Hertfordshire residents have been recognised in The King's Birthday Honours 2026 for their outstanding contribution to public service, education, healthcare, business, justice, sport, and community life.

This year's honours celebrate a diverse group of 20 leaders, innovators, and volunteers recognised for services ranging from children's oral health and emergency care to digital skills, clean energy, offender rehabilitation, education, and homelessness support.

Among those honoured is Hertfordshire Futures Board Member Chris Hulatt CBE, Co-Founder of Octopus Group, who has been awarded a CBE for services to Entrepreneurship.

We extend our warmest congratulations to Chris and all those honoured, and thank them for their contribution to the county and beyond.

Knighthood

Knight Bachelor

The Right Honourable David Michael Gauke – Chair of the Independent Sentencing Review. For services to the Justice System – Rickmansworth

Commander of the Order of the British Empire

(CBE)

Christopher Neil Jones – Director, Home Office. For Public Service – St Albans

Helen Jane Palmer – People Director, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. For services to the Public and Charity Sectors – St Albans

Julia Natasha Pyke – Joint Managing Director, Sizewell C Ltd. For services to the UK Nuclear Energy Industry and other Clean Energy Technologies – Hitchin

Officer of the Order of the British Empire

(OBE)

Dr Urshla Devalia – President, British Society of Paediatric Dentistry. For services to Children's Oral Health – Watford

Dr Nicola Jayne Rose – Interim Executive Director of Science and Research, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. For services to Science and Public Health – Waltham Cross

Professor Susan Elizabeth Sentance – Research Professor and Director, The Raspberry Pi Computing Education Research Centre, University of Cambridge. For services to Education – Royston

Nicholas Guy Wilkinson – Lately Chief Executive Officer, Dunelm. For services to the Retail Sector – Hemel Hempstead

Richard John Willmott – For services to the Construction Industry – Letchworth Garden City

Member of the Order of the British Empire

(MBE)

Audrey Valerie Beale JP – Trustee and Chair, Hertfordshire Association for the Care and Rehabilitation of Offenders. For services to the Rehabilitation of Offenders and to the Administration of Justice – St Albans

Tom Fogden – Chief Operating Officer, Ada National College for Digital Skills, London. For services to Further Education – Sawbridgeworth

Clifford William Jones – For services to Welsh Football – Waltham Cross

Chloe Kelly – For services to Association Football – Hitchin

Dr Simon James Lewis – Medical Director, Magpas Air Ambulance. For services to Emergency Care – Baldock

Kerry Lesley McCafferty – Chief People Officer, St Mungo's. For services to Charity and to People Leadership – Watford

Paul Rawlinson – Lately Chair, Barts Charity. For services to Health Sector Charities – Harpenden

John Paul Rochford – Liveryman, Worshipful Company of Gardeners. For services to Horticulture – Hertford

Alessia Mia Teresa Russo – For services to Association Football – Radlett

Heather Jayne Spence – Interim Chair for Northern Ireland, Royal British Legion. For voluntary services to Veterans – Ware

British Empire Medal

(BEM)

Pauline Jenifer Odbert – Volunteer Store Manager, New Hope. For services to Homeless People in Watford – Watford

Explore the full list of honourees.