Recognition for rowers in 2025 New Year’s Honours List
Several Olympic and Paralympic Champions as well as a leading member of the rowing community receive honours from the King
Helen Glover, two-time Olympic Champion, Team GB opening ceremony flag bearer and Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist; Lauren Rowles, three-time Paralympic Champion and the world’s most successful Paralympic rower ever; and two-time Paralympic Champion cox, Erin Kennedy, who is also recognised for her breast cancer awareness work, have all been awarded OBEs (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the King’s New Year’s Honours List.
In addition, seven Olympic and Paralympic Champions have been awarded MBEs (Member of the Order of the British Empire). The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic gold medal winners receiving MBEs are Lauren Henry, Hannah Scott, Lola Anderson, and Georgie Brayshaw from the Women’s quadruple sculls (W4x); Emily Craig and Imogen Grant from the Lightweight Women’s double sculls (LW2x) and Gregg Stevenson from the PR2 Mixed double sculls (PR2 Mix2x).
GB Rowing Team Director of Performance Louise Kingsley said, “A huge congratulations to the athletes who have been awarded OBEs and MBEs in the King’s New Year Honours List. The entire squad produced record breaking results at both the Olympics and Paralympics in the Summer and have continued to drive awareness and interest in the sport since their return home, by inspiring the next generation and giving back to the community with club visits, school visits and charity work. I’m very proud to see so many of them being recognised with Honours and it’s a fitting way to top off a very successful year!”
Long-serving British Rowing Umpire, David Biddulph has also been awarded a BEM (British Empire Medal) for his services to rowing. He first qualified as a national umpire 45 years ago, in 1979, gaining Multi-Lane endorsement in 1992 and FISA (now World Rowing) status in 1995, and umpired the Men’s pair final at London 2012. David has been a prolific volunteer as an umpire on the domestic competition circuit and is also known to many in the rowing community as the creator of one of the earliest rowing information websites, which remains an essential source of competition calendar details, obituaries, and results.
British Rowing CEO Alastair Marks said, “Volunteers like David, whose continued dedication and contribution have had a lasting impact on the sport, are highly valued by the community. It’s truly gratifying to see him receive the recognition he so richly deserves.”
Photos: Benedict Tufnell and Team GB
