Former England chief nursing officer Professor Jane Cummings has been made a dame in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours.
Dame Jane has received the damehood for her work in the voluntary sector, including in her current role as chair of the RCN Foundation.
“I hope too it will encourage more people into a rewarding career in nursing”
Bejoy Sebastian
She is among more than 20 nurses recognised by King Charles in his birthday honours list today.
Commenting on her award, Dame Jane – whose last name is now Lovely – said: “This recognition reflects the wider contribution of the organisations, communities and people that I work with as chair of the RCN Foundation.
“It is a real privilege for me to be able to contribute to supporting and strengthening the professions and to improving health and care outcomes across the UK.
“This honour is also a recognition of the impact of the RCN Foundation, through its ongoing work to support nursing, midwifery, health and social care.”
Several nursing directors have also been honoured, including Professor Ruth Endacott, director of nursing and midwifery at the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
Professor Endacott has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to nursing research and critical care education and practice.
Avey Bhatia
Among those made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) is Avey Bhatia, chief nurse at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, for services to the NHS and nursing.
Marion Dickson, executive director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, also receives an OBE, for services to the NHS.
The chief nurses for Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, Julie Dawes and Mary Mumvuri, respectively, are also on the list.
Other nurses recognised include Professor Calvin Moorley, professor for diversity and social justice at the London South Bank University School of Nursing and Midwifery, who has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
Professor Moorley was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago before moving to England in 1992 and training as a nurse at the University of Essex. He has since become a strong advocate for nursing and equality.
Commenting on his MBE, he said: “This honour is deeply meaningful to me because it reflects the collective efforts of so many people committed to building a more inclusive and just healthcare system.
“Through the programmes and initiatives I have developed and led, we are not just talking about equity – we are actively creating pathways for diverse voices to lead, be heard and shape the future of health and academia.
Calvin Moorley
“This MBE recognises not only my journey but the shared vision of inclusion and belonging that drives all of us forward.”
Nurses in the devolved UK countries have also been honoured, including Tara Rees, advanced nurse practitioner at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board; Dr Catherine Hutchison, consultant nurse at Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre; and Dr Elizabeth Donnelly, lead tissue viability nurse specialist at Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
The president of the Royal College of Nursing, Bejoy Sebastian, said he was “absolutely delighted” to see nurses recognised in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours.
He added: “These honours are not only testament to the skill, expertise and dedication of those recognised but also act as an inspiration to the nurses of today.
“I hope too it will encourage more people into a rewarding career in nursing.”
Nurses named in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours
Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Professor Jane Frances Lovely (Jane Cummings), chair, Royal College of Nursing Foundation. For voluntary services to nursing and to health and social care.
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
Professor Ruth Endacott, director of nursing and midwifery, National Institute for Health and Care Research. For services to nursing research and critical care education and practice.
Officers of the Order of the British Empire
Avinderjit Bhatia, chief nurse, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. For services to the NHS and nursing.
Carole Mary Boulanger, consultant nurse and advanced critical care practitioner, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, and board member, The Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine. For services to critical care.
Marion Dickson, executive director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals, and executive director for surgery and community services, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. For services to the NHS.
Yvonne Cecelia Elizabeth Leavy (Yvonne Sibson), lead epilepsy nurse, NHS Lothian. For services to epilepsy nursing.
Members of the Order of the British Empire
Julie Dawes, chief nurse and deputy chief executive, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. For services to nursing and the NHS.
Jennifer Donnan, hospice palliative care nurse. For services to palliative care in Northern Ireland.
Dr Elizabeth Jean Donnelly, lead nurse tissue viability nurse specialist, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. For services to nursing and Health and Social Care.
Dr Catherine Barbara Hutchison, consultant nurse, Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre. For services to cancer nursing.
Professor Calvin Ray Moorley, professor for diversity and social justice, School of Nursing and Midwifery, London South Bank University. For services to academia, nursing and nurse education.
Claire Louise Morris, senior nursing workforce lead, NHS England. For services to the nursing workforce.
Mary Mumvuri, chief nursing officer and deputy chief executive officer, Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust. For services to mental health, learning disabilities and autism.
Kathryn Mary Murphy, director of nursing and midwifery, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. For services to midwifery leadership.
Professor Donna-Jean Corrigan O’Boyle, professional adviser to the chief nursing officer’s directorate, Scottish Government. For services to improving patient safety.
Dr Heather Anne Richardson, lately director of academic learning and action and chief executive officer, St Christopher ‘s Hospice. For services to nursing and palliative care.
John Robert Welch, nurse consultant, critical care and critical care outreach, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. For services to nursing and to patient safety.
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire
Diane Lorraine Powles, strategic education adviser, Health Education and Improvement Wales. For services to nursing and to education.
Tara Rees, advanced nurse practitioner, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. For services to nursing.
Moira Helen Sinclair, clinical nurse manager, acute services NHS Orkney. For services to the NHS in Orkney.
Military list
As an Ordinary Associate of the Royal Red Cross, Second Class
Warrant officer class 1 Ashley Grant Coull, Royal Army Medical Service.
Flight sergeant Stephanie Louise Roberts.
Overseas and international list
Members of the Order of the British Empire
Lesley Mistry, trustee and lead nurse, Healing Little Hearts Global Foundation. For services to the co-ordination of heart surgery for children internationally.
Janet Varney, lately nurse; volunteer, the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed, Bangladesh; trustee, Harbour Housing, United Kingdom. For services to disabled and disadvantaged people in Bangladesh and the United Kingdom.
If we have missed off any nurses from our list, please let us know via gemma.mitchell@emap.com
