South Asians across the UK have been recognised in significant numbers in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours, highlighting the community’s wide-reaching contributions to British society.
A total of 67 South Asian individuals have been honoured this year across various levels of the Order of the British Empire, spanning sectors from public service and education to healthcare, technology, and the arts.
Among them, 4 received the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), including Tanuja Randery, Managing Director at Amazon Web Services, and Professor Jagtar Singh for services to the NHS. At the Officer level (OBE), 19 honourees include prominent figures such as Dr Sayed Ali Abbas for peacebuilding and Sunita Arora for philanthropy. The Member level (MBE) saw 31 recipients, while 12 individuals were awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for hands-on community work.
Importantly, women represented 41% of all South Asian recipients, with strong visibility at the MBE and OBE levels. Female honourees include Riazul Hassan for her work on anti-racism, Zahrah Mahmood for voluntary service in Scotland, and Dr Richa Sinha for tackling Hinduphobia and promoting Hindu community values.
The awards also reflect the geographic and professional diversity of the South Asian community. Greater London accounted for the largest share of recipients, followed by the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, and Glasgow. Fields recognised range from education, policing, public health, science, law, and transport, to arts, dance, cricket, and marine conservation.
This year’s list not only honours individual excellence but also reflects the evolving role of British South Asians in shaping the nation’s civic, cultural, and social fabric—often in underrepresented or grassroots spaces.
These honours arrive at a particularly meaningful time. In a political climate where immigration and identity are increasingly the subject of divisive rhetoric and policy, the recognition of South Asian individuals sends a powerful message about inclusion, belonging, and the invaluable role ethnic minorities play in national life. It affirms that contributions from historically marginalised communities are not only essential but deeply valued in shaping the UK’s future.
This year’s list not only honours individual excellence but also reflects the evolving role of British South Asians in shaping the nation’s civic, cultural, and social fabric, often in underrepresented or grassroots spaces.
Honours for Sikh community leaders
Sikhs across the UK have also been recognised for their outstanding contributions to British society in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025, with individuals celebrated for their work in healthcare, education, charity, and cultural preservation.
Professor Jagtar Singh has been awarded a CBE for his exceptional service to the NHS. Over a decades-long career, he led transformational change at Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, championing workforce inclusion and reducing health inequalities. A former OBE recipient, he has also served in the Fire Service for over 30 years and was recently named Honorary Professor by the University of Warwick.
Surdarshan Singh Chana is awarded an MBE for his lifelong contribution to music and Sikh culture. A master of the tabla and the rare jori instrument, his work preserves the Punjabi jori-pakhawaj tradition and continues through voluntary service in Sikh temples across the UK.
Jasvir Singh CBE and Param Singh MBE, Co-Chairs of City Sikhs, said, “These honours are a powerful reflection of the Sikh community’s enduring contribution to British society. Whether in health, education, music, or activism, each recipient exemplifies the Sikh values of service, excellence, and justice. We are proud of their achievements and grateful to all who support a stronger, kinder society.”
South Asian NHS heroes honoured
Several outstanding NHS professionals from London have also been recognised, including notable South Asian figures whose contributions to healthcare have had far-reaching impact.
Professor Avey (Avinderjit) Bhatia has been awarded an OBE for her services to nursing and the NHS. With a distinguished career spanning three decades, Professor Bhatia expressed deep gratitude for the recognition.
“I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this award. It is recognition that I share with colleagues who have supported my career, and also my family whose encouragement has been instrumental in enabling my role in the NHS. It has been an absolute privilege to have worked in the NHS as a nurse for the last 30 years, and this honour inspires me for the years ahead.”
Professor Noor Ul Owase Jeelani, a pioneering paediatric neurosurgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, was awarded an MBE for his services to neurosurgery and global child health. He said, “This recognition is not just a reflection of my work, but of the dedication and passion of every colleague and team member who has been part of this journey. All children are equally precious, and it is our collective responsibility to look after them.”
Also honoured is Professor Pankaj Sharma, a consultant neurologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Director of the Institute of Cardiovascular Research at Royal Holloway, University of London. He received an OBE for two decades of groundbreaking research into stroke in British South Asians. “It is a privilege to be recognised for the quiet but dedicated work my group and I have been undertaking in understanding and improving the health of British South Asians,” he said.
Their recognition among those of many others highlights the enduring contributions of NHS professionals and the impact of British South Asians in shaping a healthier, more inclusive healthcare landscape.
Zamiha Desai MBE
Zamiha Desai, the visionary behind RecommendAsian, a vibrant, women-led lifestyle space with over 75,000 members, and ProfessionalAsian, a dynamic entrepreneurial and professional network boasting more than 95,000 members; has been awarded an MBE.
Reflecting on the honour, she said, “This MBE isn’t just for me — it belongs to every South Asian woman who’s asked, shared, built something from scratch, or lifted someone else along the way.”
“These communities are proof that when we come together, magic happens — in business, in solidarity, and in everyday life. They are run by an incredible team who are dedicated fully to the upliftment of others”
Her work is deeply personal. After losing her husband unexpectedly on Christmas Day 2022, and just a few weeks ago her beloved father, Zamiha continued to lead her community through grief, growth, and grit.
“When I lost everything, the community I built held me up,” she said. “This honour represents resilience — mine, and ours. I’ve turned pain into purpose, and I’m not done yet.”
Zamiha plans to use this national recognition to expand her platforms, amplify British Asian voices in media and business, and continue mentoring underrepresented founders across the UK.
Pooja Kanda OBE
Pooja Kanda, anti-knife crime campaigner and mother of Ronan Kanda, in whose honour Ronan’s Law is named. The 16-year-old British-Indian boy was tragically killed in 2022 in a case of mistaken identity near his home in Wolverhampton.
About the honour, she said, “Receiving this honour is overwhelming. It’s overwhelming because no one ever wants to be honoured in the way I have been—by losing a child. No mother wants that. Yes, I feel honoured, but at the same time, the happiness that should come with it is missing and will always be missing, because it comes after losing my son.
“I’m grateful, and I dedicate this honour to my son, to Rohan Kanda, and to his legacy.”
About the journey ahead, she said, “My fight against knife crime continues. But I believe others must step forward too. People need to come forward to support us in whatever way they can. They can connect with us, let us know they’ve heard of Rohan’s story, and help spread it.
“By sharing Rohan’s story, people across the world can join us in this fight. Especially in Asian and Indian cultures, I feel that people often don’t speak out. But this isn’t just about me, it’s about all of us.
“My next step is to establish a charity in Rohan’s name. I will continue fighting for a national licensing system for knives, for increased police presence, and for policing strategies that actually work. I want schools to have clear policies and procedures in place, so they know how to support children who are struggling or showing signs of trouble.
“There’s so much more to do. It’s endless. This has become my mission for life, for as long as I live.”
Sonia Sabri MBE
Sonia Sabri is a celebrated British-born Kathak dancer, choreographer, and Artistic Director of the Sonia Sabri Company. Acclaimed internationally as one of the foremost exponents of Kathak, she blends the classical tradition with contemporary expression.
Reflecting on the honour, she said, “I was naturally surprised, if not shocked, when I found out. I was shaking, actually. I just couldn’t believe that something like this could happen to someone like me. I’ve received so many heartfelt messages from around the world, from the South Asian dance fraternity, from family in India, and it’s a real blessing.
“I come from a humble, working-class background. My parents owned a small corner shop, and it was their passion and belief in me that started my journey in Kathak. They faced a lot of resistance, even spite, for putting a girl into dance training. It was a courageous choice, and it paved the way for everything I’ve done since.
“This award isn’t just about entertainment. South Asian dance has deep cultural, spiritual, and social value. I’ve worked with communities affected by hardship, domestic violence, or where the arts are disrespected. Sharing Kathak with them takes courage and patience, it’s not about accolades, it’s about impact.
“There are still not enough South Asian women being seen and celebrated. I hope this honour sends a message to all those from underrepresented communities: never stop dreaming, never stop believing.
“As British artists, we’re representing the UK on global stages. We are contributing, not only to culture, but to the country’s economy, identity, and international reputation. I hope this recognition is a reminder that the arts matter deeply, and that our stories, our presence, and our contributions are vital to the fabric of this nation.”
Dr Richa Sinha MBE
Dr Richa Sinha is the Chairperson of the Scottish Hindu Foundation and a prominent advocate for Scotland’s Hindu community. She is known for her work combatting Hinduphobia and promoting cultural representation, civic participation, and community cohesion.
Speaking to Asian Voice, she said, “Receiving this honour was a huge surprise. The work we do is entirely volunteer-led, done with minimal resources, and often in our spare time while juggling day jobs. We never did it for recognition, but this award shows that people are watching, and that’s incredibly humbling.
“Still, I don’t see this as my recognition alone. It belongs to every organisation, community, and individual I’ve worked with over the last 10 years. Many of the ideas came from the team. I might be in the spotlight, but this is a shared achievement.
“I’m especially grateful that this MBE recognises not just work with the Hindu community, but also the need to address Hinduphobia. For a long time, our voices went unheard. Until recently, Hindus in Scotland didn’t even have a representative body. But now, we’re being seen, and our concerns are being taken seriously.
“The term ‘Asian’ is often used broadly, but our identities are layered and distinct. There’s now a genuine interest in understanding those nuances and that’s real progress. We’re proud to be advocating for things like yoga’s inclusion in NHS services, while also tackling harder conversations like Hinduphobia.
“To the Hindu community, I say: take pride in your identity, and speak up. Report incidents. When there’s data, there’s action. You are not alone and your voice matters.”
Neelam Devesher DL MBE
The founding member and Chair of Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum said, “I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition. It is shared with the incredible partners, organisations, and communities I have had the privilege to work alongside through the Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum. Together, we have championed inclusion, equity, and opportunity for Surrey’s diverse communities.
“As someone whose family made a new life in this country, I carry a deep personal commitment to fairness, inclusion, equity, and community. As Chair of the Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum, I have had the privilege of working with inspiring individuals and organisations dedicated to building a more compassionate and just society.
“This honour is a reflection of our collective efforts to create a fairer and more connected Surrey — and a reminder of how much more we can achieve together.”
Sunita Arora OBE
Sunita Arora received an OBE for her philanthropic work through the Arora Charitable Foundation, which supports education, healthcare, and humanitarian relief projects in the UK and abroad.
Reflecting on the recognition, she said, “I am truly honoured and delighted to receive this OBE. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and collaboration that drive meaningful impact.
“I am deeply grateful for the power of compassion and community and am inspired to continue making a difference. ”
Ranjit Singh OBE
Over the past few years, Ranjit has been at the forefront of Hull College’s impressive transformation, leading a strategic shift in quality and learner experience that has earned national recognition.
He has played a pivotal role in the college’s turnaround, driving forward a culture of trust, transparency, and collaboration. Under his leadership, the college has gone from ‘Requires Improvement’ to ‘Good’ in its Ofsted rating - with its adult learning provision now rated ‘Outstanding’.
Speaking about receiving the honour, Ranjit said, “I am extremely proud to be receiving an OBE. This is an incredible honour and something I never imagined would come my way. I would like to thank Debra Gray MBE for her expert guidance and support over the past few years, and Amarjit Basi for his invaluable mentorship.
“This recognition is a reflection of all the amazing staff at Hull College, who I have the privilege of working with every day. This award will only inspire me to work even harder to help our students and community achieve great things. Finally, my heartfelt thanks also go to my wife and son for their love and support.”
British Asians on the list include:
Order of the British Empire
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Prem Babu Goyal OBE
Alderman, City of London Corporation. For Public Service (London, Greater London)
Frederick Khandekar PERRY
Lately Director, Advanced Manufacturing, Department for Business and Trade. For services to Business and Trade (London, Greater London)
Tanuja Randery
Managing Director and Vice President, Amazon Web Services, Europe, Middle East, and Africa. For services to Business and the Technology Sector (London, Greater London)
Professor Jagtar Singh OBE
Lately Chair, Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust. For services to the NHS (Bedford, Bedfordshire)
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Dr Sayed Ali Abbas
For services to Peacebuilding and to Interfaith Dialogue (London, Greater London)
Professor Robin Raihan Ali FMedSci
Professor of Human Molecular Genetics, King 's College London. For services to Gene and Cell Therapies (London, Greater London)
Sunita Arora
Founder, The Arora Charitable Foundation. For services to the Charitable Sector and to Philanthropy (Virginia Water, Surrey)
Avinderjit Bhatia
Chief Nurse, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. For services to the NHS and Nursing (Tunbridge Wells, Kent)
Rita Hirani
Strategic Advisor and Lately Chief Executive Officer, MindOut. For services to Women, to the LGBTQ+ Community, and to Victims of Domestic Abuse (London, Greater London)
Mohammed Umar Hussain MBE
Police Staff, Chief Finance Officer, South Wales Police. For services to Policing (Newport, Gwent)
Professor Muhammad Afzal Javed
Consultant Psychiatrist, Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust and Lately Honorary Associate Clinical Professor, University of Warwick. For services to Mental Health (Nuneaton, Warwickshire)
Pooja Kanda
Anti-Knife Crime Campaigner, Justice for Ronan. For services to the Prevention of Knife Crime (Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire)
Dr Kulin Kantilal Patel
Veterinary Advisor for International Trade, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. For services to Animal Health and to International Trade (London, Greater London)
Rasheed Nicholas John Pendry
Director of Practice, Children's Services, Wandsworth Borough Council. For services to Children and Family Social Care (London, Greater London)
Vaibhav Puri
Director of Sector Strategy and Transformation, Rail Safety and Standards Board. For services to Rail Safety and Standards (St Neots, Cambridgeshire)
Mohammad Sadique (Sid Sadique)
Chairman and Owner, Electra Commercial Vehicles Ltd. For services to the Automotive and Transport Industry (Huddersfield, West Yorkshire)
Professor Hanifa Unisa Shah
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Birmingham City University. For services to Higher Education (Birmingham, West Midlands)
Professor Pankaj Sharma
Director, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Royal Holloway University of London. For services to Research in Strokes in South Asian People (London, Greater London)
Ranjit Singh
Vice Principal for Quality and Learner Experience, Hull College. For services to Further Education (London, Greater London)
Dr Parag Singhal
Consultant Endocrinologist, Weston Area Health NHS Trust. For services to Health Education and Black and Minority Ethnic Doctors (Weston-super-Mare, Somerset)
Captain Jagjit Singh Sohal
Chair, WW1 Sikh Memorial Fund. For services to the Commemoration of Commonwealth Soldiers who served Great Britain (Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands)
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Farhan Adam
Headteacher, Crown Hills Community College, Leicester. For services to Education (Leicester, Leicestershire)
Surdarshan Singh Chana
Indian Classical Musician. For services to Music and Sikh Culture (Birmingham, West Midlands)
Hafsha Dadabhai-Shaikh
Director, Smartlyte - Get Families Talking. For services to Digital Inclusion (Birmingham, West Midlands)
Umeshkumar Desai
For services to Higher Education (Leicester, Leicestershire)
Zamiha Desai
Founder, RecommendAsian and Founder, ProfessionalAsian. For services to the British Asian Community (London, Greater London)
Neelam Devesher DL
Chair, Community Foundation for Surrey and Chair, Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum. For services to Charity and to the community in Surrey (Leatherhead, Surrey)
Riazul Hassan
Head of Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan, Welsh Government. For services to Community Relations and the Vision of a Racism-free Wales (Swansea, West Glamorgan)
Muhbeen Hussain
For Political Services to Integration, Cohesion and to British Society (Grays, Essex)
Amina Hussein
Operations Manager, International Family Tracing, British Red Cross. For services to the Red Cross (London, Greater London)
Professor Noor Ul Owase Jeelani
Professor of Paediatric Neurosurgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust. For services to Neurosurgery and Global Child Health (Loughton, Essex)
Pravin Ravji Kara Jethwa
Delivery Officer, Regions Group London, Department for Education. For services to Education (Watford, Hertfordshire)
Sujan Katuwal
For services to the community in the Royal Borough of Greenwich (London, Greater London)
Fazilette Sultana Khan
Founder Trustee, Greenseas Trust. For services to Marine Conservation (London, Greater London)
Muzahid Uddin Khan DL
For services to Charity and to the community in Oldham (Oldham, Greater Manchester)
Mohan Singh Kundi
Chair, Sefton Carers Centre. For services to Charity (Formby, Merseyside)
Zahrah Mahmood
President, Ramblers Scotland. For Voluntary Service in Scotland (Glasgow, City of Glasgow)
Ram Kishan Mehmi
Councillor for Pleck, Walsall and Trustee, Darlaston Temple. For services to Faith and Integration (Walsall, West Midlands)
Muhammad Abdul Musabbir
Chair, Hyde Bangladesh Welfare Association. For services to Community Cohesion (Hyde, Greater Manchester)
Parimalkumar Bhanuprasad Patel
Paralegal Officer, Crown Prosecution Service. For services to Law and Order (London, Greater London)
Sanjay Mahendra Patel
Lately Managing Director, The Hundred. For services to Cricket (Marlow, Buckinghamshire)
Sat Paul
For services to the community in Bedford, Bedfordshire (Bedford, Bedfordshire). For services to Academia and Education (London, Greater London)
Sonia Sabri
Dance Artist. For services to Dance (Birmingham, West Midlands)
Shahbaz Hussain Shah
Firefighter, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service. For services to the community in Lancashire (Nelson, Lancashire)
Monaser Shahzad (Mona Shah)
Founder and Managing Director, Harry Specters. For services to Training and Employment for Young People with Autism (Ely, Cambridgeshire)
Aruna Kumari Sharma
Lately Headteacher, Villiers High School, London. For services to Education (London, Greater London)
Dr Richa Sinha
Chair, The Scottish Hindu Foundation. For services to the Hindu Community in Scotland and to Tackling Hinduphobia (Glasgow, City of Glasgow)
Professor Jaspal Singh Taggar
Head, Undergraduate Primary Care Education and Director, Primary Care Education Unit, University of Nottingham. For services to General Practice and General Practice Teaching (Nottingham, Nottinghamshire)
Vasim Ul-Haq
Vice Chair and Treasurer, Thames Reach Charity. For services to the Homeless in London (Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire)
Shahid Ullah
Work Coach, Department for Work and Pensions. For Public and Charitable Service (London, Greater London)
Sandeep Wales
Quality Improvement Advisor and CoChair, Together Network, North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust. For services to Supporting Ethnically Diverse Ambulance Staff (Bishop Auckland, County Durham)
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
Dr Muhammad Ahsan
Community Safety Officer, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service. For services to the community in Essex (Chelmsford, Essex)
Ram Prakash Gupta
For services to the community in Lancashire and Greater Manchester (Blackburn, Lancashire)
Zarith Nasa Hussain
For services to Cricket (Bradford, West Yorkshire)
Mujahid Khan
For services to the Development, Practice, and Teaching of Tang Soo Do (Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire)
Adarsh Khullar
Founder and Chair, Scottish Asian Ekta Group. For services to the Scottish Asian Ekta Group (Glasgow, City of Glasgow)
Dr Prashant Jayantilal Ladva
Doctor, NHS and Chief Executive Officer, LinkMedics. For services to British Citizen Doctors Trained Overseas (Bolton, Greater Manchester)
Aruna Bipin Mistry
Laboratory Teacher, Science and Engineering, University of Birmingham. For services to Higher Education (Coventry, Warwickshire)
Hafsa Omar
Founder, Moss Side Eco Squad. For services to the community in Manchester (Manchester, Greater Manchester)
Amish Dipakkumar Patel
Director, Hodgson Pharmacy. For services to Community Pharmacy (London, Greater London)
Ali Qaqdar
For services to the community in Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Sheffield, South Yorkshire)
Santosh Sharma
Volunteer, Oxfam. For Charitable Service (Cardiff, South Glamorgan)
Overseas and international list
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Raj Ghose
Team Leader, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. For services to British Foreign Policy.
The Military division of The King's Birthday Honours List 2025
Several military personnel have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List for their distinguished service in the Armed Forces.
Army Awards (As Member)
Lieutenant Colonel Bharat Sunil Kara, The Royal Logistic Corps, Army Reserve
Royal Air Force Awards (As Officer)
Wing Commander Ankur Narendra Pandya
Royal Air Force Awards (As Member)
Flight Lieutenant Raj Kiran Mehta
