The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organizations, and public service outside the civil service. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two of which make the recipient either a knight if male or a dame if female. There is also the related British Empire Medal, whose recipients are affiliated with, but not members of, the order.
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince of Wales, while he was acting as prince regent for his father, King George III. It is named in honour of two military saints, Michael and George.
Lilian Pauline Neville-Jones, Baroness Neville-Jones is a British politician and former civil servant who served as Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) from 1993 to 1994. A member of the Conservative Party, she served on the National Security Council and was Minister of State for Security and Counter Terrorism at the Home Office from 2010 to 2011.
Dame Nicola Mary Brewer is a former British diplomat and university administrator. From 2014 to 2020, she was Vice-Provost (International) at University College London, she was British High Commissioner to South Africa from 2009 to 2013, and the first Chief Executive of Britain's Equality and Human Rights Commission from 2007 to 2009.
Dame Maeve Geraldine FortDCMG DCVO was a British diplomat. During her posting as the United Kingdom's High Commissioner in South Africa from 1996 to 2000, she was the highest ranking female diplomat in Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service.
Dame Shan Elizabeth Morgan is a former British civil servant. Formerly the Deputy Permanent Representative, UK Representation to the European Union, she was the Permanent Secretary to the Welsh Government until October 2021.
Dame Karen Elizabeth Pierce, Lady Roxburgh,, is a British diplomat who is currently British Ambassador to the United States at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and was previously the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations.
Dame Barbara Logan Hay is a British diplomat who served as Consul-General in Los Angeles from July 2009 to August 2013.
Dame Anne Warburton was a British diplomat who was the first female British ambassador. She served as British Ambassador to Denmark from 1976 to 1983 and British Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva from 1983 to 1985. Having retired from her diplomatic career, she was President of Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge University from 1985 to 1994.
Dame Alison Mariot Leslie,, known as Mariot Leslie, is a former British diplomat whose last post was Permanent Representative to NATO. When she was replaced at NATO it was announced that she would retire from the Diplomatic Service.
Dame Judith Anne Macgregor is a British diplomat who was High Commissioner to South Africa from 2013 to 2017. She previously served as Ambassador to Slovakia from 2004 to 2007, and Ambassador to Mexico from 2009 to 2013.
Catherine Nettleton is a British diplomat who has been ambassador to Peru, ambassador to Venezuela, and UK Representative in Taiwan.
British Office Taipei, formerly British Trade and Cultural Office (BTCO), is the representative office of the United Kingdom Government in Taiwan with a principal role to promote the British trade and investment interests. It functions as a de facto embassy in the absence of diplomatic relations between London and Taipei.
The Honours Committee is a committee within the Cabinet Office of the Government of the United Kingdom formed to review nominations for national honours for merit, exceptional achievement or service. Twice yearly the Honours Committee submits formal recommendations for the British monarch's New Years and Birthday Honours. Members of the Honours Committee—which comprises a main committee and nine subcommittees in speciality areas—research and vet nominations for national awards, including knighthoods and the Order of the British Empire.
Dame Menna Frances Rawlings is a British diplomat serving as British Ambassador to France since 2021. Previously British High Commissioner to Australia from 2015 to 2019, she then served as Director General of Economic and Global Issues at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office from 2019 to 2020.
Sir Alan Stanley Collins, KCVO, CMG, is a retired British diplomat and former Consul General in New York City (2007–11), High Commissioner to Singapore (2003–07) and Ambassador to the Philippines (1998–2002).
Dame Sarah MacIntosh is a British diplomat who is the Deputy National Security Adviser for International Affairs. She previously served as High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Ambassador to Liberia and British Ambassador to NATO from 2017 to 2022.
Dame Caroline Elizabeth Wilson is a British diplomat and lawyer who assumed office as the British Ambassador to China in September 2020.
Dame Deborah Jane Bronnert is a British diplomat, who served as British Ambassador to Russia from 2020 to 2023.
Dame Melinda Veronica Simmons is a British diplomat who served as the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Ukraine from 2019 to 2023.
