New Year Honours 2025: Former University of Cambridge vice-chancellor Prof Sir Leszek Borysiewicz awarded Knights Grand Cross
Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
Former University of Cambridge vice-chancellor Prof Sir Leszek Borysiewicz has been awarded the Knights Grand Cross for services to cancer research, clinical research, medicine and charities.
Prof Borysiewicz was appointed as chair of Cancer Research UK in November 2016 following a distinguished research career and seven-year spell as vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge.
He demonstrated impressive leadership throughout his tenure at Cancer Research UK, overseeing the work of the organisation during the Covid-19 pandemic, one of the most difficult periods in its history.
Cancer Research UK achieved several key research breakthroughs during Prof Borysiewicz’s time as chair. This included proving that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was cutting cases of cervical cancer by nearly 90 per cent.
Sir Leszek’s previous roles include chief executive of the Medical Research Council and deputy rector of Imperial College London. He is a founding fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.
Prof Borysiewicz was awarded a knighthood in 2001 for his pioneering work in vaccines. This included Europe’s first trial of a vaccine for human papillomavirus to prevent cervical cancer, research conducted at the University of Cardiff and funded by Cancer Research UK. Early teenage girls are now routinely vaccinated for HPV, with the UK having among the highest uptake worldwide.
Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Prof Ijeoma Uchegbu, who has been president of Wolfson College at the University of Cambridge since October 2024, becomes a Dame (DBE) for services to chemical sciences and inclusion and diversity in the 2025 New Year Honours.
She said: “I’m absolutely thrilled. I wouldn’t say I’m humbled – I know people say that, but when I saw the letter at the Porters’ Lodge what I felt was an overwhelming sense of gratitude and pride.
“In my wildest dreams I never believed I would get such an award.”
Prof Uchegbu is a renowned expert in the field of pharmaceutical science and was most recently Professor of Pharmaceutical Nanoscience at University College London. Her research has focused on methods that can be used to help drugs reach their target more effectively and reduce the likelihood of uncomfortable side effects.
While at UCL she spearheaded a project to improve outcomes for both staff and students from under-represented ethnic groups. She is a fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and an honorary fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Knights Bachelor
Knighthood
Former Rolls-Royce boss David Arthur Warren East CBE (known as Warren East), 63, received a knighthood for services to the economy and net zero.
Mr East led the jet engine manufacturer between 2015 and 2022, steering it through a turbulent period for the aviation industry during the pandemic.
After obtaining an engineering degree from Oxford University, Mr East spent 30 years in the semiconductor industry first with Texas Instruments then at ARM where he was CEO from 2001 to 2013.
He has served on the boards of engineering and technology companies including BT, Dyson and Micron, and was appointed CEO at Rolls-Royce plc in April 2015 with a mission to modernise, grow capacity, enhance operational gearing, and determine future direction for a net zero world.
Under his leadership, Rolls-Royce achieved record cash flows in 2019 before successfully navigating through the Covid-19 disruption, and going on to break the world speed record for electric flight and demonstrate hydrogen combustion in an aero engine. Mr East left Rolls-Royce at the end of 2022.
Stephen Fry said he is “startled and enchanted” to be awarded a knighthood. The actor, screenwriter and author, who attended the University of Cambridge and was involved in Cambridge Footlights, is being recognised for services to mental health awareness, the environment and to charity.
Sir Stephen, 67, has been president of the charity Mind since 2011 and since 2009 has been vice-president of Cambridge-based conservation charity Fauna and Flora International.
