Former Acevo boss Vicky Browning is among dozens of charity sector figures recognised in the 2023 New Year Honours list.
Browning, who led the umbrella body for charity chief executives between 2017 and 2022, was made an OBE and said she was “chuffed” to be recognised.
Ian Green, the outgoing chief executive of the Terrence Higgins Trust, was also made an OBE in recognition of his work for charities and on public health.
Green, who announced in September that he was leaving Terrence Higgins after five years in charge, said: “Later this year I will step down from my role at Terrence Higgins Trust and this honour has made me realise how much has been achieved.
“I would like to thank and share this with everyone who I have worked closely with over the years as we look ahead at all that’s still to do.”
Catherine Spencer, chief executive of the Seafarers Charity, said she was “honoured” after also being made an OBE.
Charles and Liz Richie, who established the charity Gambling With Lives in 2018 to support families affected by gambling addiction, were made MBEs. Their son Jack took his own life after becoming addicted to gambling machines while at school.
Charles Ritchie said: “This award is a recognition of the hard work of many people, including many bereaved families, who have fought to reform gambling in the UK for so long, including for years before we became involved in this issue.”
Rock guitarist and animal rights campaigner Brian May, who started the Save Me Trust charity in 2010 and is vice-president of the RSPCA, was knighted for services to charities as well as music.
Sir Brian told the BBC that the award was “a kind of licence, a kind of commission to carry on what I am doing and it gives me a bit more power to my elbow”.
Record producer Robin Miller, chair of the disability charity Scope, was also knighted, and said he welcomed “the opportunity it brings to raise more attention about the need for disability equality”.
Virginia McKenna, actress and founder of the Born Free Foundation, was made a dame, and dedicated the award to “all those striving to end wild animal suffering”.
Linda Rosenblatt, vice-chair of Jewish World Relief, was made an MBE in recognition of more than 30 years’ work for the charity, including two spells on its trustee board.
Jonathan Welfare, who founded the anti-poverty charity Turn2Us, was made an OBE, as was Jonathan Bell, chief executive of the Royal Marines Charity.
Businessman James Reed, who chairs the board of trustees at the charity Big Give, was made a CBE, while Benjamin Lindsay, chief executive of youth charity Power the Fight, was made an OBE.
Jasvir Singh, founding chair of the education and equality charity City Sikhs, was appointed a CBE. Singh said he was “incredibly humbled” by the honour, adding: “Britain is a very different place to what it was when my grandfather moved here almost 60 years ago and our nation has become a beacon for diversity and intersectionality across the globe.”
Sue May, founder of the Jersey Brain Tumour Charity, was made an MBE for services to her community while musician John Caulcutt, who has raised millions of pounds for health and development charities including the Ellen Macarthur Cancer Trust and ShelterBox, was made an OBE.
A medal of the Order of the British Empire was given to Ian Swinney, a National Trust ranger retiring after 50 years working for the charity.