South Asian Excellence Celebrated Across All Levels in King’s New Year Honours List 2026

UK

South Asian excellence has been recognised at every level of the King’s New Year Honours List 2026, marking a landmark moment for representation across the arts, academia, science, public service, business, health, sport and grassroots community work in the United Kingdom.

Top Honours: Damehoods and a Knighthood

Among the highest accolades, Meera Syal has been awarded a damehood for services to arts and culture, becoming the first Asian woman to receive a damehood in this field. Born in Wolverhampton to Punjabi parents, Dame Meera rose to prominence through Goodness Gracious Me, a cultural landmark that reshaped British television by centring British Asian life. Her career spans theatre, television and film, with notable works including The Kumars at No. 42, Broadchurch, Mrs Sidhu Investigates, Bhaji on the Beach, Anita and Me, Paddington and Yesterday.

A second damehood has been awarded to Professor Meena Upadhyaya, professor emerita of medical genetics, recognising a four-decade career defined by global research leadership, academic excellence and equality advocacy. She has authored more than 200 scientific publications and mentored generations of researchers in the UK and India.

Completing the trio of top honours, Professor Nishan Canagarajah, vice-chancellor of the University of Leicester, has been knighted for services to higher education, with his journey from scholarship student to senior academic leader widely praised as a testament to social mobility and inclusive leadership.

Full List of South Asian Honours

(as announced in the King’s New Year Honours List 2026)

Companions of the Order of the Bath (CB)

• Daljit Singh Rehal, Chief Digital Information Officer, HM Revenue and Customs – for services to technology and public service.

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

• Omar Ali, Global Financial Services Leader, Ernst & Young – services to the financial services industry.
• Neeta Avnash Kaur Atkar MBE JP, Lately Senior Independent Director, British Business Bank – services to small business finance.
• Shazia Hussain, Director of Children’s Social Care, Department for Education – services to children and families.
• Rupesh Mohan Mehta, Lately Director of Planning, Department for Transport – services to transport planning.
• Dhruv Prashant Patel OBE, Civic leader – services to civic leadership and charity.

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

• Shah Ruhul Amin, Co-Founder and Chief Architect, Onfido – services to fintech and artificial intelligence.
• Professor Syed Saeed Ashraf, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon – services to cardiac surgery and medical training.
• Abby Ghafoor, Founder and CEO, Arc Management Consulting – services to business and diversity and inclusion.
• Mohamed Isap, Chief Executive, IN4 Group – services to education.
• Professor Gurpreet Singh Jagpal, services to enterprise, entrepreneurship education and policy.
• Rukshana Kapasi, Director of Health, Barnardo’s – services to transforming care and health equity.
• Dr Harjinder Singh Lallie, Founder, Gurmat Sangeet Academy – services to musical heritage and integration.
• Paavan Popat, Chief Executive, TLC Care – services to intergenerational housing.
• Narinder Kaur Shergill, Security Advisor, Serious Fraud Office – services to the administration of justice.

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

• Shamsul Abdin, H&K Cycle Club – charitable fundraising.
• Dr Nazee Akbari, CEO, New Citizens’ Gateway – services to refugees and asylum seekers.
• Harith Sadiq Ali, Fundraiser – charitable services.
• Monwara Ali, CEO, Waltham Forest Community Hub – community services.
• Safaraz Ali, CEO, Pathway Group – diversity and inclusion in business.
• Fatima Benzbir, National Express – services to the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
• Rishi Bhuchar, Philanthropist – services to philanthropy.
• Jadavji Karsan Bhudia, Tideway – improving water quality.
• Dr Raja Biswas, Consultant Physician – services to the NHS in Wales.
• Ishtiaq Ahmed Din, Playwright – services to the arts and young people.
• Isa Tara Guha, Founder, Take Her Lead – services to inclusivity and cricket.
• Shanaz Begum Gulzar, Creative Director, Bradford Culture Company – services to culture.
• Rokia Khair, services to heritage and charity.
• Maninder Kohli, services to fashion.
• Deepa Korea, Royal College of Nursing Foundation – services to nursing and midwifery.
• Dr Nasser Kurdy, services to interfaith reconciliation.
• Professor Avtar Singh Matharu, University of York – services to equality, diversity and community cohesion.
• Dr Ritan Ashvinkumar Mehta, England Women’s Football Team – services to association football.
• Ranu Mehta-Radia, Founder, Sai School of Harrow – services to the community.
• Bhishma Raj Niraula, Hindu Religious Teacher, Royal Gurkha Rifles – services to British Forces Brunei.
• Babar Ali Qureshi, Co-Founder, The Research Club – services to business, charity and cricket.
• Kambiz Ramzan Ali, services to taekwondo and the community.
• Dr Dwarampudi Rama Krishna Reddy, Director, Homeless Housing – services to homeless people.
• Kulwant Singh Sehmi, Moorfields Eye Hospital – services to the NHS.
• Ramona Senior, West Yorkshire Police – services to policing.
• Sajda Khatoon Shah, services to community development.
• Mohammed Shaukat, Volunteer, Glasgow Central Mosque – services to the community.
• Balbir Singh, Artistic Director – services to dance.
• Abu Taher, Co-Founder, Shanghati Literary Society – services to the Bangladeshi community.
• Sajid Ebrahim Varda, Founder, UK Muslim Film Festival – services to diversity in film and television.

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

• Fatima Ahmad, Foster Carer – services to foster care.
• Amila Ahmed, Teaching Assistant – services to education.
• Asma Reyaz Haq, Founder, Marks Gate Relief Project – community services.
• Manjinder Singh Kang, Network Rail – services to rail safety and charity.
• Bhajan Matharu, Assistant Headteacher – services to education.
• Pritesh Pattni, Postmaster – community and charitable services.
• Indra Rukmani Perera, Early Years Leader – services to early years education.
• Kanti Karsan Pindoria, Metropolitan Police – services to policing and community.
• Shaeera Fatima Sahi, services to young people.
• Sabhijinder Singh Hayer (Sam Hayer), Weightlifting coach – services to sport and community.
• Sahina Ugradar, services to the community in Ilford.

Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO)

• Surinder Singh Rawat, Lead Network Engineer, Royal Household.

Diplomatic Service MBE

• Dr Ahmad Masood Cheema, Consultant Surgeon – services to the Falkland Islands.

King’s Volunteer Reserves Medal (KVRM)

• Major Neeraj Shah VR.

A Defining Moment for Modern Britain

Of the 1,157 honours awarded in 2026, around five per cent went to people of Asian heritage, while overall ethnic minority representation doubled to 14 per cent compared with last year.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the list recognises “the very best of Britain – people who put the common good ahead of themselves to strengthen communities and change lives”.

The King’s New Year Honours List 2026 will be remembered as a defining chapter in Britain’s evolving story—one where South Asian excellence is visible, valued and celebrated at every level of national life.