Former Chair and Herts alumni named in Queen’s Birthday Honours

Former University of Hertfordshire Chair, Richard Beazley, and several University alumni have been named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Richard Beazley was appointed Chair of the University of Hertfordshire in 2013, a post he held for six years. He has been awarded an MBE for his service to the community in Hertfordshire.

During his tenure as Chair of the University of Hertfordshire, Richard oversaw significant investment and development at the institution, including the opening of a new £50m Science Building, a state-of-the-art facility with specialist lab spaces for multi-disciplinary research and learning.

Richard was named alongside University of Hertfordshire alumna, including several former students from the School of Health and Social Work.

Elizabeth Franklin-Jones has been awarded an MBE for her services to nursing and mental health. Elizabeth graduated with a BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child) in 2007 and is currently a Senior Sister for the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust. She was also the first Florence Nightingale Foundation Michael Clift Scholar.

Rachael Moses completed her BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy degree in 2000 and has worked as a Consultant Physiotherapist since 2015. She is now one of the UK’s leading respiratory physiotherapists. In 2020, she was appointed as Chief Allied Health Professions Lead for the NHS Florence Nightingale Hospital in London, built as part of the UK’s emergency response to Covid-19. Rachael has been awarded an OBE for her service to the NHS.

Commenting on his award, Richard Beazley said: “It has been a privilege to have met and worked with many extraordinary people throughout my career. As the former Chair of the University of Hertfordshire and East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, two organisations that play an integral part in our community, you quickly realise that it’s those who work for and support these organisations that really deserve the accolades. The MBE is also recognition of their hard work and endeavours.”

Professor Quintin McKellar, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire, said: “Congratulations to Richard and our alumni who have been named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. It is deserved recognition for the significant impact they have had in their communities and professions.

“As the former Chair of the University of Hertfordshire, Richard has given so much to the Hertfordshire community and the institution. He has guided the University through a period of significant investment and development, which has helped widen access to higher education, improve student experience, and deliver better student progression and graduate outcomes.”

Jackie Kelly, Dean of School Health and Social Work at the University of Hertfordshire, said: “Congratulations to our former Chair Richard, who has always been a champion for healthcare education and research, and is a big supporter of the School of Health and Social Work. And congratulations to Elizabeth and Rachael, both of whom are graduates from the School. Their respective awards not only recognises their professional achievements, but also highlights what is possible in health and social care careers. We are extremely proud of the excellent teaching within the School and the continuing success of our graduates. It is through our expert teaching and strong industry partnerships, including with the NHS, that we are able to give students the confidence they need to move into the workforce and apply their skills, empowering them to improve lives, safeguard futures, and innovate care.”