Britain’s King Charles III has conferred new Knight Companions of the Most Noble Order of the Garter to distinguished individuals, including senior British Indian medic Lord Ajay Kumar Kakkar and musician Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Lord Kakkar, aged 59, has been honored for his exemplary public service and achievements. His selection for one of the country’s oldest ceremonial orders is distinct from other annual royal honors as it does not require prime ministerial advice.
A citation issued by Buckingham Palace highlights Lord Kakkar’s medical career, focusing on preventing and treating venous and arterial thromboembolic disease and cancer-associated thrombosis. He holds positions as the president of the Thrombosis Research Institute, the chairman of King’s Health Partners, and the chairman of The King’s Fund, a charitable healthcare organization.
Additionally, Lord Kakkar holds positions such as chairman of the Royal Commission for the 1851 Great Exhibition and chairman of UK Biobank. He was previously appointed as a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) for his contributions to healthcare and public service by the Late Queen Elizabeth II.
Lord Kakkar’s roles extend beyond healthcare; he currently serves as Chancellor of the University of Lincoln and holds the title of Emeritus Professor of Surgery at University College London. He has also held significant positions such as Chair of the House of Lords Appointments Commission (2013-2018) and the Judicial Appointments Commission (2016-2022).
