King’s Birthday Honours 2025: Excellence in Governance

We warmly congratulate our colleagues in school and trust governance who were recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours for their outstanding commitment and exceptional contributions to the education of young people.

OBE

Dr Peter Richard Kent – Chair of Trustees, The Griffin Primary School, Warwickshire. For services to education.

Dr Diane Swift – Trustee, The Creative Learning Partnership Trust, Stafford, Staffordshire. For services to education.

MBE

Gareth Brian Moss – Chair of Trustees, John Taylor Multi Academy Trust. For services to education (Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire).

Christopher James Simmons – Lately Chair, Ad Astra Academy Trust, County Durham. For services to education (Hartlepool, County Durham).

Sarah Elizabeth Smith – Birmingham Diocesan Director of Education and Chair, Birmingham Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust. For services to education (Birmingham, West Midlands).

Deborah Thompson – Chair, Ivy Learning Trust. For services to education (London, Greater London).

Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

Zoe Huggins – Chair, Lighthouse Learning Trust, Hampshire. For services to education (Gosport, Hampshire).

Emma Balchin, NGA Chief Executive, said:
"It’s wonderful to see the vital contribution of governance recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours. On behalf of NGA, I offer our heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to each of the recipients. Their dedication, leadership, and service have made a lasting difference to children and young people and the wider education community.
A special mention to Carolyn Roberts, who we are thrilled was awarded a well-deserved MBE. NGAs long-standing connection with Carolyn includes her role in shaping the Framework for Ethical Leadership in Education as Chair of the Commission, supporting the ‘pathfinder schools project’ and subsequent production of the eLearning we host to support school and trust leaders and their boards to hold ethical considerations at the heart of all their decisions and work
We are so pleased to see the role of governance being recognised in this way. Well done to all!”