Dr Gabriele Finaldi in New Years Honours List 2025

Dr Gabriele Finaldi

Dr Gabriele Finaldi, Catholic director of the National Gallery in London, has received a knighthood for services to Art and Culture the King's 2025 New Year Honours List.

Dr Finaldi said in a statement: "I am profoundly humbled by this honour and would like to express my gratitude for the recognition accorded to me and the whole National Gallery staff's commitment to public service, especially in the Bicentenary year of the institution's founding."

Margaret Yates, former head teacher who is chief executive at All Saints Catholic Collegiate, in Stoke-on-Trent was awarded an OBE for her services to education. The mum-of-three and grandma-of-two, whose husband, Paul, died on 13 October, said the OBE was not expected and she had no idea she was going to receive it.

Another Catholic to be honoured is Sue Gray, Sir Keir Starmer's former chief of staff. She achieved public recognition as investigator of 'partygate', was appointed chief of staff after the election by Starmer but stepped down in September.

Other Christians who were honoured include:

Former Dean of Carlisle, the Very Rev Mark Boyling, was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to Carlisle Cathedral. He was dean of the cathedral for 18 years before retiring in 2022. During his tenure he steered the cathedral through the pandemic and oversaw the development of the multi-million pound Fratry education and events project, as well as celebrations for the cathedral's 900th anniversary that was marked in the same year as his retirement.

John Nixon, Chair of the Cathedral Development Trust, was awarded an MBE for his significant contribution to football and community development across England and Wales.

Roger Evans, chair of Friends of Friendless Churches, a charity that rescues and repairs disused churches, was made an MBE for services to ecclesiastical heritage in England and Wales.

Rev Andrew Paget, Senior Force Chaplain for Avon and Somerset Police was appointed an MBE for services to policing and to the community in Avon and Somerset. In 2024 he marked 28 years as a force chaplain with Avon and Somerset Police and more than 22 years as lead chaplain.

Michael Harris, organist at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh since 1996, received an MBE for services to music. He said it was "humbling" to be recognised in this year's list.

Rev Stephen Redman, a volunteer with cancer charity Candlelighters, was awarded an MBE for services to the families of children with cancer.

Jonathan Compton, Chaplaincy Volunteer at HM Prison Morton Hall has been awarded an MBE for services to HM Prison and Probation Service. (Lincoln, Lincolnshire)

Veronica Mary Compton, Chaplaincy Volunteer at HM Prison Morton Hall received an MBE for services to HM Prison and Probation Service.

The Reverend Neil Norman Gardner, Domestic Chaplain to The King in Scotland and Parish Minister, Canongate Kirk. Edinburgh was awarded an LVO

The Reverend Canon Dr Edmund John Newell. lately Chief Executive, Cumberland Lodge was awarded an LVO

The Reverend Ann Elizabeth Hitchiner. Chaplain to the Forces received a(Third Class) OBE

The Reverend Dr Kenneth Victor John Hopkins, Chair of Trustees, Heart of Mercia Multi Academy Trust, Hereford, received an MBE for services to Education.

The Very Reverend Mark Christopher Boyling, received an MBE ror services to Carlisle Cathedral and to the community in Cumbria.