New Year Honours celebrate the chemical sciences community
Royal Society of Chemistry CEO, Dr Helen Pain, who receives an MBE, is amongst members of the chemical sciences community recognised in His Majesty King Charles III's 2024 New Year's Honours.
Professor Gill Reid, president of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said: "From a personal perspective, I have been privileged to work closely with Helen over many years, and most recently in her role as Chief Executive of the RSC throughout my presidency. I am absolutely thrilled that she is being honoured in this way in recognition of her work across science.
"Her influence through the technicians’ commitment, the Science Council and, of course, in leading the Royal Society of Chemistry, have been unwavering to ensure that the vital contributions of everyone in the science community are recognised, and therefore that the science itself can have the greatest possible benefits to society."
Dr Helen Pain added: "I am immensely proud to be honoured and recognised for my services to science. I have been privileged to work with so many outstanding individuals and talented teams who share my passion and commitment to the science profession.
"In accepting this honour, I want to thank everyone who has worked with me on behalf of the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Science Council and the Technician Commitment."
Dr Ale Palermo, RSC Head of Global Inclusion, congratulated Dr Simon Grant MBE, Director of Thomas Swan Ltd and former member of the Royal Society of Chemistry Inclusion and Diversity Committee, saying: "Simon is an outstanding Black British chemist, proudly from the north of England. He has overcome barriers and bias to hold senior positions with the chemical manufacturing industry and is a role model for young Black chemists, a group under-represented within science. I am so pleased to see Simon's honour, recognising his passion for improving diversity within the Chemical Sciences."
Honours list 2024
OBE
Professor Gavin W HALBERT CChem MRSC Director, Cancer Research UK Formulation Unit, University of Strathclyde, for services to Cancer Treatment and Research.
Professor Richard Hilary TEMPLER FRSC, lately Director of Innovation, Grantham Institute, Imperial College London. For services to Climate Innovation.
Jane TOOGOOD FRSC, Co-Chair, Hydrogen Delivery Council, for services to the Low Carbon Hydrogen Sector.
MBE
Dr Helen Mary ABRAHAMS (Helen Pain) CSci CChem FRSC, Chief Executive, Royal Society of Chemistry and lately Chair, Board of Trustees, Science Council. For services to Science.
Dr Michael Patrick COLLINS MRSC, lately Science Lead on EU and International Science Partnerships, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. For services to International Science Policy.
Dr Simon Jonathon GRANT CChem FRSC, Technical Director, Thomas Swan. For services to Diversity in the Chemical Industry.
CBE
Professor Andrew Lee HOPKINS FRSC FMedSci FRSE FRS, Chief Executive Officer, Exscientia Ltd. For services to Science and to Innovation
DBE
Professor Molly Morag STEVENS FRSC FREng FRS, John Black Professor of Bionanoscience, University of Oxford and Professor, Imperial College London. For services to Medicine.