Seven New Year Honours for Leeds Beckett University

The University is congratulating six alumni and a current member of staff who have been recognised in the New Year Honours


Leeds Beckett University has announced six of their alumni and a current member of staff have been recognised in the New Year Honours.

The achievements of the recipients include the fields of sport, finance, community, higher education and inclusion.

Ed Anderson – CBE

Ed graduated in 1972 with a BSc in Economics and has been awarded a CBE for services to the financial sector and public life in Yorkshire. Ed is the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire.

Kadeena Cox MBE – OBE

Kadeena Cox graduated in 2013 with a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science. She has been awarded an OBE for services to athletics and cycling. Kadeena entered Paralympic athletics in 2015 after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the university for her global sporting excelling. She won two gold medals at Tokyo 2020.

Jo Norry – MBE

The current Director of Library and Student Services at Leeds Beckett has been awarded an MBE for services to higher education and social inclusion. Jo’s services have included bringing together libraries, student IT support, student money and student advice. Jo has been at Leeds Beckett since 2000 and a governor for the university since 2018.

Jonathan Brownlee – MBE

Jonathan Brownlee was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the university in 2019 and has been awarded an MBE for services to triathlon. He won bronze in the Olympic triathlon in 2012, silver in the Olympic triathlon in 2016 and gold in the triathlon relay at Tokyo 2020. Since their Olympic successes, the Brownlee brothers have remained based in Leeds, coached by Ian Mitchell from Leeds Beckett.

Jamie Jones-Buchanan – MBE

Jamie graduated in 2008 with a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science and has been awarded an MBE for services to rugby league and the community in Leeds. He enjoyed a successful career playing for Leeds Rhinos winning seven grand finals, a challenge cup, three world club challenges and three league leaders shields in over 400 appearances.

Georgia Taylor-Brown – MBE

Georgia graduated in 2015 with a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science and has been awarded an MBE for services to triathlon. She won gold in the mixed relay and silver in the triathlon at Tokyo 2020.

Alex Yee – MBE

Alex graduated in 2021 with a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science has been awarded an MBE for services to triathlon. Alex won gold in the mixed relay and silver in the triathlon at Tokyo 2020.

A warm response

Professor Peter Slee, Vice Chancellor of Leeds Beckett University responded: “We are very proud of the achievements of our Leeds Beckett University alumni and of our colleague, Jo Norry. We extend our congratulations to all those who have been honoured.

“Our alumni are part of a community of 190,000 Leeds Beckett University graduates spanning 149 different countries. Our 2,700 staff support 22,000 students every year and help generate an annual return of £1.4 billion to the UK economy.”

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