The county of Kent has been prominently featured in the King's New Year Honours list for 2025, with a wide array of its residents receiving prestigious awards. These honours recognise exceptional dedication across many fields, from public service and charity to education, sport, and local enterprise.
Public Service and Governance Leaders Honoured
The list underscores Kent's significant contribution to the nation's civic framework. Sarah Lee, a Deputy Director at HM Prison and Probation Service based in Canterbury, is recognised for her public service, specifically in education, employment and skills. Similarly, Christine Salmon Percival from Sevenoaks, a Clerk in the House of Lords, is honoured for her services to Parliament. Their awards highlight the depth of talent in Kent dedicated to effective governance and public administration.
Charity, Innovation and Community Spirit
Kent's strong culture of volunteering and support for vulnerable groups is celebrated through several awards. Janet Ann Nichole Fischer, CEO of Live Music Now in Rochester, is honoured for services to music and charity. Founders like Wayne Hodgson of the Red Eagle Foundation in Whitstable and Benjamin David Towers of Happl in Gillingham are recognised for their work with children and the startup business community, respectively. These individuals exemplify the innovative and caring spirit thriving within the county.
Celebrating Arts, Sport and Business Excellence
Contributions to cultural and sporting life have also been rightly acknowledged. Alastair David Upton, CEO of Creative Folkestone, receives an honour for his services to art, underscoring the region's growing cultural reputation. In sport, Stephen Christopher Woodley from Canterbury is recognised for his dedicated service to tennis in Kent. The business sector is represented by figures such as Gail McManus from Gravesend, founder of Private Equity Recruitment, honoured for her services to private equity and venture capital.
The full list of Kent recipients includes Officers (OBE), Members (MBE) and Medallists (BEM) of the Order of the British Empire. Other notable honourees are Jane Burston from Sevenoaks (Clean Air Fund), James Anthony Nichols from Tunbridge Wells (Ministry of Defence), and Robert Harding Hitch from Tonbridge, founder of the Buttercups Sanctuary for Goats. Each award tells a story of commitment that has enriched communities both within Kent and beyond.
This year's honours list powerfully illustrates Kent's role as a county that nurtures talent and fosters a profound sense of community. The diverse achievements of its residents, now formally recognised, serve as an inspiration and a testament to the positive impact of dedicated voluntary and professional service.
