Professor Sir Andrew Morris PMedSci, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, has been awarded a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours 2026 for services to medical sciences, public health and patient care.
He is one of eight Fellows of the Academy recognised this year. Three women Fellows have been appointed Dame, three further Fellows have been made Commanders of the Order of the British Empire, and one has been appointed an Officer.
Academy President Professor Sir Andrew is the inaugural Director of Health Data Research UK and Vice-Principal at the University of Edinburgh. His career has focused on making health data work harder for patients, from dementia and cardiovascular disease to health inequalities. He chaired the Scottish Government Chief Medical Officer’s COVID-19 Advisory Group and served as a member of SAGE, and he now chairs the Scottish Government’s Standing Committee on Pandemic Preparedness. He was elected President of the Academy in 2024.
Three Fellows appointed Dame
Fellows who have been appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire:
- Professor Dame Carol Brayne CBE FMedSci, for services to medicine, medical research and public health. She is internationally recognised for her studies of dementia and the ageing brain.
- Professor Dame Melanie Davies CBE FMedSci, for services to global diabetes research, policy and care management. Her work has helped to reshape how type 2 diabetes is prevented and treated worldwide.
- Professor Dame Sheila Bird OBE FMedSci FRSE, for services to statistics. A leading biostatistician, her work has shaped public health policy from variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease to drug-related deaths and prisoner health.
Three Fellows appointed CBE
Fellows who have been appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire:
- Professor Simon Hollingsworth CBE FMedSci, for services to biomedical research and medicine development.
- Dr David Rees CBE FMedSci, for services to chemistry and innovation.
- Professor Sarah Tabrizi CBE FMedSci FRS, for services to people with Huntington’s Disease.
One Fellow appointed OBE
Professor Ann John OBE FMedSci, has been appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to suicide prevention and to digital innovation. Her research has helped to shape how suicide and self-harm are monitored and prevented, including the safer use of online and digital data.
Professor Sir Andrew Morris CBE FRSE PMedSci said: “I am truly honoured to receive this knighthood and deeply grateful for this recognition. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work alongside so many remarkable colleagues, patients, researchers, clinicians, policymakers and partners in industry across Scotland, the UK and around the world. This honour reflects their talent, generosity and commitment every bit as much as my own.
“I have long believed in the extraordinary strength of medical science in the UK, and in the importance of bringing research and patient care ever closer together. When we do that well, we can make a real and lasting difference to patients’ lives, to the public good and to the wider economy.
“I owe a great deal to the support, skill and encouragement of others, and I am sincerely thankful to everyone who has been part of that journey.”
Visit the UK Government website for the complete King’s Birthday Honours 2026 Lists.