Professor David Knowles, Professor Luke Georghiou and Professor Gareth Evans have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours 2026 in recognition of their outstanding contributions and service.
The list celebrates individuals who have had an immeasurable impact on the lives of people across the country, such as by creating innovative solutions or driving real change in public life.
Professor David Knowles
Professor David Knowles FREng, CEO of the Henry Royce Institute, has been awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to industry and academia.
His work has focused primarily on the application of advanced materials and engineering research to address major industrial and national challenges across transport, energy, petrochemical and infrastructure sectors.
Responding to the award, Professor Knowles said: “I feel incredibly privileged and proud to have received this honour. It is a recognition not just of my own work, but of everything that the outstanding teams and institutes I’ve been fortunate to be part of have achieved together over many years.
“I would like to acknowledge the contribution of the many colleagues and collaborators I’ve worked alongside across academia, industry and government. Their talent, dedication and shared commitment to innovation have been central to everything we have accomplished.
“Naturally, I owe a great debt of gratitude to my family, past and present, whose encouragement and support have sustained me along the way.”
Professor Luke Georghiou
Professor Luke Georghiou, formerly Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at The University of Manchester, has been awarded an OBE for services to science and innovation. His current role is that of Professor of Science and Technology Policy and Management in the Manchester Institute of Innovation Research in the Alliance Manchester Business School.
A longstanding figure in UK research and innovation policy, Professor Georghiou has played a leading role in shaping national and international approaches to science funding, collaboration and impact. Among his many contributions, he led Manchester’s successful bid to host the Euroscience Forum and secure its designation as European City of Science, and played a key role in the foundation of Northern Gritstone, a £380m venture capital company supporting university spinouts across the North.
Speaking on his award, Professor Georghiou said: “It has been a privilege to support and guide so many hugely talented people and to help develop Manchester’s outstanding innovation ecosystem.”
Professor Gareth Evans
Professor Gareth Evans, Emeritus Professor of Medical Genetics at The University of Manchester and Consultant in Medical Genetics at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, has been awarded an MBE for services to cancer genetics. His work has made a significant contribution to advancing understanding, diagnosis and care in inherited cancer, benefiting patients and families in the UK and beyond.
Professor Evans said: “I’m very honoured to be mentioned in the King’s birthday honours. It’s the culmination of thirty six years of work on inherited cancers and I’m extremely pleased. In particular to have my work on breast and ovarian cancer and the BRCA1/2 genes recognised and my setting of a national highly specialised service for patients with NF2 related schwannomatosis.”
The birthday honours are awarded by the King following recommendations by the prime minister, senior government ministers, or members of the public.
The awards recognise active community champions, innovative social entrepreneurs, pioneering scientists, passionate health workers and dedicated volunteers who have made significant achievements in public life or committed themselves to serving and helping Britain.
