CEO of NPL in Teddington, Dr Peter Thompson has been awarded a CBE in the King's New Year Honours List 2025 in recognition of his services to science and technology.

Of the award Dr Thompson said: "Throughout my career I have worked with many extraordinarily talented colleagues, whose work has had incredible impact for society.

"I have always endeavoured to lead and learn from them in equal measure and this award is a celebration of our collective achievements.

"It has been, and continues to be, an honour to work with individuals passionate about making a difference.

"I have also been fortunate to have the support of my family, especially my wife Lindsay, with whom I share this Honour."

For three decades, including nine years as CEO of NPL, Dr Thompson has been dedicated to leading world-class science, technology and engineering in an innovative and impact-focused way.

Throughout his career, Dr Thompson has given substantial time to coaching and mentoring people at all stages of their careers, and his emphasis on people and values has inspired the transformation of NPL over the last decade.

This has driven forward the development and application of world-leading science, building strong links with strategic partners and industry and increasing NPL's international profile, adding economic and social value to the UK.

He has overseen a number of initiatives and programmes with significant societal impact, spanning the healthcare, quantum, manufacturing and telecommunications sectors.

In 2020 his visionary approach saw him create and lead the Measurement for Recovery programme, which received over 700 applications from micro or small businesses and helped address their needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The interventions from NPL helped to deliver innovation, uncover efficiencies and bring confidence to decision making and investment to drive growth for UK industry.

At the beginning of 2024 he championed the creation and launch of NPL's diversity and inclusion campaign Stronger Together Everyone Matters, which empowered those within NPL to share their stories to break down barriers, highlighting the diverse people who help NPL achieve extraordinary impact.

Dr Thompson is passionate about inspiring the next generation.

At NPL, he has long supported the outreach programme, which aims to reduce the UK STEM skills gap by encouraging people of all ages and backgrounds to consider academic and employment routes into STEM careers.

Outside of work he has sought to bring this priority into roles including as a governor and chair of a technology college and sports coaching for children ages five to 15.

Prior to NPL he spent two decades in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and, as Head of the Science and Technology Counter Terrorism Centre, he led initiatives which saw him receive a CSA Commendation for inspirational leadership.

He also led teams that engineered and embedded novel technologies for mission critical operations, and, in 2003, the team were awarded the prestigious National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation (NIMUC).

Dr Thompson was made a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2018 and in 2022 was the recipient of the Richard Glazebrook Gold Medal for Outstanding Leadership in Physics.

He is a visiting Professor at the University of Surrey, and he sits as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult and is a Trustee of the Institute of Physics.

Also on the list is Hampton-based Marek Regan, Police Community Support Officer (PCSO), Metropolitan Police Service, for his services to Community Sports.