Community nurses are among the 1,200 ‘extraordinary’ people who have been recognised in the King’s New Year Honours list 2025.
The honourees include the former chief nursing officer (CNO) for Scotland, the founder of the British Indian Nurses Association (BINA) and a nurse leader in Sickle Cell care.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said the recipients are ‘an inspiration to all of us’ and represent the ‘very best’ of the nursing profession.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) said the recognition of those in the 2025 list was ‘a testament to the diversity and excellence’ within the professions.
Among those awarded was Matilda Asante-Owusu, a community matron who received an MBE for her services to patients with sickle cell disorder at Whittington Hospital in Archway.
‘When I first saw the letter on the floor, I thought it was a fine! Opening it was a complete shock, but also an incredible moment. I feel deeply honoured and overwhelmed by this recognition,’ Ms Asante-Owusu said.
Related Article: Second world nursing report to be launched on International Nurses Day
Ms Asante-Owusu explained that patients are ‘at the heart’ of her work and said the opportunity to make a difference and raise awareness about sickle cell is what drives her every day.
Mr Coumarassamy is currently deputy chief operating officer at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and has a background in mental health nursing.
‘It’s a big moment for me and my family, this means a lot to my BINA team and is a big moment for our community,’ he told Nursing in Practice.
‘We [BINA] are reaching out to our people and we are giving hope to many Indian nurses.’
Mr Coumarassamy added that ‘a lot of work’ is needed to tackle discrimination and improve the representation of Indian nurses in higher level nursing roles.
‘So, moving forward, I think it’s about how we are going to unlock that potential and have more people in senior positions within the NHS,’ he said.
The former CNO for Scotland, Professor Alex McMahon, was also recognised for his services to nursing in Scotland.
Professor McMahon served as CNO from October 2021 until April 2024, and has been replaced on an interim basis by former deputy CNO for Scotland Anne Armstrong.
Related Article: New report offers practice nurses with tips and advice on negotiating pay
Several other nurses working across community and social care, as well as specialist and community nursing were also recognised.
Responding to the New Year Honours List 2025, RCN president Sheilabye Sobrany congratulated all those working in health and care who had been recognised.
‘Your work and tireless dedication to nursing and your patients act as an inspiration to all of us,’ she said.
‘All of those honoured should be proud of what you do in representing the very best of the profession.’
She added: ‘Nursing is held in the highest regard by the public and we should be encouraged to see our highly skilled colleagues acknowledged in this way. It is hoped this will bring even more people into a hugely fulfilling career.’
Posting on X, England’s CNO Duncan Burton shared his congratulations with the 2025 Honours recipients.
‘I am very proud to see these #teamCNO colleagues, alongside other colleagues and volunteers from across the NHS, health and social care, recognised. Congratulations to you all and thank you for your valuable contributions,’ he wrote.
Related Article: New qualification aims to help care leaders harness cutting-edge technology
List of nurses included in 2025 New Year Honours list:
- Ann Geraldine Gow, director, nursing and systems improvement and deputy chief executive, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, awarded an OBE
- Asma Pandor, lead admiral nurse, Dementia UK, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, awarded an OBE
- Deirdre Anne Webb, lately assistant director of nursing for healthcare. For services to Women, Children and Families in Northern Ireland, awarded an OBE
- Edwin Charinge Ndlovu, chief operating officer and deputy chief executive, East London NHS Foundation Trust, awarded an MBE
- Dr Gillian Mary CHUMBLEY, consultant nurse, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, awarded an OBE
- Jacynth Althea Ivey, board member, NHS Race and Health Observatory, awarded an MBE
- Jennifer Caguioa, lately international recruitment and minorities nurse advisor at NHS England, lately head of Florence Nightingale Foundation (FNF) Global, awarded an MBE
- Julie Ann Charalambous, lately proprietor, Westcott House Nursing and Residential Care Home, awarded an MBE
- Lieutenant commander Katie Romanowska, Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service, awarded the King’s Commendation for Valuable Service
- Lieutenant commander Kim Cockcroft Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service, awarded the Royal Red Cross
- Lesley Caron Rutherford, nurse consultant, Marie Curie, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and Queens University Belfast, awarded an OBE
- Margaret Clark, emergency laparotomy nurse specialist, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, awarded an OBE
- Marimouttou Coumaramassy, deputy chief operating officer at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust, founder and chair of the British Indian Nurse Association (BINA), awarded an MBE
- Dr Marion Shirley Andrews-Evans, lately executive chief nurse, NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board, awarded an OBE
- Matilda Asante-Owusu, sickle cell community matron, Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre, Whittington Health NHS Trust, awarded an OBE
- Professor Alexander McMahon, lately chief nursing officer for Scotland, awarded a CBE
- Rebecca Daniels, community children’s matron and chair, UK Community Children’s Nursing Network and lead, Children’s Community Nursing Project, Queen’s Nursing Institute, awarded an MBE
- Zoe Amanda Packman, deputy director, nursing service delivery, transformation and resilience, NHS England, awarded an MBE
