https://www.excellencenotempire.co.uk/blog daily 0.75 2021-06-19 https://www.excellencenotempire.co.uk/blog/tia-3b53k monthly 0.5 2021-06-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1623154885428-FVGB8Y6BAGFP6NJZ64QM/Poppy+Preferred+Pic+July19.jpg Blog - An opportunity for restitution and leadership - Poppy Jaman https://www.excellencenotempire.co.uk/blog/dear-cabinet-secretary monthly 0.5 2021-06-10 https://www.excellencenotempire.co.uk/blog/1919-the-fall-of-empire-and-its-legacy-in-our-honours-system-matt-downie monthly 0.5 2021-06-10 https://www.excellencenotempire.co.uk/blog/the-nhs-the-honours-system-and-me-lisa-rodrigues monthly 0.5 2021-06-19 https://www.excellencenotempire.co.uk/home daily 1.0 2023-10-12 https://www.excellencenotempire.co.uk/caseforchange daily 0.75 2021-05-17 https://www.excellencenotempire.co.uk/supporters daily 0.75 2024-03-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1622488881961-0L16RF9T40NK2X60J67L/Arvinda-Gohil+%281%29.jpg Supporters - Arvinda Gohil OBE The honours system in Britain is to recognise the work in most cases of the very ordinary and everyday folk, who go out of their way to contribute to the wellbeing of society and people. To remain true to the sentiments of the honours system, it needs to speak to everyone in our society today. Like many others, I questioned deeply and nearly refused to accept my OBE, purely and simply because of the word Empire. It neither describes our place in the world today, nor recognises the road travelled in creating a sense of belonging for all who now make up Britain. Now, more than ever, we need to recognise the need to remove Empire from the award system. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1623154830360-Z8CAZ5J4CRSYO73BLIVW/Poppy+Preferred+Pic+July19.jpg Supporters - Poppy Jaman OBE Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1621185763817-51IPHJZYONVCUIAR00WG/Simon+Blake+photo.jpg Supporters - Simon Blake OBE Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1621237494313-F07SD9FUIMFJ7CMSHYXS/Polly+photo+July+2019.jpg Supporters - Polly Neate CBE The association between the honours system and the British Empire is an obstacle that prevents many people from accepting honours. Having accepted mine, I have a responsibility to try to change that. Like many civil society leaders, I received my honour as a proxy for many, many dedicated colleagues who work tirelessly for causes that they and I care deeply about. Many of them not only did the work for which I was honoured, but also nominated me or supported my application. I am only one person among many who work together to make change happen. That led to my feeling of responsibility to accept the honour with gratitude. It equally informs my feeling of responsibility to change the system. I rose to become the most prominent individual in the organisations I’ve represented, and therefore the most likely to be honoured, as a result of considerable privilege. I acknowledge that, and when my honour was announced I made clear that I saw it as recognition for the work of everyone at Shelter, where I now work, and Women’s Aid, where I was previously Chief Executive. We all say that, but it doesn’t hide the fact that in very many ways we as leaders get more than our fair share of recognition, consolidating our privilege as we go. What’s more, the causes I have worked for have the struggle for social justice at their heart. The organisations only exist because of the unfairness and inequity at the heart of our country and all its systems. That is the conundrum at the heart of civil society leadership: we believe passionately in our causes and in the fight for justice. We also benefit from that fight. I’m hugely grateful to be honoured for the fight for social justice, and as a proxy for so many others who have played at least as important a role in that fight as I have (often far more important). As someone committed to that fight, I feel I have no choice but to use every opportunity I get to challenge systemic injustice in every institution I’m part of. I’m now a part of the honours system, so it’s my responsibility to support this campaign. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1622795704477-BYS59XUZEPUZQ7P9HQBS/sufina.jpg Supporters - Sufina Ahmad MBE Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1623254694196-AIXQIKTBQIHEU0IE8CC5/Natasha-Devon-Jan-2020-012+%282%29.jpg Supporters - Natasha Devon MBE I was overjoyed to be recognised with an honour in 2015 for my services to young people. But, every time I am introduced with 'MBE' after my name, the pride I feel is tainted by the knowledge of what those letters stand for. These medals are given for excellence and endeavour and their name should reflect that, rather than evoking the injustice and suffering caused and perpetuated by the British Empire. Like other countries have done, Britain needs to recognise and own the less palatable aspects of its history. To no longer bestow the name of 'empire' as an honour would be a (symbolic but massive) gesture in that regard. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1622051801498-B0MGA457YYXOSTLN6JJU/Adeela_W_WebRes007.JPG Supporters - Adeela Warley OBE In December 2020, I was one of the many hundreds of people across the UK who received an email asking if they would be willing to accept a public honour. I was astounded and humbled to be awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE). Accepting the honour was a deeply personal decision. The colonial connection to the British Empire gave me much personal anguish. I wondered what my beloved parents who grew up in apartheid South Africa would think if they were still alive, and what my closest colleagues and friends might think of me. I accepted because it felt so important to recognise the vital role charity communicators play in driving social good, and the contribution people of colour make to British life. I would dearly love to spare others this painful soul-searching which is why I support the #ExcellenceNotEmpire campaign. This change, would enable people from all backgrounds to accept and celebrate their honour with unalloyed pride. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1621947663609-MQMJJEY52LUMM3WEDFTZ/Jasvir.jpg Supporters - Jasvir Singh OBE Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1621185925947-086V7WB5AVT33KACRHKV/gb.jpg Supporters - Gary Buxton MBE Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1621186092202-UL434U22ZTLYE4ZANVMC/hugh.jpg Supporters - Hugh Thornbery CBE I’m firmly of the view that as a nation we should recognise and celebrate individual contributions to society. The Honours system may not be a perfect way of doing this but it does recognise many thousands of individuals who put others needs before their own through civic and voluntary endeavour. I was proud to receive my honour in the 2016 New Years Honours and like many others in my sector I saw it as a public acknowledgement of the value of the effort of all those who I’d worked with over a career spanning 40+ years. But, and it’s a big but, I also felt very uncomfortable. I’m aware of too many wonderful people who have felt it impossible to accept an honour because of that one word – Empire – and all the painful and bloody history that word encapsulates. As a nation we must at some stage address our colonial past. One very easy and symbolic way to start this reckoning would be to change one word – Excellence not Empire. How much more inclusive the honours system would be with that one simple decision. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1621866491148-0E1QF4W6E9423BK67HVT/jonny.jpg Supporters - Jonny Benjamin MBE Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1621874690991-SCUMWNABF4JFCWKKFJ8G/Jo+V.png Supporters - Jo Verrent MBE I was both proud and embarrassed to gain my MBE. Proud because it showed that the profile of work commissioning disabled artists at Unlimited was deemed to be at a certain level, embarrassed because of the link to Empire and all that this reveals about how we, as a country, still view power and success. As I said at the time of the announcement ‘Any award isn’t ever for one person, it’s for all the people connected to the work they are involved in…I’m not assuming all the team or all disabled artists would have made the same decision to accept an award – far from it. I’m aware many would not.’ A number of my close friends were disappointed in my choice to accept. I did it to show disabled people can achieve, to open up conversations about disability, ableism and art, to make more of a different (and also to show my mum that people like us can be recognised for things). Changing the name would make a concrete difference, would open up the diversity of awardees further – why would we not want to do that? Why do we want to hold on to a word that is so tainted and problematic for so many? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1623232632686-ESBFRD46732OFBST96C8/steve+w.jpg Supporters - Steve Wyler OBE When I received a letter telling me I had been awarded an honour I felt both pride and gratitude. For the causes I believe in, for the people I worked with, and yes for myself too. And I felt privileged to live in a country which, increasingly in recent years, is willing to recognise the contributions, large and small, of people from all walks of life. But I also felt troubled by the association with Empire. I know that many people see the story of the British Empire as one of epic achievement. In some ways that may be so, but it was also one of immense injustice. And some of the consequences of that injustice are with us still. It would send a positive and confident signal about our national identity, I believe, to move away from an association that is irredeemably tainted, when future honours are conferred. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1623232503135-098LZXFAH0VU7XGBU0S6/miranda.jpg Supporters - Miranda Wolpert MBE Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1623252987878-FB8JI57ZCD1UKA9X7DLE/Jonathan.jpg Supporters - Jonathan Cohen OBE I was awarded an OBE in 2006 for services to conflict prevention and conflict resolution in the Caucasus. I felt ambivalent. There was a certain irony in being offered an honour for working to prevent conflict in the debris of the collapsed Soviet empire, in the name of another empire with its own history of injustice and conflict. I decided to accept the award because it was recognition of the endeavours of courageous people with whom I had been privileged to work, people who were trying to bring peace to their war-ravaged communities and whose efforts received next to no recognition. I was proud that a shared aspiration to bring about peace in the wake of violent conflict was being acknowledged. At the heart of peace-building are notions of resilience, inclusion and mutual respect, which resonate with #ExcellenceNotEmpire. This campaign is a timely opportunity to envision a new approach in which excellence is recognised for itself rather than service to an empire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1623248734389-SJIDSVXNIHS6S8O3YCSZ/David_Robinson.JPG Supporters - David Robinson OBE Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1623256626950-1O4NCYCYV61RWO8G22UT/harriet.jpg Supporters - Harriet Lamb CBE When I was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) it was a special recognition of Fairtrade’s place in the mainstream – that we had gone from being on the lunatic fringe, laughed at and told Fairtrade would never work – to our whole movement being honoured and recognised by the establishment. At Fairtrade, we all felt humbled and proud of what the movement as a whole had achieved, in the UK and across the world. I felt distinctly uncomfortable about the Empire wording. Especially as Fairtrade’s work was exactly about overturning old, colonial relationships of trade – those relationships which left the smallholder farmers and workers who grow our tea, coffee or cocoa from India to Kenya receiving low incomes, while companies based overseas reaped the profits. Fairtrade is about moving from those old power imbalances of Empire to a new, fairer future. We discussed if I should refuse the honour because of the anachronistic and negative connection with empire - but decided that I was not famous enough for this to have any impact. We all agreed that I should accept the award on behalf of all those thousands of people who asked for Fairtrade and campaigned for it, and grew movements of farmers and workers. It was an honour they were rightly due. So, when asked, I focus on the recognition of civic achievement. But if CBE stood for ‘Civic British Excellence’ then I would no longer have to mumble my words, hoping that no-one hears them, and could be properly proud! And my friends couldn’t tease me by calling me ‘Commander’. Harriet Lamb is now CEO of climate solutions charity, Ashden. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1623254264760-MTEMYUFR21JDYQO5MHXO/monty.jpg Supporters - Monty Moncrieff MBE Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1623307214184-DJKRQWXT1IZTVAVJO7RD/sj.jpg Supporters - Suzanne Jacob OBE Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1623343994722-4EFUXUI20TAB3G5LV9T5/stibs.jpg Supporters - Sue Tibballs OBE I was awarded an OBE for ‘services to women’s sport’ in 2014 – toward the end of my seven years as CEO of what is now Women in Sport. As for so many others, I was absolutely stunned to be offered an honour. In fact, I was literally speechless when I received the letter. I was also deeply pleased and proud and moved. As a campaigner, I felt it offered recognition and validation of this odd working life I have pursued. It isn’t a ‘career’ that offers recognised pathways, CPD and the acknowledgment of your peers if you do well. So it meant a lot to me, and I felt, the role of campaigners, to be recognised. And yet, I – as with so many others - felt conflicted. Some of this was because I knew were are so many others who played a critical role in advancing the cause of women’s sport. So why me? And also the association with Empire just felt wrong. For my Dad this was unassailable, and he declined his invitation to the Palace. A decision I respect, but his absence I regret. I wished this ‘honour’ was something he would feel able to celebrate with me. I reconciled that I was accepting the honour on behalf of all those who campaign. And my Dad was campaigning to make this Honours system truly honourable. Being the recipient of an Order of British Excellence would allow us to celebrate together. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1623390360200-Y3EBWWDM4PU5XYN35B30/DC+OBE.jpg Supporters - Duncan Craig OBE I am so incredibly proud to have received my OBE for services to Male Rape Victims and Child Sexual Abuse, and if I could wear my medal every single day I would, but it does not go with a sweater! As a survivor of sexual abuse and rape myself, being presented with this honour (and by the actual Queen, whom I have so much respect and admiration for) felt so personal, like the country was saying “hey Duncan, we see you and hear you” – I cannot tell you what that means after years of feeling and being silent and excluded from society. It wasn’t until I was listening to a conversation between few peers regarding the use of the word ‘Empire’ in the Honours system, that it fully registered with me how much this one word feels so out of date, particularly in our incredible multi-cultural country, and how the core of the Honours System is about celebrating excellence and achievement for the greater good. So now, more than ever as we learn and grow from the past (like a true survivor) that we carry on being brave, address the past by building for the future and celebrating EXCELLENCE! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1623349853085-Z1IILPYLTSFB6657NQ40/pen.jpg Supporters - Penelope Thompson CBE Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1623399449280-PMNNZHIQMQHWF5WBJKF6/troop.jpg Supporters - Sarah Troop BEM Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1623418805722-F3THWEHXOLLFNA8W83FU/peter+h.jpg Supporters - Peter Holbrook CBE I knew my parents would be as proud as proud can be, and as pleased as punch to know my work, (which I’m not sure they ever really ever truly understood) was recognised as it was with an Honour in 2014. Whether it’s your parents, kids, other family members or friends who share in the celebration of achievement, there’s no doubt it’s a great privilege to be recognised by your nation. It should be a very proud moment for any recipient. But there is a but, and that but begins with an ‘ e’. I have been fortunate enough to travel the world promoting responsible business through my role at Social Enterprise UK, and in my experience, the term ‘empire’ has an even more divisive response overseas, particularly in communities who share in the painful legacy of empire. As we seek to further and promote a progressive and forward thinking Britain, notions of empire really do hold us back. I hope that my own honour signifies my role in helping to build a better nation and world, and celebrates success in meeting the challenges in the here and now, rather than in the faded and misplaced romanticism of the past. I for one would be prouder and more confident in celebrating my honour if out dated notions of empire were replaced with excellence or endeavour. I’d like to be prouder of my honour- and what it represents than I currently allow myself to be. I hope that the proposed and subtle, yet significant change in language helps me and many others to overcome that barrier. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1623427612844-YYU801E60R1QJHGOFG99/lucy.jpg Supporters - Lucy Findlay MBE Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60685c95dc292e3cab6af352/1623688979368-K5FGGV500F1ZJU1Q2OYK/Nicola+Sharp-Jeffs.jpg Supporters - Nicola Sharp-Jeffs OBE It was and will forever remain an honour to have been awarded an OBE. It was particularly special to me, because it explicitly named victims of 'economic abuse’ for the first time. In the words of the Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) team, this was ‘validating for our work‘ and, from the victim-survivors who inspire and inform everything that we do, it meant ‘so much to know that economic abuse is now recognised.’ But with this privilege comes a responsibility to acknowledge the UK’s colonial and racist past. Joining this campaign reflects what I was recognised for in the first place - my commitment to striving for social justice. At SEA we are part of the anti-racism working group, a movement-changing initiative led by the End Violence Against Women (EVAW) coalition which challenges us all to play our part in ending racism. I am, therefore, proud to join other sector leaders in calling for this simple, but important change - that honours be conferred in the name of #ExcellenceNotEmpire https://www.excellencenotempire.co.uk/getinvolved daily 0.75 2023-02-01 https://www.excellencenotempire.co.uk/donate daily 0.75 2021-04-03