Eighty-four people have received awards for their exceptional service to the UK overseas or internationally in His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours List, including for contributions to British foreign policy and international development, as well as voluntary and charitable work.
Bill Browder, Chief Executive Officer of Hermitage Capital Management, and Head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign is appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in recognition of his significant and sustained contribution to human rights and anti-corruption. Following the mistreatment and death of Mr Browder’s colleague, Sergei Magnitsky, in Russia in 2009, Mr Browder campaigned for the US Congress to introduce the Magnitsky Act, which allowed them to impose sanctions on Russians involved in human rights violations. Thanks to his work, the EU, the UK, Canada and Australia all have similar legislation that allows them to impose targeted sanctions on individuals and entities involved in serious corruption or human rights violations or abuses.
Also recognised with knighthoods are 2 significant figures who have made major long-term contributions in the field of international development. Dr Andrew Steer, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bezos Earth Fund, has been recognised for his leadership in sustainable development, spanning decades of service to the UK and internationally in multiple senior roles including with the World Bank and the World Resources Institute. Keith Palmer, the founder of AgDevCo, is recognised for his work on economic development in the poorest parts of the world, but particularly in Africa over a number of years.
Further information about recipients receiving knighthood level awards on the Overseas and International List can be found alongside the lists published on GOV.UK.
Sir Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Head of the Diplomatic Service, said:
At a time of intense global challenge, I am as ever deeply impressed by the exceptional work being done by individuals around the world.
I congratulate the recipients of His Majesty’s Birthday Honours this year and thank them for their dedication and service. They are a shining example of the impact the UK can have internationally.
The International and Overseas Birthday Honours list also recognises several other contributions