Health and care leaders among those recognised in the 2026 New Year Honours List

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside’s Chair and Chief Executive have congratulated all 30 people from Cheshire and Merseyside who were recognised in the King’s 2026 New Year Honours List.

Among those recognised were Mersey Care Chief Executive - and NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB board member - Trish Bennett, who was awarded an MBE for services to the NHS following 40 years of experience in all age community and mental health services.

Dr Graeme Allan, volunteer medical director at Southport Macmillan Centre and former (ICB) cancer lead GP in Sefton, was also recognised with a British Empire Medal. He has worked in a health commissioning role for cancer services for more than 20 years, improving the care and support available to people affected by cancer in Southport and Formby.

Dr Liz Bishop, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside’s Chief Executive, said: 

Recipients of New Year Honours from across Cheshire and Merseyside were:

• Kathrine Cowell, Chair, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. For services to the NHS.
• Sarah Beresford, Associate, Prison Reform Trust. For services to Children with Parents in the Criminal Justice System.
• Anna Dawe, Chief Executive Officer and Principal, Wigan and Leigh College, Greater Manchester. For services to Further Education.
• Dr Jonathan Hague, Executive, Unilever and Chair, Liverpool City Region Innovation Board. For services to Research, Innovation and Economic Development.
• Rachael Hennigan, Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Hugh Baird College, Merseyside. For services to Further Education.
• Professor Martin Humphries, Professor of Biochemistry, University of Manchester. For services to Bioscience.
• Linda Jones, Chief Executive Officer, Prospere Learning Trust. For services to Education.
• Patricia Bennett, Chief Executive Officer, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust. For services to the NHS.
• Maureen Berry, Business Analyst, HM Revenue and Customs. For services to Inclusion.
• Professor Alan Boyd, President and Chief Executive Officer, Boyd Consultants. For services to Gene Therapy and to Medical Education.
• Susan Briegal, Lately Chief Executive Officer, World Netball and Chair, North West Rowing Council. For services to Sport.
• David  Cook, Foster Carer, St Helens Borough Council, St Helens, Merseyside. For services to Foster Care.
• Susan Cook, Foster Carer, St Helens Borough Council, St Helens, Merseyside. For services to Foster Care.
• Michelle Cox, Nurse and Race Equality Consultant, Michelle Cox Consultancy. For services to Nursing and Patient Outcomes.
• Professor Peter Farrell, Construction Management Professor Emeritus, University of Greater Manchester. For services to Higher Education and to the Construction Industry.
• Alex Greenwood, for services to Association Football.
• Anthony Jones, Volunteer, Royal National Lifeboat Institution and Chair, New Brighton Community Centre. For Voluntary Service to Maritime Safety and to the community in New Brighton.
• Tara Jones, Rugby League Referee. For services to Rugby League Football.
• Kenneth Lawton, Disability Services Advocacy Manager, Department for Work and Pensions. For services to Vulnerable Families and to the Veteran Community.
• Professor Paul May, For services to Charitable Fundraising and to Neurosurgery.
• Bernard Morgan, Volunteer, Imperial War Museum. For services to Volunteering and to History.
• Dr Graeme Allan, Volunteer Medical Director, Southport Macmillan Centre and Lately Cancer Lead GP in Sefton. For services to the community in Southport.
• Dr Nunzia Bertali. For services to UK/Italy Relations and to the community in Wirral.
• Margaret Clarke, Foster Carer. For services to Foster Care.
• Bernadette Langfield, Founder, Shy Lowen Horse and Pony Sanctuary. For services to Charity.
• Arnold Lewis. For services to the Jewish Community in Liverpool.
• Janice Monty, Trustee and lately Chief Executive Officer, Shaftesbury Youth Club, Merseyside, and lately Chief Executive Officer, Tranmere Rovers in the Community.  For services to the community in The Wirral.
• Jennifer Turner, School Crossing Patrol. For services to Road Safety.
• Richard Turner. For services to the community in Thurstaton, Merseyside.
• Geoffrey Wellens. For services to Heritage and to the community in Middleton, Greater Manchester.