6 Newcastle University alumni celebrated in 2026 New Year Honours List
Congratulations are in order as six graduates from our alumni community have been recognised by King Charles III in his annual New Year Honours. We’re so proud of you!
12 January 2026
2026 has started strong for our alumni community as we celebrate six members being named in the King’s New Year Honours list. Read on to meet our esteemed graduates.
David Dickson OBE (BA Hons Economic Studies, 1976)
North East born David joined KPMG upon graduating from Newcastle University in 1976, remaining there for 13 years as a chartered accountant, before progressing to become Managing Partner at Garbutt and Elliott LLP.
Alongside his finance career, David has held a number of voluntary roles in the local community, highlighting his commitment to the development of the North as a business hub. For example, he was a Board Member for Science City York for over a decade, Treasurer for the University of York from 2007 – 2019 and was a member of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund advisory board until February 2024.
He has also been an avid supporter of St Leonard’s Hospice, which offers palliative and end-of-life care in York and across North Yorkshire, sitting on the charity board since 2015 and presently acting as Chair of the Board, as well as volunteering at York Rugby League FC and working with local schools to develop breakfast clubs.
Described as a leading figure in York’s business community, David has been awarded an OBE for Services to Business and to Charitable Causes.
Karen Ratcliffe MBE (Certificate in Further Professional Studies in Education, 1997)
Karen Ratcliffe began her teaching career in South Shields in 1988 and remained at Harton Primary School for the next 36 years. In that time, she progressed to Headteacher, pursued further study at Newcastle University, and was instrumental in the amalgamation of the local infants and junior schools in 2010.
In the 2026 New Year Honours list, Karen has been made an MBE for Services to Education.
Paul Rickeard OBE (PGCE, 2002)
Paul Rickeard, CEO at the Durham and Newcastle Diocesan Learning Trust, has been made an OBE for Services to Education.
Paul has worked in education for almost 24 years, having studied for his teaching qualification on campus in the early 2000s. Today, he is CEO of a Trust spanning eight Local Authorities, over 20 schools and 4,000 primary schoolchildren.
Prior to this appointment in 2023, Paul was Diocesan Director of Education for the Dioceses of Durham and Newcastle. He also currently sits on the CEO Advisory Group to the Department of Education.
Enver Solomon OBE (BA Hons Politics and East Asian Studies, 1993)
Class of 1993 graduate Enver Solomon holds a wealth of experience in the charitable sector, including senior roles at the National Children’s Bureau, Barnardo’s and Prison Reform Trust. Most recently, Enver has led the Refugee Council as its Chief Executive and was named Charity CEO of the Year at the Charity Times Awards in 2023.
Prior to working in the voluntary sector, Enver was a BBC journalist for ten years. He also served for five years as Chair of Trustees at the charity Asylum Aid and was a founding trustee of the charity British Future.
In the 2026 New Year Honours list, Enver was awarded an OBE for Services to Refugee Resettlement.
Alice Wiseman (BA Hons Social Policy, 2000)
Social Policy graduate Alice Wiseman has been awarded an MBE in recognition of her proactive and pragmatic leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and her commitment to improving health and wellbeing for local communities.
Today, Alice is Newcastle and Gateshead’s director of public health, having previously held the role in Gateshead Council during the pandemic. During her time as Gateshead’s Director of Public Health, she was successful in securing Sir Michael Marmot's involvement in Gateshead's health and wellbeing strategy, utilising planning law to reduce the number of fast-food outlets and informing the 10-year drugs strategy "From Harm to Hope".
Congratulations all!
Is someone missing?
We’re thrilled to celebrate the achievements of our alumni community, but often rely on the information we have available on our alumni database. If you or someone you know was recently recognised in the King’s New Year Honours and isn’t mentioned above, please let us know so we can shout about you from the rooftops!