**Welsh Achievers Celebrated in King’s Birthday Honours 2025**
In this year’s King’s Birthday Honours List, more than 70 remarkable individuals from across Wales have been heralded for their exemplary service to their communities and the nation at large. The announcement, which saw a total of 1,215 people recognised from all parts of the United Kingdom, placed a particular spotlight on public service, with Welsh honourees representing a notable 6% of the recipients for 2025.
Amongst the distinguished Welsh awardees is Cardiff native Billy Boston, who has been knighted for his legendary contributions to rugby league. Also joining the honours is Doug Perkins, originally from Llanelli, whose role in founding the high street optician chain Specsavers has garnered recognition at the highest level. Reflecting on the awards, Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised the breadth and depth of dedication encompassed by the honourees, describing them as “powerful reminders of the extraordinary service that flourishes in every part of the country.”
Jo Stevens, Secretary of State for Wales, paid tribute to the Welsh recipients, singling out their passion and commitment. She highlighted the impact of their work in areas from supporting the vulnerable to promoting the arts and sport, asserting their contributions serve as an inspiration to the wider community. “Your work in supporting vulnerable people, championing the arts, increasing access to sport and improving lives in countless ways, serves as an inspiration to all. Thank you for your exceptional service,” Stevens commented.
The breadth of services represented by the Welsh recipients is striking. Sabrina Cresswell, aged 42, was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for her outstanding work in Cwmbran. As the driving force behind Tasty Not Wasty, she coordinates volunteers to collect and prepare surplus supermarket food into affordable meals for struggling families. Particularly noteworthy is the initiative’s efforts at Christmas, providing crisis food packages and festive lunches to those who would otherwise go without, whilst fostering a sense of community through arts and crafts activities.
Reflecting on her award, Sabrina expressed both excitement at being nominated and gratitude for her dedicated network of volunteers. “Our volunteers have put a lot of effort into Tasty Not Wasty and it has grown into something really amazing for the community,” she said, recalling the grassroots beginnings of the initiative during the Covid-19 lockdowns.
Meanwhile, Karen Irene Morgan, National Lymphoedema Education and Research Lead at Lymphoedema Wales, based at Neath’s Cimla Hospital, also receives a BEM. Her long career with the NHS in Wales was recognised for advancing lymphoedema treatment and raising the profile of this specialist area. Morgan spoke of her surprise and emotion on receiving the news, and her deep pride in her team’s achievements and the recognition for Lymphoedema Wales Clinical Network.
Other notable honours include Oliver Sykes, awarded an MBE for pioneering greater access to the arts for underprivileged youth through his work with Stories of Care, and Muriel Morgan, lauded for her half-century of voluntary service in Wrexham, where she coordinated crucial transport for elderly residents needing to attend medical appointments.
Healthcare leadership also gained recognition, with Modupeola Obilanade receiving an MBE for transforming Newport’s St Pauls Clinic into a hub of preventative care and community health. Her efforts have seen the introduction of new clinics and free health consultations for those most in need, underlining the continued importance of primary care innovators in Wales’s public health sector.
The complete list of Welsh honourees encompasses a wide variety of sectors—from medical science, charity work and business, to sports, education, heritage conservation, and the arts. It illustrates the diversity of vital contributions being made across the nation, often by individuals whose efforts usually take place outside the spotlight.
As Wales celebrates its 2025 Birthday Honours recipients, the inspirational stories behind each name provide testimony to the enduring commitment of Welsh people to public service, enterprise, and voluntary work. Crucially, these accolades also offer a reminder of the profound difference that can be made by individuals, from national luminaries to grassroots campaigners, in shaping a more supportive and inclusive society.
With these honours, the achievements of Wales’s finest are brought to the forefront, offering well-deserved recognition, and hopefully inspiring the next generation to continue these traditions of service and innovation.