Imperial celebrates royal honours

Lynne Cox, Director of the Research Office at Imperial, was among those recognised in this year's Queen's birthday honours list.

Lynne was awarded a Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM), in recognition of her services to research in higher education.

Lynne said: "I am both fortunate and privileged to have spent my working career supporting medical and non-medical scientists and researchers in their quest to win research funds to address health, engineering and science research needs.

"Imperial has given me many opportunities over many years to support the College in its mission of enduring world class research excellence and the fantastic academic community who deliver it.

"I am continually fascinated and proud to watch ideas being formed, projects being funded and then the outputs of those research projects.

"Having worked in research support for so long, I see projects that started in the lab maybe 10 or 20 years ago which with development and collaboration around the world, are now being translated into new medicines or treatments, engineering devices or solutions.

"I feel very flattered to have been nominated and to receive the BEM recognition for the work I do.

"The challenges of my job and the rewards it brings, through the people I support and work with at Imperial, is hugely satisfying and a daily reward in itself."

Well deserved

Professor James Stirling CBE FRS, Provost at Imperial, said: "Nowadays the process of successfully applying for research funding is complex, with increasingly fierce competition. It is therefore essential to have high level and sophisticated advice and support. 

"With her formidable knowledge, dedication and tireless support for our academic community, Lynne is one of the jewels in our crown and I wholeheartedly congratulate her on this well-deserved achievement."

Also on the Queen’s birthday honours list is Jeremy Grantham, philanthropist and founding donor of the College’s Grantham Institute – Climate Change and the Environment. Jeremy was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for philanthropic service to climate change research. 

Simon Cartmell, Operating Partner at Imperial Innovations, received an OBE for services to the Healthcare Business Sector.

Alumni success

A number of Imperial alumni were also recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Among them were five recipients of the OBE: Marcus Bruton (MBA DIC 1998) for services to supporting improvements to frontline military equipment; Olivia Carlton (Charing Cross Hospital Medical School 1983) for services to Transport for London and occupational medicine; Alan Thorpe (PhD Physics 1976) for services to environmental science and research; Peter West (MBA DIC 1992) for services to the rail industry; and Vanessa Mayatt (Chemical Engineering 1979) for services to public health and animal health. Rashik Parmar (Engineering 1983), an adjunct professor at Imperial College Business School and IBM executive, received an OBE for services to innovation and business. 

Three alumni were awarded an MBE: Judith Crompton (Wye College 1976) for services to the environment and the community in Dorset; Vari Drennan (Health Management 1995) for services to health policy research, development and nursing; and Simon Opher (St Mary’s Hospital Medical School 1986, MB BS Medicine 1988) for services to healthcare and patients’ wellbeing in Gloucestershire.

Philip Hulme (Mechanical Engineering 1969) received a Knighthood for services to technology and to philanthropy.

Two alumni received British Empire Medals: Anthony Marshall (Wye College 1967) for services to the community in Old Warden, Bedfordshire; and Charles Frankish (Civil Engineering 2001) for services to transport and the community in London.