Queen’s Birthday Honours

The University’s former Vice-Chancellor has been awarded a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Sir David Grant CBE, FREng, FLSW, FIET, CEng, who led the University from 2001-2012 was recognised for his wide-ranging contribution to engineering, technology and education.

Under Sir David’s leadership, Cardiff University recorded a number of milestones including the creation of the Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre, increasing student numbers and achieving Investors in People status - the first Russell Group University to do so.

Currently chair of the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), Sir David is also a non-executive director of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and is senior independent director of Renishaw Plc and IQE Plc. He is also Chair of the educational charity STEMNET.

Elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 1997, he was made CBE in the same year for his contribution to the UK Foresight Programme. He was a Vice President of the Royal Academy of Engineering from 2007 to 2012 and served as a governing board member of the Technology Strategy Board, now Innovate UK, from 2007 to 2015. Previously a Council member of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Sir David has also served as a Council member and Vice President of the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Colin Riordan said: “Perhaps most importantly during his tenure as Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University, Sir David Grant helped bring about the merger with the University of Wales College of Medicine. This substantial achievement in turn helped the University become one of the world’s most successful research-intensive universities.

“Today, the University is one of the top 5 in the UK for research excellence, and we owe Sir David a debt of gratitude for his stewardship during his time as Vice-Chancellor.”

Members across the University community were also honoured for their outstanding contribution to all areas of society.

Professor Helen Houston of the School of Medicine was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to medical education and health services in south Wales.

A Clinical Professor at the University’s Institute of Medical Education, Professor Houston has helped transform medical education through her research which has examined the availability of careers advice in medical schools and support programmes for medical students and doctors, among other areas.

Honorary Fellow, Professor Laura McAllister was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to sport in Wales. Chair of Sport Wales until earlier this year, Professor McAllister is also a board member of UK Sport and the Welsh Football Trust.

Honorary Fellow Professor Peter McGuffin of the Institute of Psychiatry at Kings College London was also awarded a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to Biomedical Research and Psychiatric Genetics.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Colin Riordan added: “Congratulations to all members of the University’s community who have received honours. We are very proud to see their work and dedication recognised.”