Latest news with #KatherineGrainger
Evening Standard
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Evening Standard
Stormzy awarded honorary degree by Cambridge for work supporting black students
Lady Arden of Heswall, a former justice of the UK Supreme Court, was honoured with a Doctorate in Law while Olympic gold medallist Dame Katherine Grainger, the current chairwoman of UK Sport and incoming chairwoman of the British Olympic Association was also awarded a Doctorate in Law.
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Ex-Cabinet Secretary Simon Case is handed peerage despite grovelling apology for Covid WhatsApps branding officials 'feral' and 'pygmies'
A former head of the Civil Service has been handed a peerage despite controversy over his time at the heart of government. Simon Case, who stood down as Cabinet secretary last year after four years, will become a crossbencher former national security adviser Tim Barrow, it has been announced. Lord Case, a former aide to the Prince of Wales, served under four prime ministers between 202 and 2024, leading the Civil Service during the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the funeral of Elizabeth II. But his tenure was not without controversy. He was forced to recuse himself from leading an investigation into the ' Partygate ' scandal following allegations his own office had held a Christmas event during lockdown - though he was not one of those fined over the scandal. In 2023, evidence presented to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry revealed he was often exasperated by the Johnson administration. Messages revealed he found Mr Johnson's style of working 'very frustrating' and described his day-to-day administration as 'dysfunctional'. In July 2020, before he became Cabinet Secretary, he told a friend: 'I've never seen a bunch of people less well-equipped to run a country.' He also described Mr Johnson and his inner circle as 'basically feral'. Others to be given peerages include Olympic gold medalist Katherine Grainger and former John Lewis chairwoman Sharon White. Baroness Grainger, now chairwoman of the British Olympic Association (BOA), is Britain's most decorated female rower. In addition to winning gold at the 2012 London Olympics, she won four silver medals – in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2016 – and six world championship titles. Baroness Grainger then spent eight years as chairwoman of UK Sport before leaving the post this year and taking up the leadership of the BOA. Lord Barrow played a key role in Brexit negotiations as the UK's representative to the EU between 2017 and 2021, before becoming national security adviser under Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak. He had been lined up by Mr Sunak to take over as ambassador to the US, but the change of government last year led to Sir Keir Starmer appointing Lord Peter Mandelson instead. Baroness White was the first black person and second woman to become a permanent secretary at the Treasury, before serving as CEO of Ofcom between 2015 and 2019. She then chaired John Lewis between 2020 and 2024.
The Independent
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Olympic rower and former cabinet secretary made peers
Olympic gold medallist Katherine Grainger and former cabinet secretary Simon Case have been given peerages, Downing Street has announced. The pair, along with former national security adviser Tim Barrow and former John Lewis chairwoman Sharon White, will join the House of Lords as non-aligned crossbench peers. Baroness Grainger, now chairwoman of the British Olympic Association (BOA), is Britain's most decorated female rower. In addition to winning gold at the 2012 London Olympics, she won four silver medals – in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2016 – and six world championship titles. Baroness Grainger then spent eight years as chairwoman of UK Sport before leaving the post this year and taking up the leadership of the BOA. Lord Case became cabinet secretary in September 2020, having previously served as private secretary to the Duke of Cambridge. He stepped down at the end of 2024, having led the Civil Service during the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the funeral of Elizabeth II. But his tenure was not without controversy, as he was forced to recuse himself from leading an investigation into the 'Partygate' scandal following allegations his office had held a Christmas event during lockdown. Lord Case was not one of those fined over the scandal. Lord Barrow played a key role in Brexit negotiations as the UK's representative to the EU between 2017 and 2021, before becoming national security adviser under Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak. He had been lined up by Mr Sunak to take over as ambassador to the US, but the change of government last year led to Sir Keir Starmer appointing Lord Peter Mandelson instead. Baroness White was the first black person and second woman to become a permanent secretary at the Treasury, before serving as CEO of Ofcom between 2015 and 2019. She then chaired John Lewis between 2020 and 2024.
Edinburgh Reporter
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Dame Katherine to receive life peerage
The Prime Minister has just announced that Dame Katherine Grainger is to become a life peer. The government outlined Dame Katherine's success which has led to the peerage being conferred upon her: 'Dame Katherine Grainger is Britain's most decorated female rower and the only female athlete – in any sport – to gain medals in five consecutive Olympic Games. Following her completion of two terms as Chair of UK Sport, Dame Katherine was appointed as Chair of the British Olympic Association. 'Born in Glasgow, Dame Katherine read law at the University of Edinburgh and then obtained a Masters in law from the University of Glasgow and a PhD from King's College London. Dame Katherine began rowing in 1993, winning a silver medal at the Sydney, Athens and Beijing Olympics, before winning a gold medal in London, and a further silver medal in Rio de Janeiro, as well as eight World Championship medals, including six gold medals. 'Dame Katherine is on the board of the Youth Sport Trust and is patron of Netball Scotland, Winning Scotland and the National Coastwatch Institution. She was appointed a DBE in 2017, following previous awards of MBE and CBE. Katherine was previously Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University and is currently the Chancellor of the University of Glasgow and Honorary Colonel of the 215 (Scottish) Multirole Medical Regiment of the British Army. She is also the Honorary President of Scottish Rowing.' Other new cross-bench peers announced today include Sir Tim Barrow, GCMG LVO MBE – lately National Security Adviser. Former Second Permanent Under-Secretary and Political Director at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Dr Simon Case CVO – lately Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service. Former Private Secretary to HRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. Former Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Dame Sharon White, Lady Chote, DBE – former Chair of the John Lewis Partnership, former Chief Executive of the Ofcom and former Second Permanent Secretary at HM Treasury. A life peerage cannot be inherited. Katherine Grainger & Ruth Davidson appeared at the Edinburgh International Book Festival © 2019 Like this: Like Related
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
BBC Radio 5 Live's Naga Munchetty and Jeanette Kwakye to be joined by sporting legends for special live programme championing women in sport
This summer, women's sport takes centre stage and BBC Radio 5 Live is marking the moment with a special programme called Names Will Be Made LIVE. Hosted by mid-morning presenter Naga Munchetty and former British sprinting champion turned weekend breakfast show presenter Jeanette Kwakye, the special will air on BBC 5 Live on Monday 23 June, from 11am to 2pm. Broadcasting live from Loughborough University, the home of the new Women in Sport Research and Innovation Hub, the programme will bring together more than 30 elite athletes, rising stars, and leading experts for an inspiring, in-depth exploration of women's sport. From the rapid growth of audiences to the barriers still facing female athletes, Names Will Be Made LIVE will dive into crucial conversations around access, participation, funding, and women's health in sport. The impressive line-up of guests include: Dame Katherine Grainger, Olympic rowing legend and new chair of the British Olympic Association, whose leadership has transformed British elite sport. Heather Knight OBE, former England cricket captain and a trailblazer on and off the pitch. Sammi Kinghorn MBE - Paralympic gold medallist and record-breaking wheelchair racer with a remarkable story of resilience. Sally Gunnell OBE - Olympic champion and the only female British athlete to hold Olympic, World, European, and Commonwealth titles simultaneously. Maggie Alphonsi MBE - World Cup-winning rugby star, commentator, and powerful voice for equality in sport. Alice Dearing – a history-making Team GB marathon swimmer who has championed diversity in her sport. Rebecca Welch - former professional football referee and first female to referee a Premier League match. The audience will also hear from the next generation of sporting talent, and the coaches, scientists, and mentors helping to shape their futures. Heidi Dawson, Controller of BBC Radio 5 Live, said: 'At 5 Live, we're passionate about giving women's sport the platform it deserves. 'Names Will Be Made LIVE' is a chance to amplify the voices driving change, challenging outdated thinking, and inspiring the next generation. This event reflects our ongoing commitment to championing brilliant stories and the people behind them.' The event forms part of the BBC's Names Will Be Made campaign which spotlights female athletes and brings together all BBC Sport's live coverage and reporting, and signposts content across the BBC for audiences to enjoy, all putting women's sport front and centre. Over the next few months BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra will broadcast live commentary from a host of this summer's big events, including Euro 2025, the Women's Rugby World Cup, Wimbledon, The Hundred, England Cricket internationals, World Athletics Championships and the Women's Open golf. Presenters Rachel Burden and Jeanette Kwakye will also be live in Switzerland for the start of the Euro's and the England and Wales match respectively. Listen in to Names Will Be Made LIVE on Monday 23 June from 11am to 2pm on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds. Read more: Women's Sport takes centre stage across the BBC in summer 2025 MCL Follow for more
