Rowing Recognised in King’s New Year Honours 2026

Frankie Allen, Paralympic Champion; Louise Kingsley, GB Rowing Team Director of Performance and Clare Briegal, British Rowing Deputy Chair awarded MBEs while York City RC’s Phil Jones and Bedford Rowing Club’s John Pendall both awarded BEMs

Both the elite and club side of the sport have been recognised in the King’s New Years Honours list 2026.

Paralympic and World Champion Frankie Allen has been awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for services to Disability Sport and to Improving Access to Sport for Young People. Frankie made her Para rowing debut in 2021 and has established herself in the PR3 Mixed Coxed Four where she has helped the boat maintain its 15 year unbeaten record. A working physiotherapist, Frankie is active in encouraging more young people into sport. “Thank you,” Frankie said, “this means so much to me and I’m grateful to my family, friends and team-mates who have supported me since my first day out on the water.”

Louise Kingsley, Director of Performance for the GB Rowing Team has also been awarded an MBE for her outstanding achievement in the sport and her service to the community.

Louise became GB Rowing Team Director of Performance in December 2021 after spending more than 20 years’ in the sport, initially as a successful coach and then running the governing body’s performance pathway and Paralympic programme. A lifelong sportswoman and accomplished archer, Louise is also a Non-Executive Director at British Shooting.

Under Louise’s stewardship, at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the GB Rowing Team achieved its most successful overseas Olympic Games and its most successful ever by number of medallists, with 36 out of 42 athletes coming home with a medal. Great Britain also topped the Para Rowing medal table at the 2024 Paralympic Games, with three gold and one silver medal making it our best-ever Paralympic Games.

“I feel incredibly honoured to have been awarded an MBE.” Louise said, adding, “It was a total surprise to get the letter and I’m not sure that it’s sunk in yet! I’m very lucky to do a job that I love and be surrounded by so many talented people who turn up day in, day out to help our athletes deliver the best performances they can on the global stage. We came home from Paris 2024 having set new standards and broken records for our performances and we are now fully focussed on how we can build on this as we look ahead to LA 2028.”

Also awarded an MBE for her services to sport is British Rowing’s Deputy Chair, Clare Briegal. Clare is a member of Northwich RC, Cambridge University BC and Leander Club. She has rowed since university and is a qualified multi-lane umpire and volunteer rowing administrator. She was Chair of the North West Regional Rowing Council from 2016 to 2022 and was a Trustee of Northwich RC.

Clare was Chief Executive Officer of World Netball (the International Governing Body) from 2012-2024, having moved into sports administration in 2012 following 25 years in sales, marketing and general management. She is an Executive Board member of ARISF (Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations) and is Chair of Sport Liverpool, overseeing the delivery of Liverpool’s major sports events and bidding for future events. She was elected to the British Rowing Board in November 2022 and to the position of Deputy Chair in November 2024.

Recognised with a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to rowing and young people in York is York City RC’s Phil Jones, who was awarded the British Rowing Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022 for over three decades of outstanding contributions to York City RC.

The British Empire Medal is awarded for ‘achievement or contribution of a very “hands-on” service to the community in a local geographical area including sustained commitment in support of very local charitable and/or voluntary activity; or innovative work that has delivered real impact.

Phil said: “I don’t suppose many people get the British Empire Medal each year, and there are hundreds of other people in rowing and other volunteers who are at least, if not more worthy than I am. I was very much taken by surprise.

“I feel honoured and I’m mindful of the fact that none of what I achieved would have been possible had it not been for the support from my family, particularly my wife, who had to put up with all the rowing things that I was doing for more than 30 years!”

Also recognised with a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to rowing is David Pendall, Volunteer Coach at Bedford Rowing Club. David has dedicated decades of service as a volunteer coach, becoming a vital support to Bedford Rowing Club and the community. His commitment has transformed the lives of countless young people to whom he has served as a mentor, educator, and role model.

Commenting on the publication of the list, Diana Hunter, Chair of British Rowing said: “Congratulations to Frankie, Louise, Clare, Phil and David. It’s fantastic to see people across all areas of our sport recognised in the 2026 Honours List. From those who volunteer, coach and inspire people in our clubs and communities to those delivering everyday at the highest level. These awards are wonderful achievements that recognise all the hard work that goes into making our sport successful across the country.”