New Year Honours 2026 for Guy’s and St Thomas’ staff

Two Guy’s and St Thomas’ staff members have been recognised in the King’s New Year Honours 2026.

Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive of Guy’s and St Thomas’, was made Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in recognition of her service to the NHS since starting her career in 1997 and including her service as Chief Executive of NHS England.

Lorenzo Garagnani, consultant orthopaedic hand and wrist surgeon at Guy's and St Thomas', was made Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). This is for his service to children with hand and upper limb differences.

Amanda Pritchard was the first woman to be Chief Executive of the NHS. She was appointed to the position in August 2021 and led the health service through challenging times both during the Covid pandemic and as the NHS recovered. She stepped down in March 2025 and took up the role of Chief Executive of Guy’s and St Thomas’ in September.

Amanda had previously served as Chief Executive of Guy’s and St Thomas’, leaving in 2019 for the post of Chief Executive of NHS Improvement and Chief Operating Officer of NHS England.

Amanda Pritchard said:

“I am deeply honoured to receive this award, which reflects the extraordinary achievements of so many people across the NHS past and present. The health service cares for over 1.7m people every day, with dedicated staff going above and beyond, time and again, for patients and their families.

“Their commitment was never clearer than during the Covid pandemic, including the NHS’s world-leading vaccine rollout.  It was an enormous privilege to lead the NHS in England through what was undoubtedly the greatest challenge in the health service’s history.

“Staff have continued to show the same commitment and passion to recover services, innovate and transform care for the future. I am delighted to be back now on the front line of the NHS, continuing to play my part alongside extraordinary colleagues across the health service and beyond who are committed to providing high quality healthcare for all, now and for future generations.”

“This honour belongs to them all.”

Lorenzo Garagnani has worked at the Trust for 10 years as a specialist hand and wrist surgeon.

His work has included surgical services and research, with the development of less invasive surgical techniques, but also volunteering work and has contributed to establishing the UK’s first clinical genetics hand surgery and therapies outpatient clinic at Guy’s and St Thomas’.

This is a highly specialised service for people affected by hand and upper limb differences from before birth, through childhood and adult life. In one clinic, patients can be assessed by different specialists, providing improved communication, an integrated assessment and a reduction in the number of hospital appointments.

Lorenzo Garagnani said:

“I feel honoured and extremely proud to receive this recognition, which I would like to share with all my patients, my family and the colleagues who have believed in me and supported me through the years.

“I firmly believe in the value of accessible, universal healthcare and high-level, multidisciplinary services that can be provided in the NHS. The services that I am being recognised for have required significant commitment, passion and a strong, selfless focus on patient-centred care. This has allowed me to overcome any challenges along the way.

“I hope that all the work that has led to this MBE recognition will increase the awareness of the high standard of services that the NHS can provide and allow many more patients and their families to receive the care they deserve.”

Congratulations also go to Simon Friend, a Non-Executive Director on the Trust Board, who has also been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of his years of service to charity.