Susan Dawson, commercial director for schools commercial and operations at the Department for Education, was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Nearly 60 people were singled out for their impact on the education sector in the 2025 New Year’s Honours List.

Among those were several people involved in the maintenance and delivery of the estate.

As the list was announced, the Department for Education paid special tribute to Timothy ‘Beech’ Williamson OBE, who tragically died shortly after finding out about his nomination.

Beech, an architect in the department’s Design, Operations and Infrastructure group, was known to those in the wider education building world for his forensic knowledge and early adoption of technology in design.

He joined the department in 1986 as an architectural assistant and was instrumental in cross-government work around standardisation, modern methods of construction, and net zero carbon.

More recently, he worked to get better outdoor spaces on school sites and improve the standard of building provision to benefit children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

A devoted father and husband, Beech died over the festive period after a period of illness.

Other recipients included Professor Bashir Mohammed, vice-president of research and innovation at King’s College London, who received a knighthood for services to engineering and education; and Susan Dawson, commercial director for schools commercial and operations at the Department for Education, was made an officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

Dawson said: “I would never have imaged when I joined the civil service as an admin assistant exactly 35 years ago today that I would be given this recognition.

“This means more than words can express, but I could not have achieved this without the support of my colleagues, family, and friends throughout my career.

“I am incredibly proud of the work we do in the civil service and in particular the positive impact we make in Department for Education and across the Government commercial function.

“As a proud Yorkshire woman, I have been privileged to progress my career in the region, and I hope that this recognition inspires others to believe they can do the same.”

Honours were also handed out to facilities staff, with Sarah Kelly, unit catering supervisor for the Northern Ireland Education Authority; and Ann Rooke, cleaning supervisor at Castle Douglas High School in Dumfries and Galloway, being made a medallist of the Order of the British Empire.