The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) has paid tribute to chemists recognised in the King’s 2025 birthday honours for their contributions to both chemistry and inclusion and diversity.
Rachel O’Reilly, chair in chemistry within the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Birmingham, was awarded a Member of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to chemistry. O’Reilly has published over 225 research papers, including reviews and book chapters, in the fields of polymer synthesis, self-assembly, catalysis and DNA nanotechnology. She was recognised as one of the RSC’s 175 faces of chemistry to mark its 175th anniversary, back in 2016.
Kevin Coutinho, chair of trustees for Windsor Fellowship, a race equality and diversity charity that promotes education, citizenship and employability, was also awarded an MBE for his work in equality, diversity and inclusion. Coutinho is also a member of council for the British Science Association and a member of the diversity and inclusion committee of the RSC.
In a post published on LinkedIn on 16 June, the RSC said it would like to ‘pay special tribute’ to both O’Reilly and Coutinho for their work on the RSC inclusion and diversity committee and support for many RSC initiatives over a number of years. ‘It has been both a pleasure and a privilege to work with [Coutinho] over the past four years as a valued member of our RSC inclusion and diversity committee,’ said Ale Palermo, head of global inclusion at the RSC. ‘[His] unwavering dedication and impactful contributions to advancing equity, inclusion and diversity in the chemical sciences has left a lasting legacy.’
She added her congratulations to O’Reilly, saying: ‘I have known Rachel for many years and have always been deeply impressed by her unwavering commitment to chemistry research and education, as reflected in the numerous international awards and impressive research funding she has received.’
Also recognised in the birthday honours was Stephen Foots, chief executive officer of British speciality chemicals company, Croda, who was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the chemical and life sciences industry. Foots has also supported a number of RSC initiatives during his career.
Vernon Gibson, a materials scientist at Imperial College London was awarded a knighthood for his services to science and defence. Gibson was chief scientific adviser to the Ministry of Defence between 2012–2016 and chief chemist at BP from 2004–2008.
Julie Fitzpatrick, current chief scientific adviser to the Scottish government, was also appointed a CBE for her services to science. Fitzpatrick, who originally qualified as a veterinary surgeon, was awarded an Order of the British Empire for services to livestock research back in 2014.
And finally, Labour MP Chi Onwurah received a damehood for political and public service. Onwurah has spent many years championing Stem, education and inclusion and diversity, from her roles as shadow science minister to chair of the House of Commons science, technology and innovation select committee.
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