King’s New Year Honours 2026 – The NEN

The King’s New Year Honours 2026 – Police, Fire and Ambulance

Recipients of blue light service medals in Scotland

King’s Police Medal

Joanna Farrell Chief Constable, Police Scotland

Stephen Dolan, Chief Superintendent, Police Scotland

Andrew Freeburn, Assistant Chief Constable, Police Scotland

King’s Fire Service Medal

Alexander Muir, Firefighter, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Stuart Stevens, Chief Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

King’s Ambulance Service Medal

David Lee Bywater, Lead Consultant Paramedic, Scottish Ambulance Service

KING’S POLICE MEDAL

Joanna Farrell, Chief Constable, Police Scotland

Chief Constable Joanna Farrell has an exemplary police career spanning more than 33 years across three Forces. For the past 6 years, she served as Chief Constable in Durham Constabulary and continues to serve as Chief Constable in Police Scotland, demonstrating exceptional leadership and strategic vision, together with personal resilience and commitment to public service. Recognised as a progressive and personable police leader, she places a clear focus on people, prevention and innovation, delivering a more efficient, effective and community centred policing for the public.

Chief Constable Farrell’s strategic leadership of Police Scotland has been a trailblazer for engaged well-informed decision making ensuring stronger outcomes for communities. She has carried this approach throughout her career, combining vision, collaboration and a clear focus on public benefit.

As the first female Chief Constable of Police Scotland, she is a role model to others both in what can be achieved but importantly how it can be achieved, through hard work and humility and without compromise on values and people focus, including family. Her approach to empowering and enabling staff goes beyond creating an environment for them to thrive, it is evident daily through her own personal demonstration of visible effective leadership in action.

Stephen Dolan, Chief Superintendent, Police Scotland

Chief Superintendent Stevie Dolan has demonstrated exceptional dedication throughout his 32 years of distinguished service with Police Scotland and formerly Lothian and Borders Police. His career exemplifies unwavering commitment to protecting communities, building vital partnerships, and inspiring colleagues through compassionate leadership.

Beginning in West Edinburgh in 1992, Chief Superintendent Dolan’s early career showcased his tenacity in community policing and crime disruption. A pivotal role investigating sudden deaths and missing persons revealed his profound empathy, and helped shape his understanding of compassionate leadership. This experience propelled him into training roles where he mentored over 500 probationary officers.

In corporate leadership, Chief Superintendent Dolan delivered transformational change. He led the £21 million Mobile Working Project, rolling out devices to 11,000 frontline officers, saving 440,000 hours and enhancing officer safety and wellbeing—deemed “exemplary” by Scottish Government reviews.

Currently commanding Lanarkshire Division’s 1,350 officers serving 670,000 residents, Chief Superintendent Dolan has transformed partnership working. Council and NHS executives praise his compassionate leadership, particularly his advocacy for care-experienced young people and vulnerable communities.

His career embodies dedication, compassion, and distinguished public service worthy of the highest recognition.

Andrew Freeburn, Assistant Chief Constable, Police Scotland

Andrew Freeburn MBE served 32 years in policing across Northern Ireland and Scotland, rising from joining the Royal Ulster Constabulary in 1992 to Assistant Chief Constable within Police Service of Scotland.

As Assistant Chief Constable, leading Organised Crime, Counter Terrorism, Cyber and Intelligence with Police Scotland he worked tirelessly to build partnerships at the Scottish Crime Campus, driving collaboration across over 30 law enforcement agencies through the Multi-Agency Tasking and Delivery Board.

As Executive lead for Counter Terrorism, he strengthened key partnerships and embedded a ‘one team’ approach between Police Scotland and CT partners, directly increasing Scotland’s ability to mitigate terrorist threats.

Assistant Chief Constable Freeburn also served as Senior Responsible Officer for the ‘Policing in a Digital World Programme’, developing Police Scotland’s operational Cyber Strategy.

Beyond operational duties, Assistant Chief Constable Freeburn’s commitment to ethics and values shaped policing across the United Kingdom. He contributed to Police Scotland’s ethics framework and devoted 10 years lecturing Law at Ulster University Belfast. His community service included serving as Non-Executive Director for the Simon Community homeless charity (2017-2022) and as Trustee for the Police Treatment Centre and Police Children’s charity.

KING’S FIRE SERVICE MEDAL

Alexander Muir, Firefighter, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Alex Muir’s remarkable 46-year firefighting career demonstrates exceptional dedication to serving Glasgow’s communities. Joining the service in 1979, he served at Springburn Fire Station until 1986 before transferring to Cowcaddens Fire Station, where he remains today. Simultaneously, since 1981, he has been a pivotal FBU Scotland union official, now serving as West Area Secretary.

Throughout his career, Alex Muir has been an unwavering advocate for firefighter safety and employee rights, successfully campaigning for improvements that have enhanced outcomes for Scotland’s communities. His operational excellence is evidenced by his response to major incidents including the 1980 Fruit Market fire, 1987 Treron’s Department Store fire, 1989 Belgrove train crash, 1999 Melrose Street fire, 2004 Clarendon Bar fire, and 2014 School of Art fire.

Alex Muir’s unique ability to understand issues from both union and fire service leadership perspectives has helped shape Scotland’s fire service direction. His decades-long involvement in the trade union movement demonstrates sustained commitment to firefighter wellbeing. Through nearly five decades of service, his legacy encompasses not only the fires fought and lives protected, but also the countless firefighters he has supported through his union work.

Stuart Stevens, Chief Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Chief Officer Stuart Stevens has demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout his career with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), making significant contributions to community safety, operational excellence, and workforce development.

Chief Officer Stevens was instrumental in establishing the SFRS Prevention agenda during the formation of Scotland’s single national fire service, developing a unified approach to community safety through partnership working.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chief Officer Stevens provided decisive leadership that maintained operational continuity whilst prioritising staff safety. His calm approach ensured vital services continued during the national crisis, reinforcing public trust in the SFRS. He led the SFRS response to Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations, working with the Scottish Government’s Ministerial Working Group to implement necessary reforms and enhance fire safety standards.

A passionate advocate for firefighter safety, Chief Officer Stevens has driven s improvements which have created safer working environments and more effective emergency response capabilities.

Appointed Chief Officer in November 2024, his tenure exemplifies integrity, innovation, and unwavering dedication to public service.

KING’S AMBULANCE SERVICE MEDAL

David Lee Bywater, Lead Consultant Paramedic, Scottish Ambulance Service

David Lee Bywater has been a dedicated member of the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) since 1996, qualifying as a a in 2001. In 2022, he was appointed to the substantive role of Lead Consultant Paramedic and acted as the interim director of Care Quality on the board from April 2024 to May 2025, where he strengthened the link between the front line and decision making.

He demonstrated leadership in supporting colleagues during the challenging winter of 2024. Bywater possesses a deep understanding of the complexities of pre-hospital emergency care. He has collaborated with the British Heart Foundation to develop a UK-wide solution for public access defibrillator use and has worked with Police Scotland to reform the procedure for dealing with pre-hospital child deaths.

He played a key role in delivering SASs commitment to Scotland’s Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest strategy and leads on paediatric care in SAS. He is a reservist with Scotland’s charity Air Ambulance and teaches and directs courses in pre-hospital emergency care, paediatric life support and major incident management and continues to volunteer as a responder in rural communities.

International energy leader honoured with OBE

Professor Mercedes Maroto-Valer, Heriot-Watt University’s Deputy Principal for Global Sustainability, has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Low Energy Technologies.

The honour was announced today (Dec 30) with the publication of the King’s New Year Honours List 2026, which recognises exceptional contributions made by individuals across the 15 Commonwealth realms.

An internationally recognised leader in energy innovation, Professor Maroto-Valer is Director of the UK Industrial Decarbonisation Research and Innovation Centre (IDRIC), based at Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh campus.

IDRIC plays a central role in supporting the green transformation of the UK’s industrial heartlands. Funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the national funding body for science and research, the centre brings together academia, industry and government to deliver practical solutions for economic growth to the country’s decarbonisation challenges at a scale that matters.

She also leads Heriot-Watt’s Research Centre for Carbon Solutions (RCCS ), a world-leading engineering centre, inspiring and delivering innovation for the wider deployment of technologies needed to meet carbon targets.

Professor Maroto-Valer was selected for the honour by King Charles III in recognition of her internationally respected leadership in energy and her remarkable contributions in low-energy technologies that reduce emissions while supporting long-term economic growth.

She said: “I am deeply humbled to receive this Honour. Addressing climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time, with low energy technologies representing not just an environmental necessity, but also an economic opportunity.

“This recognition reflects the collective efforts of the outstanding colleagues, partners and students I have had the privilege to work with in driving innovation, improving competitiveness, and ensuring a prosperous and sustainable transition to net zero.”

Professor Maroto-Valer is a globally recognised engineer whose work has helped shape the international response to climate change and supporting growth in a low-carbon global economy. Since 2022, she has led Heriot-Watt University’s sustainability strategy and goals, working closely with students, staff and alumni to embed sustainability across teaching, research and operations.

She also holds leading positions in a number of professional societies and editorial boards. These include her role on the UN Council of Engineers for the Energy Transition (CEET), a high-level, independent advisory council supporting the UN Secretary-General’s ambition to identify practical engineering pathways to net zero through expert scientific analysis and guidance.

Congratulating Professor Maroto-Valer, Heriot-Watt’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard A. Williams, said: “This honour is richly deserved and reflects Professor Maroto-Valer’s exceptional leadership, global influence and unwavering commitment to tackling climate change.

“Her work exemplifies Heriot-Watt University’s mission to deliver research with real-world impact, and we are immensely proud of her contributions to engineering, sustainability and the global energy transition.”

Professor Maroto-Valer will formally receive her OBE at a ceremony in 2026.

Hutton forensic soil scientist Professor Lorna Dawson named Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire

A leading forensic soil scientist from The James Hutton Institute has been conferred the honour of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the New Year Honours List.

Professor Lorna Dawson, Head of the Centre for Forensic Soil Science at the Hutton, was recommended for the award by His Majesty the King for her services to innovations in soil and forensic science.

An internationally renowned soil scientist, Professor Dawson has over 35 years of experience in managing and conducting research in soil and plant interactions, particularly their application in the criminal justice system.

She has reported and advised on over 200 criminal cases and written over 150 Expert Witness reports, both in the UK and abroad. Additionally, she has presented evidence in more than 25 cases, including the World’s End murders and the Sheku Bayoh Public Inquiry.

Professor Dawson has previously been awarded a Commander of the British Empire, having been named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in June 2018. She has also received a Special Recognition award at the 2017 Pride of Britain awards ceremony and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Royal Royal Scottish Geographical Society, the British Society of Soil Science and the Royal Society of Biology.

Professor Dawson said: “I am deeply honoured and immensely humbled to be recognised with a Damehood in His Majesty the King’s New Year 2026 Honours List. This award reflects the extraordinary contributions of the Centre for Forensic Soil Science at the James Hutton Institute and the many dedicated collaborators who work with us.

“Soil science may seem an unsung discipline, but its applications — from underpinning sustainable land management, producing safe, nutritious food, to providing robust scientific evidence that supports the criminal justice system — make a real difference to society in the UK and across the world.

“I am grateful for the support of my family, my professional networks, and the wider scientific, policy, policing and legal communities, whose collective passion and expertise have made this pioneering work possible.”

OBE for Ann Budge

KING’S NEW YEAR HONOURS 2026 CELEBRATE COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS

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 aim to celebrate community champions.

The Rt Hon Adam Ingram receives a knighthood for Parliamentary and Political Service. Also receiving a knighthood is Professor Simon Milne, Regius Keeper and Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh for services to Botany, Conservation and Horticulture.

Professor Lorna Dawson, head of the Centre for Forensic Soil Science at the James Hutton Institute has been appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to innovations in soil and forensic science

Among those receiving the CBE are Professor Susan Rigby, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University, for services to higher education, Mr William Watt, chair of the Scottish National Investment Bank, for services to the Economy and Professor Jill Belch, Professor of Vascular Medicine at Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, for services to Medicine and Public Health.

Those being awarded an OBE include Ann Budge, businesswoman and lately Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Heart of Midlothian Football Club, for services to sport and to the community in Midlothian, Dr Kirsty Darwent, Chair of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Chair of Redress Scotland for services to the people of Scotland and Dr James Craig who receives an OBE for services to Scottish Association Football and to Charity.

Speaking about the honour, Ann said; “This is an incredibly proud moment, not just for myself but for my family too, because their support across the years allowed me to focus on doing the very best job that I could for Heart of Midlothian Football Club.

“Although sport has been such a big part of my life over the past decade, so too has community. Transforming Hearts’ relationship with the local community, and driving it forward, has been a passion of mine. To therefore be recognised for services to both sport and community is a very rewarding feeling.

“I must also thank the staff at Hearts. Without their involvement, we would not have been able to achieve what we set out to do, returning the club to the top of Scottish football. This honour is as much theirs as it is mine.”

Other recipients of the OBE include Celine Sinclair, Chief Executive of The Yard, for services to Children and Families, Kathleen Murray, for services to Children’s Hearings in Scotland, John Burns, Chief Operating Officer at NHS Scotland and Carol Copstick, Head of Inspection at HM Inspectorate, Education Scotland.

Those receiving MBEs include Mohammed Shaukat, a volunteer at Glasgow Central Mosque, for services to the community, Dr Nelson Ashmole, co-founder of Borders Forest Trust, for services to Nature and Evelyn Graham, founder member of the ‘New Seekers’ for services to the music industry.

Among those honoured with the British Empire Medal are Pipe Major Raymond Peace, for services to music and culture in Orkney and squadron leader Stewart Norris, for services to young people in Aberdeenshire.

Chief Constable Joanna Farrell and Chief Superintendent Stephen Dolan, both of Police Scotland and retired Assistant Chief Constable Andrew Freeburn receive The King’s Police Medal. The King’s Fire Service Medal is awarded to Firefighter Alexander Muir and Chief Officer Stuart Stevens, both of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The King’s Ambulance Service Medal is awarded to Lead Consultant Paramedic David Lee Bywater of the Scottish Ambulance Service.

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.”

Those receiving honours in Scotland include Roland Christian Douglas Schau Engebretson, who established Macaulay College on the Isle of Lewis to address a critical gap in post-school opportunities for young adults with learning disabilities and additional support needs.

Louise Gough receives a BEM for services to Foster Care, after serving as a Foster Carer for 28 years and providing a stable and supportive environment for 63 children.

In total, 1157 recipients have been awarded this year for their exceptional achievements, with a particular focus being on those who have championed their communities.

This year’s recipients include dedicated foster carers, role models in women’s sports, committed health workers, champions of the arts, and supporters of young people.

Every part of the UK is represented in the List, from the Western Isles to Liskeard in Cornwall.

Recipients from Scotland make up 9% of the total number of recipients receiving honours this year.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “This year’s Honours list celebrates the very best of Britain – people who put the common good ahead of themselves to strengthen communities and change lives.

“Their quiet dedication speaks to the decent, compassionate country we are proud to be. On behalf of the whole nation, thank you – and congratulations to everyone recognised today.”

Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander said: “My warmest congratulations go to all of the Scottish recipients of His Majesty’s New Year Honours. Scots the length and breadth of the country have been recognised for their contribution to politics, business, the arts, science and to their communities.

“Veteran politician Adam Ingram is Knighted for his huge contribution to our public life. Those of us of a certain vintage will welcome the perfect harmony of Eve Graham being recognised for her decades of service to the music industry.

“Also recognised is Jimmy Buchan, for his tireless dedication to championing the interests of Scottish fishermen.

“The list is packed with local heroes who strive every day to tackle disadvantage. I congratulate all those who work so hard day in day out to make our communities better places to live and work.”

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

Edinburgh’s Lord Provost has congratulated all those named in the 2026 King’s New Year Honours list, including Edinburgh Award recipient Ann Budge.

Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: “My warmest congratulations go to all those recognised in this year’s King’s Honours, whose dedication, achievement and service have made a lasting and positive impact on our city and beyond.

“This year, 18 people from across Edinburgh have been named in the King’s New Year Honours List for 2026. From scientists and carers to NHS staff and charity leaders, each honouree reflects the very best of public service and community contribution.

“I’m particularly pleased to recognise Edinburgh Award recipient Ann Budge, who has been awarded an OBE for services to sport and the community in Midlothian. Ann’s leadership in her 11 years as Chair of Heart of Midlothian FC transformed both the club and Tynecastle Stadium into a thriving, family-friendly and community-focused institution.

“Her pioneering work to introduce the Living Wage to professional football in UK, while investing in youth skills and securing a sustainable future for the club, has set a benchmark for sporting and civic leadership.

I also extend my sincere congratulations to Carol Colburn Grigor on her appointment as Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to the arts, culture and women in the UK. Although she does not live in Edinburgh, her contribution to the city has been profound.

“Through her leadership of the Dunard Fund, Dame Carol has made an extraordinary impact on Scotland’s cultural life, supporting many of our most treasured institutions, including the Edinburgh International Festival and National Galleries of Scotland.

“Her substantial support for the Dunard Centre, Edinburgh’s first purpose-built concert hall in a century, and the revitalisation of the former Royal High School to accommodate St Mary’s Music School will leave a lasting legacy for our city.

“These honours celebrate individuals whose vision, generosity and commitment enrich our communities and inspire others. On behalf of the City of Edinburgh, I offer my heartfelt congratulations and thanks to all those recognised for their exceptional service.”

More notable recipients across Scotland include:

Marion Lindsey Foster receives an MBE for services to Scottish Craftsmanship. Marion recognised the danger of losing the heritage craft of kilt tailoring, and created an accredited training programme, going on to establish The College of Master Kilt Tailors in 2017.
Robert Harold Sharp receives an MBE for services to Mountain Rescue. Robert has dedicated over four decades to mountain rescue and safety in Scotland and the UK, transforming practices and helping to save countless lives.
Gilbert Feron receives a BEM for services to the community in Cambuslang, Lanarkshire. Gilbert has dedicated himself to improving the welfare of older people and the wider community in Cambuslang for over 30 years.