Dr Alison Vincent, a member of the University Council and Professor Rachel Mills, a former Dean of the Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences (FELS) have been awarded CBEs in the King’s Birthday Honours 2024. Professor Judith Petts, a former Dean of the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, has been awarded a Damehood.
Dr Alison Vincent receives her CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for services to Engineering and Technology; Professor Rachel Mills is awarded a CBE for services to Marine Science and Professor Judith Petts is awarded a DBE (Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for services to higher education and sustainability.
Dr Alison Vincent started her tenure on the University Council in 2017 and will complete the maximum time with us in 2026. Dr Vincent is a non-executive director at Connected Places Catapult. She has 30 years’ experience in global businesses holding senior level positions in Cisco, HSBC, NDS, Micro Focus and IBM. She was named as one of the Top 50 Influential Women in UK IT 2017. She is an Ambassador for Women In Science and Engineering (WISE) and a passionate supporter of the STEM agenda in Schools.
Professor Rachel Mills is currently Senior Vice-President (Academic) at King’s College London. She began her career as an undergraduate at Southampton before working here as an academic for 28 years.
Whilst working at the University of Southampton, she made a significant contribution as a deep-sea oceanographer working on the chemistry of the seafloor and its impact on life in the sea. She has led research expeditions using submersibles and remotely operated vehicles to remote and deep unexplored parts of the ocean.
Professor Judith Petts is Vice-Chancellor of Plymouth University. In 2010 Judith moved to the University of Southampton to become the inaugural Dean of the new Faculty of Social and Human Sciences and then in January 2014 she was appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mark E. Smith says:
“Dr Vincent and Professors Mills and Petts richly deserve this recognition for their outstanding contributions in their respective fields.
“We are very fortunate to have Dr Vincent as a member of our governing Council. She brings a wealth of experience from business which contributes to the way we shape our institution for the future.
“Many of us will have fond memories of Professor Mills as a leading researcher and educator, a team leader, a Dean and University champion for areas of strategic importance such as sustainability. We’re delighted that Rachel continues her connection with this University as a Visiting Professor of the Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences.
“Professor Petts made an important contribution to our University in two executive roles. She championed public engagement and was very involved with key external partners such as NERC and DEFRA. She was also a great advocate for some of our early sustainability issues such as Blackout.”