Alumni feature in the Queen’s New Year Honours 2022 List

We were delighted to hear that two of our alumni community were recognised in the New Year Honours 2022 List.

The New Year Honours mark the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the United Kingdom and celebrates the accomplishments of people from all backgrounds from across the UK.

Services to dance

Alistair Spalding CBE, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Sadler’s Wells, has been awarded a Knighthood for Services to Dance in the New Year Honours.

Sir Alistair (BA (Hons) Linguistics and Philosophy, 1980) has been the Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Sadler’s Wells Theatre since 2004.

Under his leadership, Sadler’s Wells has become one of the most respected dance institutions in the world, presenting an ambitious programme of cutting-edge dance in all its forms, and hosting world-class national and international companies and artists.

Alistair is a huge supporter of the University and a regular visitor to campus. In 2016 he was welcomed on site to officially open Spalding Court, part of the University’s exciting new accommodation development at College Lane. He was the key note speaker at our Humanities Conference in 2019 and a presenter at the University’s 2020 Festival of ideas.

Vice-Chancellor Quintin McKellar CBE said, ‘We are immensely proud of Sir Alistair and his achievements. It is a fantastic honour and richly deserved. We are always grateful of his ongoing support for the University and look forward to his next visit.’

Hertfordshire Hero

Alumna Sarah Wren, Chief Executive at Hertfordshire Independent Living Service (HILS), has been awarded an OBE for services to Older and Disabled People in Hertfordshire. Sarah has very close links with the Schools of Health and Social Work and Life and Medical Sciences and has provided many placement opportunities for undergraduate students at HILS.

Speaking about the recent award, Sarah said, ‘I feel hugely honoured to receive this award and I would like to recognise the incredible service of all my HILS colleagues who work together to improve the health, happiness, and independence of the thousands of older and disabled people who we are privileged to serve.’

Wendy Wills, Associate Dean (Research) in the School of Health and Social Work said, 'It’s fantastic news and thoroughly deserved. Sarah does so much for the needs of older people and those living with disability, and we are so pleased this has been recognised with the award of the OBE.

We look forward to continuing to work with Sarah in the coming years for the benefit of the Hertfordshire community and beyond. She is an inspirational leader, who champions the research conducted by staff and students at the University.'