Tag: HM The King’s New Year Honours List 2025

Scottish education innovator recognised in King’s Honours List

  • Helena Good founded education innovator not-for-profit Daydream Believers in 2019
  • For the last 20+ years, Helena has spearheaded partnerships with educators, employees and students to drive an innovative future workforce

Edinburgh-based Founder and Director of Scotland’s leading education innovator not-for-profit, Daydream Believers, Helena Good, has been recognised in the King’s Honours List and will receive an MBE for her services and commitment to championing innovation and entrepreneurship within education for young people following today’s announcement in the Birthday Honours List 2025.

Helena, originally from Newry in County Down, Northern Ireland, has lived in Edinburgh for over thirty years. Starting her career as a graphic designer, working for a variety of creative agencies across Scotland, it was as a graphic design lecturer for Edinburgh College that she found her passion for connecting educators, employees and students to drive change and innovation for those entering the workforce.

In 2019, Helena founded Daydream Believers which places creativity and curiosity at the heart of its work as key drivers for teachers and pupils to work together to unlock potential future skills.

Made up of ‘Dreamers and Doers’, and working with partners including Rockstar Games, LEGO and Skyscanner, Daydream Believers provides a free, ready to use, online resource bank for educators. The team also host interactive workshops with pupils and carry out training sessions for teachers.  

Since starting Daydream Believers, Helena and her team have worked with 27 local authorities and 95 schools, reached over 6,000 pupils and over 200 teachers to embed creative learning journeys within their lesson plans.

This not-for-profit business has also launched the first Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Creative Thinking Qualification in Scotland which focuses on solving real-world challenges and saw over 1,000 students sign-up in 2024

Helena Good, Founder and Director of Daydream Believers, said: “Receiving an MBE is an incredible honour and feels truly special not just for me, but also for the entire Daydream team and my own family.

“I’ve always been passionate about education and the role creativity plays in shaping resilient, innovative futures. Working with inspiring partners both in education and business and being part of the Daydream Believers team has been a privilege. Working together we are unlocking potential and empowering both educators and students to think differently.

“This recognition is a reminder of the amazing things we can achieve together, and I’m so excited for the journey ahead as we continue to dream big, collaborate, and make real change happen.”

The Daydream Believers concept and model has already caught the interest of an international audience with Helena having recently been part of setting up the inaugural Creative Thinking Festival in Sydney Australia. The Daydream team has also connected learners and educators across 125 countries.

Daydream’s concept was recognised by the HundrED Global Innovation Awards (October 2022) as being one of the top 100 most impactful and scalable education innovations to watch out for, while The British Interactive Media Association identified it as one of the top ten UK digital experiences that would help to shape the industry and inspire a generation of digital professionals.

Ollie Bray, Strategic Director for Education Scotland, who works with Daydream Believers, said: “We are delighted that Helena has been awarded an MBE for services to education.

“This prestigious honour is a reflection of her unwavering dedication, passion, and hard work, as well as the profound and lasting impact she has made on Scottish education. Helena’s infectious enthusiasm, coupled with her pioneering work in creativity and project-based learning, has transformed approaches in both primary and secondary schools across Scotland.

“This recognition is richly deserved, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Helena on this remarkable achievement.”

Helena’s personal accolades include being inducted into The College Development Network Hall of Fame in June 2021 for the positive impact she had as a lecturer to students and the community.

She was recognised as a TES UK Lecturer of the Year (2020) which made her the first-ever winner from a Scottish College and took home the Creative Edinburgh Leadership award (2019) for inspiring the next generation of creatives through mentoring, teaching and leadership.

Ruth Cochrane, Head of Future Skills at the Glasgow School of Art and a Director of Daydream Believers, said: “I’ve known Helena since 2019 when I was one of the many representatives from across the creative and educational spectrum that she convened around the common goal of changing how creativity is taught in schools.

“Helena was uniquely able to allow us to leave our competing agendas and egos at the door and work together around this shared mission; to dream big and reimagine what education could and should be.  Even more impressive than that, she is driving that vision into real change in the form of Daydream Believers. 

“Thousands of young people across Scotland have had their school experience changed by Helena’s vision, and I’ve been privileged to witness the transformative effect Daydream Believers has on everyone who engages with it. 

“Creative professionals have a meaningful way to contribute to the development of their future workforce, supporting teachers to rediscover their passion for the classroom and most importantly encouraging pupils to reengage with school and love learning.  

“It is a total privilege to work with Helena and call her a friend, and I’m so delighted that her achievements are being recognised in this way.”

The King’s Honours List, made up of the ranks of Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE), and Member (MBE), are awarded for prominent national or regional roles, and to those making distinguished or notable contributions in their own specific areas of activity. Helena will be awarded her MBE in London in 2025, date to be confirmed.

UK celebrates ‘unsung heroes and community champions’ in HM The King’s New Year Honours list

HM The King’s New Year Honours List 2025 recognises unsung heroes who have made outstanding contributions to their communities across the UK

More than 1,200 recipients receive honours this year across all sectors, with particular commendation to role models in sport, healthcare, academia and voluntary service.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Each and every day, ordinary people go out and do extraordinary things for their communities.

“They represent the very best of the UK and that core value of service which I put at the centre of everything this government does.

“The New Year Honours List celebrates more of these unsung heroes, and I thank them for their incredible contribution.”

Among those being honoured today is former England manager Sir Gareth Southgate, who receives a Knighthood for services to Association Football. Beyond the pitch, Southgate has been actively involved in charitable work including supporting the Prince’s Trust, a youth charity that helps young people get into education, training, and employment.

The List awards a Companion of Honour, of which there are only 65 recipients at any time, to author and screenwriter Sir Kazuo Ishiguro; and a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire for author Dame Jacqueline Wilson, and a Knight Grand Cross for Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz lately Chair of Cancer Research. 

Damehoods are being awarded to Professor Alison Fuller for her work in Higher Education and Ruth Cairnie, Chair of Babcock International. Notable CBE recipients include Alan Titchmarsh, and actors Sarah Lancashire and Carey Mulligan.

The oldest recipient, World War Two Mosquito pilot Colin Bell, is 103 years old and receives a BEM for his charitable fundraising and public speaking about WWII Bomber Command. 

The List also features two further centenarians: George Kelly aged 101, who receives an MBE for  services to the Royal British Legion and to Royal Air Force Veterans. George had a distinguished career as an RAF navigator and has given over 40 years of selfless voluntary service to the RBL. And Roy Gibson, aged 100, was awarded a BEM for services to space. Roy has had an immeasurable impact on UK and European space policy over his 70-year career as a leader for multiple international space organisations. 

The Government is committed to ensuring that honours are awarded to outstanding people from across the whole of the UK and the system reflects the best of society. The List ensures that people from underrepresented communities and a wide variety of types of work are rewarded, to celebrate the fantastic contribution of people throughout the country.

Both of this year’s youngest recipients are aged 18 years old. Mikayla Beames, aged 18, has been awarded a BEM for her charitable fundraising for children with cancer in Oxfordshire.

After being diagnosed with brain cancer at 4 years old, she founded her namesake charity, Team Mikayla in 2014, has supported hundreds of children who are fighting cancer, and distributes thousands of gifts at Christmas and Easter.

She has also helped to raise over £300,000 since 2014. Paralympian William Ellard, aged 18, receives an MBE after winning three medals including gold at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris. 

Wendy Ansell, from Swansea, is a specialist midwife who has received an MBE for services to survivors of harmful practices and to women seeking sanctuary for her work supporting survivors of female genital mutilation (FGM) and vulnerable women. She has developed bespoke training programmes for healthcare professionals to enhance their understanding of the needs of women who have undergone FGM or are seeking asylum.

Anyone can nominate someone for an honour. If you know someone who has achieved fantastic things worthy of recognition, go to www.gov.uk/honours to find out more about how you can put them forward.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Rt Hon. Pat McFadden MP, said: “This year’s New Year Honours List celebrates the unsung heroes who contribute selflessly to their communities across the UK. I send them all my congratulations for their achievements.

“Our honours system uniquely recognises the generous contributions of individuals across our nation.

“If you know someone in your community who has done something extraordinary, nominate them for an honour so the nation can recognise their achievements.”

Other recipients include:

Community

Michael Bennion, aged 72, receives an MBE for services to Scouting and to Young People after supporting hundreds of young people during his 54 years as a Scout Leader.

Deirdre Amor has been awarded an MBE for services to the Community in Northern Ireland. She has worked in state education for 45 years, where she developed after-school meetings that brought together staff and parents from across the political divide in Belfast. Upon retirement she voluntarily gave of her time and skills to improve two failing schools. 

Young people

This year’s youngest recipients are aged 18 years old. 

Mikalya Beames, aged 18, has been awarded a BEM for her charitable fundraising for children with cancer in Oxfordshire. After being diagnosed with brain cancer at 4 years old, she founded her namesake charity, Team Mikayla in 2014, which is dedicated to granting the wishes of children who are fighting cancer. As of this year, the charity has granted 220 wishes to children who are fighting cancer, and distributed over 1000 Christmas presents and 1000 Easter Eggs. She has also helped to raise over £300,000 since 2014. 

Paralympian William Ellard, aged 18, receives an MBE after winning three medals including gold at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris. 

Rebecca Clarke, aged 20 received a BEM for services to Young People with Disabilities and Autism. She champions marginalised young people, particularly focusing on intersectionality. Through her work with NCS, she has also contributed to disability policy, submitting evidence to the disability access youth select committee and speaking about her lived experience to over 400 people. 

Health

Stephen Fry receives a Knighthood for his work on mental health awareness. He is an honorary fellow of Royal College of Psychiatrists and President of the mental health charity Mind since 2011. During his time as President of Mind, he has been instrumental in changing the conversation around mental health and has worked tirelessly to change public attitudes in the UK about mental health for the better. 

Neil Liam Halford and Nicola Claire Halford receive an MBE for services to Charitable Fundraising for Children with an Illness after co-founding the charity Time is Precious in 2011. The organisation works alongside specialists to purchase equipment and refurbish areas to support not just those sick children and their families. Since 2017, raised over £1.3m using the funds to help provide facilities in a number of hospitals in the area.

Sarah White and Kenneth White both receive a BEM for services to Children and Young People Suffering Paediatric Cancer. Supershoes have donated over 6000 pairs of shoes to children across the UK and raised over £25k to provide children with a unique pair of shoes they can wear with pride.

Sport

Receiving an OBE, Helen Glover, one of the most decorated female rowers in the history of British rowing with more than 20 gold medals to her name. She is a two-time Olympic, three-time world and five-time European champion. Glover initially retired from rowing after the 2016 Olympic Games to start a family.

After giving birth to three children, she returned to training in 2021, winning a gold medal at the European Championships that year and a silver medal in the coxless four at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Keely Hodgkinson from Greater Manchester is a two time Olympic Medalist who has been awarded an MBE for services to Athletics after winning an Olympic gold medal in Paris 2024. 

Eleanor Aldridge receives an MBE for services to Sailing after becoming the first athlete to ever win a sailing kiteboarding gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. 

Bryony Page of South Yorkshire receives an MBE for services to Trampoline Gymnastics after winning her third Olympic medal at Paris 2024.

Sabrina Fortune receives an MBE after winning a gold medal at Paris 2024 in the F20 shot put, beating her own world record in the process.

Jackson Gibbons, from London who founded City of London Academy Southwark’s Basketball Academy, now one of the UK’s most successful youth basketball programmes, has been awarded a BEM for services to Young People and to Basketball.

Arts

Author Dame Jacqueline WILSON DBE has been awarded a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire for services to literature.

First Minister congratulates recipients

First Minister John Swinney has paid tribute to Scotland’s recipients of The King’s New Year’s Honours.

In recognition of exceptional contributions to public life, this year’s awards celebrate recipients that are ‘giving back to the community’ as well as athletes from the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

Ken McCallum, Director General of MI5, receives a Knighthood within the Order of the Bath for public service. Artist, Colourist and Master Printmaker Barbara Davis Rae CBE becomes a Dame Commander for services to art.

Among those receiving the CBE are Retired Chief Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Ross Haggart KFSM for services to fire and rescue and charities, Michelle Macleod for services to criminal justice and law enforcement, Laura McIver formerly Chief Pharmacist at Healthcare Improvement Scotland for services to the pharmacy profession and patient safety and Professor Alex McMahon, Retired Chief Nursing Officer for Scotland.

Athlete Sammi Kinghorn MBE and swimmer Duncan Scott MBE have each received an OBE, with football manager David Moyes and William Wright, former chair of Haemophilia Scotland, also receiving OBEs. 

MBEs are awarded to cyclists Finlay Graham and Jenny Holl, archer Nathan MacQueen, swimmer Stephen Clegg and boccia player Stephen McGuire. Journalist and presenter Jackie Bird is awarded an MBE for services to broadcasting and charities, alongside David Rickman from the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, St Andrews, and Jennifer Craw of Opportunity North East. 

BEMs have been awarded to Dr Anne McArthur for services to Scottish Country Dancing and the community in Portsoy, Banffshire, Pipe Major Christopher Armstrong from Glasgow, and Lanark Amateur Swimming Club Head Coach Karen Kelly.  

Other BEM recipients are Stephen Mallen founder of the Zero Suicide Alliance, Crieff, Community Volunteer Andrew Nisbet for services to the community in Yell, Shetland and Maureen Morris, a Board Member for Easterhouse Citizens’ Advice Bureau.

Retired Superintendent Shaheen Baber and Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs receive The King’s Police Medal. The King’s Fire Service Medal is awarded to Retired Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Bruce Farquharson and Station Commander Karla Stevenson. The King’s Ambulance Service Medal is awarded to Regional Director for East Region Kenny Freeburn.

The First Minister said: “The King’s New Year’s Honours list recognises exceptional individuals – from unsung heroes to well-known names. Each recipient is worthy of their award and has made a significant difference to their community or excelled in their field.

“My congratulations to our emergency services members awarded The King’s Fire, Police or Ambulance Service Medals. Throughout Scotland people benefit from the skills and expertise of our ‘blue light’ services personnel whose skills and expertise keep our communities and people safe, in often challenging circumstances. 

“These honours celebrate the best of Scotland’s courageous spirit and sense of community. Congratulations and my personal thanks to every worthy recipient.”

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