King Charles has named three senior leaders at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust in his New Year’s Honours List.
Kathy Cowell OBE DL, the Chair of the Trust, has been awarded the CBE for services to the NHS, Simon Walsh, Procurement Director, has received the BEM for services to the NHS and charity while Jackie Hanson, a Non-Executive Director, has been awarded the MBE for services to the Nursing Profession and Health Services Leadership.
Mark Cubbon, Trust Chief Executive, welcoming the news, said: “These are richly deserved awards for MFT colleagues who are all outstanding in their fields.
“Kathy’s contribution as Chair over nine years has been essential to our successes and the development of MFT as a leading healthcare organisation, providing high-quality care to millions of patients while bringing world-class research to the communities we serve.
Simon’s work in procurement has made a significant impact both regionally and nationally, ensuring the NHS generates the utmost value for patients and communities. His leadership is highly valued in the organisation and beyond.
We are also fortunate that Jackie has recently joined our Board as a Non-Executive Director. The positive impact she has made across Nursing leadership in the wider North West is well understood.
This is a great start to 2026, and I’m sure colleagues across MFT will join me in saying very well done to all.”
A banker by profession, Mrs Cowell has held several Chair and Non-Executive Director roles in the NHS, including Chair of Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS FT, prior to the merger with University Hospital of South Manchester NHS FT to form MFT in 2017. Key moments of her career included leading the merger to create MFT as the largest Trust in the country, supporting staff in the aftermath of the Manchester Arena attack, and helping form partnerships which have seen the trust consolidate its role as a leading organisation for research and innovation.
Kathy said: “It is a great privilege to serve our diverse communities in Manchester, Trafford and beyond.
I have been blessed to work with incredible people throughout my time in the NHS, all committed to improving patient care.
This honour is testament to everything we have achieved together over the years, including the work of our amazing volunteers.”
Simon Walsh, Procurement Director and Joint Greater Manchester Procurement Lead, has received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the NHS and charity. 
Simon has worked in NHS procurement services since 1987 and has led the procurement team of MFT and its predecessors since 2003. He is formerly Chair of the Health Care Supply Association, the representative charity for NHS procurement staff, and has contributed to procurement policy development at regional and national levels.
Simon said: “It has been immensely rewarding to lead the Procurement Team at MFT and, with the support of the trust, develop a unique range of services for wards, theatres, and departments. I am both humbled and proud to receive this recognition.”
Jackie Hanson, a Non-Executive Director at MFT and former Joint Regional Chief Nurse for NHS England in the North West, has been named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the Nursing Profession and Health Services Leadership.
Jackie provided outstanding leadership in the NHS England regional team during the COVID-19 pandemic and was instrumental in driving the establishment of the North West antiracism programme. She joined the MFT Board in December.
Jackie said: “I have been enormously privileged to work alongside dedicated, hardworking and compassionate staff who have strived to improve the quality of health care services for communities and patients within the North West.
“I dedicate this award to all of them and thank them for their support and guidance throughout my career.”