Catz alumni recognised in 2022 New Year Honours

St Catherine’s College is pleased to share the news that two of our alumni have been recognised in the 2022 New Year Honours list.

Vivienne Cox (1977, Chemistry) has been appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for services to Sustainability, and to Diversity and Inclusion in Business.

Among other roles, Dame Vivienne is an Independent Non-Executive Director at GlaxoSmithKline, Chair of the Board of the Rosalind Franklin Institute and patron of the St Francis Hospice in Berkhamsted. She has a wide experience of business gained in the energy, natural resources and publishing sectors.

Speaking of her appointment, Dame Vivienne said: ‘The appointment reflects many years of work in renewable energy and on environmental and social issues both in an executive and a non-executive capacity. The citation also mentioned my role as Chair of the Rosalind Franklin Institute, a research institute working at the intersection of life sciences and the physical sciences, linking me back to my Oxford science background.

‘I am thrilled to be recognised in this way, and especially for making a contribution to issues which are very important to me.’

Dame Vivienne is the first Catz alumna to be awarded DBE.

Heather Wood (1975, English) been appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the House of Commons, where she is Registrar of Members’ Interests.

We extend very warm congratulations to both of them.