We are delighted to report that five members of the Kent Alumni Community were recognised in the King’s New Years Honours List 2024. The honours celebrate the exceptional achievements of people across the country ‘with a focus on those who have given with generosity to others in need’.
James Bullion (Economic & Social History, 1986) was awarded a CBE for services to Social Care. He is currently the Interim Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care and Integrated Care at the Care Quality Commission and before that was the Executive Director of Adult Social Services at Norfolk County Council. During his six years at NCC he oversaw the transformation of adult services by establishing a focus on community development and strengthening social work and integrated services with NHS partners.
Jayne Clarke (Social and Educational Psychology, 1992) was awarded an OBE for services to Further Education. She is the Principal of Oldham Sixth Form College and in 2017 co-founded the Pinnacle Learning Trust where she now sits as its CEO. The trust seeks to provide access to education for young people across Oldham and the local area and collaborates with other schools and colleges to achieve this.
John Everitt (MSc Conservation Biology, 1995) was awarded an OBE for services to Conservation for his role as Chief Executive at the National Forest Company.
Dr Matthew Linkie (MSc Conservation Biology, 1999 & PhD Biodiversity Management, 2003) was awarded an MBE for services to Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation in Indonesia, where he is the Regional Technical Director at Wildlife Conservation Society.
Kirstie Baughan (Social Work, 2014) was awarded a Medal of the Order of the British Empire for services to Social Work. She is a Social Worker in Central Bedfordshire and has previously been honoured for her work at the Social Worker of the Year awards in 2022 where she won the Social Worker of the Year and Social Justice Advocate awards.