King’s 2025 New Year Honours: Celebrating Scotland’s Finest – Scottish Business News

The King’s 2025 New Year Honours list has been unveiled, recognising the outstanding achievements and contributions of Scots across various fields. Scottish Secretary Ian Murray expressed his heartfelt congratulations to all the honourees, highlighting their significant impact on the nation.

Ken McCallum, the Glasgow-born head of MI5, has been awarded a Knighthood for his exceptional service in safeguarding the country during challenging times

His dedication to national security has earned him this prestigious recognition.In the realm of arts and media, Barbara Rae, a renowned painter and printmaker, has been bestowed with a Damehood, while broadcasting icon Jackie Bird has received an MBE.

The sporting world has not been overlooked in this year’s honours:

• David Moyes and Alan Hansen, football legends, have been honoured for their significant contributions to the sport.
• Duncan Scott, Britain’s most decorated Olympic swimmer, has been recognised for his remarkable achievements in the pool.
• Paralympic athletes Stephen Clegg (swimming) and Nathan MacQueen (archery) have also been acknowledged for their sporting excellence.

The honours list also celebrates numerous unsung heroes working tirelessly to improve their communities. Whilst it’s impossible to mention all, two standout individuals have been highlighted:

• Sascha Macleod of the BIG Project in Edinburgh
• Natasha Gilmour from the Extra Help Unit at Citizens Advice Scotland

Both have been recognised for their exceptional efforts in tackling poverty and disadvantage.

This year’s list reflects the breadth of Scottish talent and dedication across various sectors. From national security to the arts, from sports to community service, the honourees represent the best of Scotland’s contributions to society.

In his statement, Scottish Secretary Ian Murray emphasised the significance of these awards, saying, “To all of the Scottish Honours recipients I say – congratulations, and thank you for all that you do.”

The 2025 New Year Honours serve as a testament to the remarkable individuals who continue to shape and enhance Scotland’s reputation on both national and international stages.