King’s Birthday Honour for academic in recognition of services to anti-racism

A Cardiff University academic has been recognised for his services to ethnic minority backgrounds and anti-racism.

Professor Emmanuel Ogbonna was named in the King’s Birthday Honours, being made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

His research interests have been in the areas of organisational culture, equality, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism. His work has explored racialization in the UK labour market and the ways in which this impacts Black and minority ethnic groups.

Having held a number of ministerial roles, he helped develop the Welsh Government’s Anti-racist Wales Action Plan and is currently leading on its implementation as co-chair of the Welsh Government’s external accountability group. He also explored the impact of the pandemic as a member of First Minister of Wales’ Black, Asian and minority ethnic COVID-19 Advisory Group and Chair of the COVID-19 socio-economic sub-group.

Professor Ogbonna, who is based at Cardiff Business School, said: “When I started researching the role of race in influencing organisational and societal outcomes in the early 1990s, I did not expect that my work will one day contribute to such potentially transformative change that is the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan.

“I owe a huge debt of gratitude to all those who have supported me on this journey.  I am especially indebted to my wife and family, the university, my many doctoral students and research partners, my co-chairs, members of the Steering Group that helped to develop the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan and the External Accountability Group that is currently leading the implementation of the plan.”

Other Cardiff University alumni to receive honours include former Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen Holford, who has been made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her services to engineering.

Former Cardiff University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Elizabeth Treasure was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to higher education.

Professor Rhian Mair Fenn, of the School of Medicine, has been honoured for services to medical education, being made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

Professor David Lloyd of the School of Biosciences has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), for services to microbiology.

Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, Chief Fire Officer for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, honorary fellow and professor at Cardiff University, has been awarded the King’s Fire Service Medal.

Professor Geoffrey Gadd of the University of Dundee, who completed his BSc (1975) and PhD (1978) at University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire, which became Cardiff University, was awarded an OBE for services to Mycology and Environmental Microbiology.

Commenting on the honours, Vice-Chancellor Professor Wendy Larner said: “Huge congratulations to all those from the Cardiff University community who have been recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours. It is wonderful to see these achievements being celebrated at such a high level and testament to the level of dedication and skill demonstrated by these individuals.”