Diabetes UK’s Chief Executive, Chris Askew, has been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s 2020 Birthday honours list, for services to people with diabetes.
This year has demonstrated all too clearly the seriousness of diabetes, and on receiving the award, Chris acknowledged not only the work of the Diabetes UK team in supporting those living with or affected by diabetes, but also the many supporters and volunteers who make the work of Diabetes UK possible.
Chris Askew, our Chief Executive, said:
“I’m completely humbled to have been nominated for this honour, and I’m so delighted to receive it. The terrible impacts of the pandemic on those we support have shone a bright light on the need for our work, and spur us on in our mission to support everyone living with and affected by diabetes, and to advance the care, treatment and prevention of the condition.
“Everyone at Diabetes UK has been working at full stretch during the pandemic to provide the information, support and representation which so many people living with diabetes have looked to us for. This honour, in truth, recognises the work of all my colleagues at Diabetes UK and of our many supporters and partners, who fund and enable our vital and life-changing work.”
Our Chair of Trustees, Peter Dixon, congratulated Chris on receiving this honour on behalf of the Board of Trustees. He said:
“On behalf of the Diabetes UK Board of Trustees, I would like to offer my sincerest and heartfelt congratulations to Chris on receipt of this honour. Chris is an admired leader who is entirely committed to steering Diabetes UK towards achieving its goals, and this honour rightly recognises not only the huge impacts the organisation has made under his tenure, but also Chris’s enormous contribution to the charity sector.
“This year, more than ever, has demanded much of Diabetes UK and its team, as the organisation has collectively risen to the challenge of the pandemic to meet the needs of people living with and affected by diabetes. I know the Trustees join me in congratulating Chris, and we look forward to further great work from Diabetes UK as a community under his leadership.”
Chris has written a blog about the ways in which he has reflected on the new challenges facing people with diabetes during the pandemic, and how Diabetes UK is determined to meet them. Read Chris's blog.
