Members of the University of Leeds community are among those recognised in the New Year Honours.
One of the UK’s foremost climate scientists Professor Piers Forster has been awarded a CBE for his ongoing work to tackle climate change.
Professor Forster, who has worked at the University of Leeds since 2005, is a Professor of Physical Climate Change, Director of the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures and academic lead for the University's own Climate Plan.
Alongside his research career, he helped to establish the United Bank of Carbon – a UK charity that researches and protects trees and forests. He also has several roles advising industry and government and was appointed a member of the UK Climate Change Committee in 2019, holding the position of Interim Chair from 2023 until July 2025.
Professor Forster has contributed to the writing of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports and leads Indicators of Global Climate Change, which provides annual updates on the state of the climate and how it is changing because of human activity.
Closer to home, Professor Forster is patron of climate action charity Zero Carbon Harrogate and a long-time supporter of Long Lands Common – Harrogate and Knaresborough’s first ever community-owned woodlands project. A section of its woodland has been named after Professor Forster in recognition of his outstanding work in the field of climate change research, environmental education and leadership.
“I feel very humbled to have received this award,” Professor Forster said about his CBE. “I’ve spent my career collecting evidence on the benefits of climate action and along the way I’ve been lucky enough to work with some great colleagues on climate research and climate policy.
“I love my work, and I feel privileged to do it. As we mark the end of another year of record-breaking UK temperatures, it feels more important than ever.”
Professor Brian Ferguson
Professor Brian Ferguson, the founding Professor of Health Economics at the University of Leeds, has been honoured with an MBE for services to public health research and his work with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
Professor Ferguson has worked across academia, the NHS and Civil Service in a 40-year career in the health field.
In 2020 Professor Ferguson was appointed as the new NIHR Public Health Research Programme Director and undertook this role until July 2025.
He is currently Public Health Strategic Advisor to NIHR, whose mission is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research.
Professor Ferguson was previously Deputy Director in the Centre for Health Economics at the University of York, and since 2013 has also been Chief Economist and Deputy Director of Strategy at Public Health England.
Inspirational colleagues
Professor Shearer West CBE, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Leeds, said: “Universities continue to make enormous contributions to society, innovating to tackle poverty, climate change and improve health outcomes, alongside the significant economic, cultural and community impact they make in the cities and regions that we call home.
“I am so pleased that this contribution has been recognised with New Year Honours awarded to colleagues, alumni and partners of the University of Leeds. They are an inspiration to us all, and a reminder of the incredible talent nurtured by universities across the country.”
Further Information
Image of Professor Brian Ferguson copyright of the Association of Public Health Observatories.
For further details, please contact the University of Leeds press office via pressoffice@leeds.ac.uk.