The New Year’s Honours list celebrates 1,157 individuals, including many from Essex for their community contributions.
The King’s New Year Honours list recognizes people for their exceptional contributions to society. This year, 1,157 recipients are honored, including actor Idris Elba for services to young people, Olympians Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean for ice skating, and singer-songwriter Cynthia Erivo for entertainment.
Many inspiring individuals from Essex have been acknowledged for their community work, including charity founders and dedicated campaigners. Below is the complete list of every person from Essex recognized in the 2026 New Year Honours list.
| Name | Honour | Service | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr John Martin Bagshaw | CBE | Quantum Science in Aerospace and Defence | Chelmsford, Essex |
| Hilary May Evans-Newton | CBE | Charity | Saffron Walden, Essex |
| Richard Haworth Farnes | CBE | Music | Colchester, Essex |
| Catherine Francis | CBE | Public Service | Buckhurst Hill, Essex |
| Jeffrey David Asser | OBE | North Sea Transition | Grays, Essex |
| Jane Louise Hubert | OBE | Cancer Patients | Colchester, Essex |
| Paul Lewis | OBE | Community | Ingatestone, Essex |
| Vivien Sanders | OBE | Public Service | Chelmsford, Essex |
| Olusola Oluronke Anike Alabi | MBE | Education | Purfleet, Essex |
| Professor Michael Kevin Almond QVRM VR DL | MBE | Service Personnel and Veterans | Billericay, Essex |
| Richard Stewart Austin | MBE | Charitable Fundraising and Rugby | Brentwood, Essex |
| Aileen Henderson | MBE | Defence Ceremonial | Canvey Island, Essex |
| Valerie Lolomari | MBE | Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls | Takeley, Essex |
| Ronald Charles Mills | MBE | Young People | Billericay, Essex |
| Dean Ron James Appleton | BEM | Community | Colchester, Essex |
| Ryan Frank Ron Appleton | BEM | Community | Sudbury, Suffolk |
| Leslie John Hawkins | BEM | Policing and Community | Leigh-on-Sea, Essex |
| Robert Anthony Mays | BEM | Parkinson’s Disease Sufferers | Leigh-on-Sea, Essex |
| Angela Patricia O’Callaghan | BEM | Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace | Colchester, Essex |
| Julie Taylor | BEM | Community | Chelmsford, Essex |
| Valentine Freeman West | BEM | Charitable Causes | Colchester, Essex |
Aileen Henderson, 65, received an MBE for her work in defence ceremonial, including making Regimental Colours for King Charles III’s coronation. She expressed her gratitude for the recognition.
Valerie Lolomari, 54, from Takeley, was awarded an MBE for her work in preventing violence against women and girls through her organization, Women of Grace UK. She emphasized the importance of her work for survivors.
Ronald Mills, 73, from Billericay, received an MBE for his contributions to young people through the Jack Petchey Foundation, which has supported over 1.2 million youths.
Dean and Ryan Appleton, both community first responders, were honored with BEMs for their volunteer work in Essex, responding to emergencies and co-founding a local responder group.
Leslie Hawkins, 63, was awarded a BEM for his services to policing and community safety in Essex, recognized for his efforts to improve relationships among voluntary officers.
Bob Mays, 69, received a BEM for his support of Parkinson’s Disease sufferers and charitable fundraising, sharing his personal journey to inspire others.
Angela O’Callaghan, 42, was honored with a BEM for her work in workplace health and wellbeing, sharing her recovery story to help reduce stigma.
Julie Taylor, 58, received a BEM for her campaign against knife crime, establishing emergency bleed control kits in memory of her grandson.
Valentine West was recognized for his charitable work with the Gurkha and Afghan communities in Colchester.
