1991 New Year Honours

1991 New Year Honours
Title	New Year Honours 1991
Year	1991
Country	United Kingdom
Announced	31 December 1990
Total	Approximately 1,000
Knight bachelor	45
Dbe	20
Cbe	100
Obe	250
Mbe	500
Bem	85
Notes	Awarded by Queen Elizabeth II on the advice of the Prime Minister, John Major.

1991 New Year Honours were appointments by Queen Elizabeth II to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth, announced on 31 December 1990 to mark the year ahead. The list, the first of the premiership of John Major, recognised over a thousand individuals across fields including public service, the arts, science, and industry. It also included awards for gallantry in the face of danger, continuing a long tradition of the British honours system.

Life Peers

The list of life peerages created elevated several prominent figures to the House of Lords, strengthening its expertise. Notable appointees included former Conservative MP and minister John Wakeham, who became Baron Wakeham, and distinguished academic Brian Flowers, the former Rector of Imperial College London. Industrialist and philanthropist John Sainsbury also received a peerage, joining other newly minted peers like former BBC Chairman Marmaduke Hussey and trade unionist Bill Jordan.

Privy Counsellors

Appointment to the Privy Council was conferred upon senior politicians and public servants, granting them the style "The Right Honourable". New members included the Government Chief Whip Tim Renton, the Attorney General Sir Patrick Mayhew, and the Lord Advocate for Scotland, Peter Fraser. These appointments were made on the advice of the Prime Minister following their service in high office.

Knights Bachelor

The honour of knighthood was bestowed upon 45 men for exceptional contributions. Recipients included renowned conductor Simon Rattle, then of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and celebrated actor John Gielgud. In public service, David Hannay, the UK Ambassador to the UN, was knighted, as was senior civil servant Peter Levene, the former Chief of Defence Procurement. Industrial leaders like John Banham, Director-General of the Confederation of British Industry, were also recognised.

Order of the Bath

Appointments to the Order of the Bath, a chivalric order, predominantly honoured senior military officers and civil servants. Prominent military recipients included General Peter Inge, then Commander-in-Chief of UK Land Forces, and Vice-Admiral John Kerr, a senior Royal Navy officer. On the civil side, Terence Heiser, the Permanent Secretary at the Department of the Environment, was appointed Knight Commander (KCB).

Order of the British Empire

The extensive list for the Order of the British Empire spanned all five classes. Appointed as Dame Commander (DBE) were figures such as novelist A.S. Byatt and the Director of the Royal National Theatre, Judi Dench. Notable Commanders (CBE) included actor Michael Gambon, astronomer Jocelyn Bell Burnell, and Royal Shakespeare Company director Terry Hands. Hundreds of Officers (OBE) and Members (MBE) were recognised for services from local charity work to scientific research.

Order of the Companions of Honour

The prestigious Order of the Companions of Honour, limited to 65 members, saw two new appointments. They were awarded to former Prime Minister Edward Heath, recognising his long political career and service as Conservative Leader, and to the eminent historian Hugh Trevor-Roper, the former Regius Professor of Modern History at the University of Oxford. Membership in this order is a singular distinction for contributions to national life.

Gallantry and Bravery Awards

The list included several awards for gallantry, separate from the honours for service. The George Medal was awarded posthumously to Police Constable Keith Blakelock for his courage during the Broadwater Farm riot in Tottenham. The Queen's Gallantry Medal was given to individuals like Michael Underwood for rescuing people from a sinking vessel in the North Sea. Numerous British Empire Medals (BEM) were also awarded for acts of bravery by police, fire service personnel, and civilians.