Honours for graduates in Queen's Birthday List

Former Welsh international rugby player (Brian) Anthonie Sparks was awarded the MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for services to schools’ basketball in Wales. Whilst at Exeter Anthonie was part of the 1st Training College side to win the Middlesex rugby 7s competition.

Kenneth Bovey was also awarded the BEM for charitable services through the Salvation Army in Devon. He has been involved since he first played with them as a bandsman on D-Day in June 1944.

Group Captain John Clifford of the Royal Air Force receives the OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) within the military awards.

Writer and broadcaster Dr Armando Iannucci, who became an Exeter Honorary Graduate at this summer’s graduation, was also awarded the OBE. The writer and producer behind numerous critically acclaimed radio and television shows including The Thick of It and I’m Alan Partridge was given the honour for services to broadcasting.

Honorary Graduate Dr Irene Bishop receives the CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for services to education. She is Headteacher of St Saviour’s and St Olaves Church of England Secondary Girls’ School in London. Dr Bishop is also the Co-Director of the Southwark Schools Learning Partnership - an innovative independent/state school partnership involving six state schools and three independent schools.

Dr Tim Smit, who co-founded the iconic Eden Project in Cornwall and also discovered and restored The Lost Gardens of Heligan, became an honorary Knight last year. He was awarded a KBE (Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) by the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall Lady Mary Holborow on behalf of The Queen, in recognition of his services to public engagement with science.

In March this year Tim – who was born in Holland but has spent most of his life in the UK – took UK citizenship.

This meant that in the latest list his honorary KBE was made substantive and he now can be addressed as Sir Tim Smit.

Susie Hills, Director of Development and Alumni Relations said: “We congratulate all our alumni and Honorary Graduates for their well deserved awards.

“Our alumni do incredible things both within their careers and for society as a whole and it is little wonder they feature strongly in the honours lists.”