We are delighted that four Balliol alumni have been recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours list. Our warmest congratulations to the following individuals:
John Whiston (1977), Managing Director, Continuing Drama and Head of ITV in the North, ITV Studios, has been awarded Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Broadcasting and to Television.
Professor Sir Vernon Gibson (1980), Visiting Professor, Department of Materials, Imperial College London, has been awarded Knight Bachelor (KB) for services to Science and to Defence.
Sir Vernon said: ‘I feel greatly privileged to be recognised in this way and pay tribute to the many talented scientists and engineers I’ve been fortunate to work alongside in academia, industry and government. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to spend three wonderful years at Balliol carrying out DPhil research under the inspirational guidance of Malcolm Green FRS… and have many fond memories of endeavouring to win blades and cuppers competitions with College friends.’
Stuart Shilson (1980), Lately Chair, St John Ambulance, has been awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the Order of St John and to Change Management.
Stuart said: ‘This award reflects the huge efforts a number of institutions have made to keep innovating to stay relevant, especially St John which has developed an impressive natural disaster preparedness training programme, has refocused its efforts in sub-Saharan Africa towards maternal and neonatal care, and has rethought its St John Ambulance operating model post-Covid. It has been a huge privilege to have been involved in this work for more than two decades, and a fine use of my Balliol education in mathematics, philosophy and medical computing.’
Andrew Copson (1999), Chief Executive, Humanists UK, has been awarded Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the Non-Religious Community.
Andrew said: ‘It’s a particular pleasure to receive the first national award for services to humanists and the non-religious. I am in a proud Balliol tradition of those working in that cause and I’m sure many more will follow!’
If you are an Old Member of Balliol who has received an award, please let us know.