The New Year Honours list for 2021 has been widely welcomed not only as the most diverse list to date, but also for its celebration of the people who went above and beyond in supporting their communities during COVID-19, including librarians, information and data professionals and creative writers.

As might be expected, the list features a strong showing from professionals in healthcare in recognition of the vital role they have played in pandemic response nationally and locally.

Former CILIP Trustee and Past President David Stewart (Head of Library and Knowledge Services: North East and Yorkshire/North West, Health Education England) was recognised with an MBE for services to the NHS and voluntary services to Information Management. David has been a tireless champion of our profession and we congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition

Alongside David, Jacqueline Shears, Programme Director at NHS Digital was recognised with an OBE for her work in driving digital transformation and patient-centred care.

The list featured a number of awards recognising the central role of knowledge, information and data in securing national resilience. Dr Matthew West was awarded an OBE in recognition of his contribution to Information Management in business. Dr West’s work includes providing expertise and advice to the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure.

Also receiving an OBE was Jonathan Bamford, formerly Director of the Information Commissioners Office (ICO), in recognition of his contribution to the UK’s Data Protection legislation.

Richard ‘Ricky’ Sercombe, Data Technologist for food distributors Brakes was awarded an MBE for his services to vulnerable people during the pandemic. In just 9 days, Sercombe developed and deployed a data model which allowed the company to secure food supplies for people who most needed them.

Two other Data Scientists, James Cameron and Rafal Olbert, both working for Asda Supermarkets, were awarded the BEM for their work in targeting food deliveries for vulnerable people in the early days of the pandemic.

Public library services played a well-documented role in helping their communities weather the pandemic, so it is good to see this recognised in the New Year Honours list. Several public library leaders including Mike Clarke, Stella Thebridge and Mark Freeman (also President of Libraries Connected) were awarded MBE for their services to libraries and communities.

Jon Davis, Manager at Dewsbury Library and co-Chair of the CILIP Public and Mobile Libraries Group (PMLG) was awarded the British Empire Medal. Also recognised with a BEM was Terry Bracher, Heritage Services Manager (including Libraries) in Wiltshire and Chair of the CILIP Local Studies Group. Our congratulations to them both on this acknowledgement of the difference they have both made in their work!

Richard Fawcett, Chair of the Friends of Thurston Library also received the BEM for his services to public libraries.

The list also celebrated the contribution of the wider library and information community. Antony Spiro, Joint President of the Wiener Holocaust Memorial Library was awarded an OBE for his services to Holocaust Remembrance. Richard Ashman, a Library Co-ordinator at City College, Southampton received a BEM in recognition of his service to Further Education.

Also receiving the BEM was School Librarian Kim Beck of the Langley School in Solihull. Kim was recognised for the contribution her work has made to education in the West Midlands.

Alongside information professionals, the 2021 New Year Honours list also celebrated the world of writing and literature. Poet Raymond Antrobus received the MBE for his services to literature. Much-loved children’s author and illustrator Anthony Browne was awarded the CBE, also for services to literature.

Also receiving the CBE was the author, poet, editor and academic Bashabi Fraser, a Fellow at the University of Dundee and Honorary Fellow at the University of Edinburgh.

The full 2021 New Year Honours list can be viewed on the GOV.UK website.