year Honours:
Composer Judith Weir CBE (KC 1973 and Honorary Fellow) has been awarded Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (GBE), for services to music.
The first woman to hold the post of Master of the King’s (and previously Queen’s) Music, Judith Weir is an acclaimed composer and musician, best known for her operas and theatrical works. In 2018, a specially written carol by Judith was sung at the 100th anniversary service of A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, and her composition Brighter Visions Shine Afar was performed before the ceremony at the coronation of King Charles III.
GBE is the highest rank in the Order, and rarely awarded, to recognise the most exceptional and sustained service to the UK. Since its creation in 1917, fewer than 80 women have been awarded a GBE.
Dr Gillian Tett, the 45th Provost of King’s, has been awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for services to economic journalism. The Provost, a Cambridge alumna, is a member of the Financial Times editorial board and co-founder of FT’s ‘Moral Money’, a thrice weekly newsletter that tracks the ESG revolution in business.
Following the announcement, the Provost commented:
I am deeply honoured to receive an OBE, and hope this helps to champion the importance of British intellectual capital, both in journalism and higher education. Thank you to everyone who has helped me in my career.
Dr Samantha Callan (KC 1984) has been awarded an OBE for services to victims of domestic abuse. She is director and co-founder of The Family Hubs Network Ltd.
Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg (KC 1976) has been awarded an OBE for services to the Jewish Community and to interfaith relations.
And Stephen Baldock (KC 1963) has been awarded a BEM for services to the community in Over Wallop, Hampshire.
