THE VICE-CHANCELLOR of the University of Reading has been awarded a CBE in the New Year’s Honours list for 2024, one of many to receive honours.
Professor Robert Van de Noort has thanked Reading students, colleagues and regional partners after being given the honour by the king. It was presented not just for his university role but for services to science, flood risk management and sustainability.
Another professor, Valerie Lund, has been awarded the rank of Dame Commander. The Berkshire-based scientist is emeritus professor in rhinology at the University College in London.
OBEs will be presented to James Ainscough, chief executive officer of Help Musicians, Natasha Grant, deputy director of the cabinet office, Madeleline Hinch for services to hockey. All three live in Berkshire.
An MBE has been awarded to Jannella Baker training officer at Berkshire Search and Rescue Dogs, Lowland Rescue, and also Miriam Luke, who is the president of Henley Rowing Club and chair of Henley’s Women’s Regatta.
BEMs are awarded to the Revd Christine Blackman from St Luke’s Church in Erleigh Road, Reading, and former Charvil Parish Council chairman Jim Gillett. Both received their honours for services to the community.
Professor Van de Noort has had a stunning academic career as an archaeologist focused on maritime, coastal and wetland landscapes.
He explored how past societies were affected by, and adapted to, changing climates over the last 10,000 years, and what this tells us about our own lives at a time of rapid climate change.
He was appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Reading in 2014, Acting Vice-Chancellor in 2018 and then Vice-Chancellor in 2019.
He said: “I am surprised and thrilled to be appointed CBE. My work has always been collaborative and involved teams of people, working together for a common goal.
“Colleagues and students across every discipline at the University have enthusiastically embraced the mission to put environmental sustainability at the heart of everything we do. Thanks to their efforts, Reading is now rightly recognised as the greenest university in the UK.”
As well as his academic career, Professor Van de Noort has had an active role in flood risk management, uniquely chairing two different Regional Flood and Coastal Committees over the last decade: the one for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly between 2013 and 2017 and the one for the Thames since 2017.
He said: “I am honoured that my work on flood risk management has been recognised, working with communities across London and the Thames Valley, alongside government departments and the Environment Agency, to protect communities better from the devasting impact of flooding.
“The risk of flooding in this region, and across the world, will grow if humans continue to damage the balance of nature. We can only respond to the many crises facing us by changing how we live our lives, and by treating the natural world with greater respect.”
The award of CBE – Commander of the Order of the British Empire – is the highest level of recognition below that of a dame or knighthood and is awarded to individuals who have achieved prominent roles at national level, leading roles at regional level, or for distinguished, innovative contributions in any area of public life.
