Congratulating New Year Honours 2026 recipients

The University wishes to congratulate the following recipients:

Dr Andrea Cullen and Lorna Armitage

The co-founders of CAPSLOCK, a company which provides cyber security training, have each been appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to cyber security.

Both Dr Cullen, pictured above, and Lorna, pictured below, have strong links to the University of Bradford, with both previously working as lecturers in Computer Science.

Dr Cullen spent 16 years at the University of Bradford, initially as a BSc Computing with Management student from 2000, then studying for a PhD Operations and Supply Chain Management in 2004 before becoming a staff member.

Lorna also worked as Programme Leader for BSc Computer Science for Cyber Security.

Dan Bates and Shanaz Gulzar

Two of the people responsible for the delivery of the Bradford 2025 City of Culture celebrations have each received an MBE for services to culture in Bradford.

Dan, pictured above far left, Bradford 2025’s Executive Director, and Shanaz, the organisation’s Creative Director, helped to deliver the year-long celebrations.

This included a strategic partnership between Bradford 2025 and the University throughout last year’s celebrations. As part of the partnership, the University held a host of events to mark Bradford 2025 which included Stories from Valley Parade in June and Festival of the Dead in October 2025.

Jo Quinton-Tulloch

The Director of Bradford-based National Science and Media Museum, pictured above, has been named Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the arts.

Jo, who has an almost 30-year career in museums, moved to Bradford’s then-named National Media Museum in 2013. Since then, her focus has been to forge partnerships across the city, including with the University of Bradford, positioning the museum – part of the Science Museum Group – as a centre of excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning.

She was named as an Honorary Doctor of the University of Bradford in July 2024, given ‘In recognition of demonstrating significant impact on the City and beyond, and contribution to STEM in partnership with the University.’

She is also a member of the University of Bradford’s Council.

Sir John Robins

The Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, pictured above, has been awarded a knighthood for services to policing.

Sir John was made Doctor of the University of Bradford in December 2024 recognition of his significant impact and contribution to the District of Bradford and West Yorkshire.

He was appointed as the Superintendent in charge of Operational Policing in Bradford in 2003. His other roles in West Yorkshire Police have included as Chief Superintendent overseeing all criminal justice matters, becoming District Commander of Kirklees in 2008.

He was initially named Temporary Deputy Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, a role which became permanent in 2017, and, two years later, Sir John became Chief Constable for West Yorkshire Police, and Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire in 2022.

Honours for alumni 

Other former University of Bradford students awarded honours are Robert Deeks, Chief Executive of youth-led charity, Together As One, who studied BA Peace Studies at Bradford in 2001, appointed MBE for services to young people and to the community in Slough, Berkshire.

Rukshana Kapasi, Director of Health, Barnardo's, who studied MSc Race Relations and Community Studies at Bradford in 1990, is made an OBE for services to transforming care, to health equity and to the patient voice.

Kambiz Ramzan Ali, who studied Biomedical Sciences in 2007, is awarded an MBE for services to taekwondo and the community in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

Rev Paula Bee, Chief Executive, Age UK Wakefield District and Chair, Age England Association, an Associate Students undergraduate, Certificate of Higher Education, 2006 at Bradford, receives an MBE for services to older people.