Girtonians recognised in King's New Year Honours for 2026

Girton College is delighted to congratulate three Girtonians who were recognised in the King's New Year Honours List 2026.

Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire

Dr Suzy Lishman CBE

Leading figure in pathology, Suzy Lishman, has been appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for services to the Medical Examiner System and to Patient Safety in the King's New Year Honours 2026.

As former President of the Royal College of Pathologists (2014 to 2017), Suzy was instrumental in championing the need for a medical examiner service. She continues this work developing learning material and by providing training for medical examiners.

Among her achievements, Suzy was previously named as one of the 50 most inspirational women in healthcare by the Health Services Journal and is also the first pathologist to Chair the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD) in its 35-year history.

Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order

Professor Charles David Seymour Deakin

Professor Charles Deakin was appointed LVO for his position as the Travelling Physician to the King and Queen.

Professor Deakin is a Consultant in Cardiac Anaesthesia and Cardiac Intensive Care at University Hospital Southampton where he was appointed in 1999. He is also Professor of Resuscitation and Pre-hospital Emergency Medicine at the University of Southampton. He has been involved with pre-hospital care since 1993 and is the Divisional Medical Director of South Central Ambulance Service, clinical lead for the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and Honorary Civilian Consultant Advisor in Pre-hospital Emergency Medicine to the British Army.

His research interests include pre-hospital airway management, drugs and mechanical devices in ALS, and defibrillation. Charles has until recently chaired the Advanced Life Support (ALS) Committee for the European Resuscitation Council and was the Co-Chair of the ILCOR (World) ALS Committee for the 2005 and 2010 resuscitation guidelines. In 2020 he was appointed RNLI  vicechair, RNLI. For the past decade, Charles has provided medical support to Royal Household members during their overseas travels.
 

Officer of the Order of the British Empire

Jane Burston OBE

Trailblazer in tackling the global air pollution crisis, Jane Burston, has been appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Air Quality in the King's New Year Honours 2026.

Jane is the founding CEO of Clean Air Fund, a philanthropic organisation whose work is accelerating climate mitigation, improving health and strengthening economies. Their work is at the heart of driving meaningful policy change, through leading on or supporting over 400 projects across the globe that promote air quality data, build public demand for clean air and drive action on air pollution.

We welcome hearing about any news, awards or honours received by Girtonians – please email alumni@girton.cam.ac.uk.

View the full list of honours.