Three alumni recognised in the King’s New Year Honours list

Our congratulations to the three King's alumni who have been recognised in the King’s New Year Honours list for 2026:

Richard Farnes (KC 1983) has been awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for services to Music.

Richard’s distinguished career spans both symphonic music and opera. He was a Chorister in the King's College Choir before entering Eton College as a music scholar in 1977. He returned to King's as Organ Scholar in 1983, and later studied at the Royal Academy of Music, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and the National Opera Studio. He has conducted a wide range of orchestras in the UK and across the world. With the BBC Symphony Orchestra he has appeared at the BBC Proms in London and at the Dubai Proms. From 2004 to 2016 he was Music Director of Opera North in Leeds.

Professor Jennifer Rubin (KC 1990), who until recently served as Chief Scientific Advisor and Director General, Science, Technology, Analysis and Research in the Home Office, has also been awarded a CBE for services to Science and Analysis. 

And social anthropologist and oral historian Dr Bea Lewkowicz (KC 1989) has been made an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for services to Holocaust Remembrance and Education.