Two distinguished Wandsworth residents have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours 2025, with awards celebrating their leadership and lifelong commitment to public service and education.
Rasheed Nicholas John Pendry – OBE
Director of Practice, Children’s Services, Wandsworth Borough Council
Rasheed Pendry has been appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to children and family social care. A senior figure in Wandsworth’s Children’s Services, Pendry has played a pivotal role in transforming frontline practice, supporting vulnerable families, and improving safeguarding outcomes for local children.
Colleagues say Pendry’s approach has brought a renewed focus on early intervention and restorative social work, with a strong emphasis on listening to the voices of children and families. His leadership has been especially important in a borough managing high caseloads and diverse social challenges.
The award, confirmed on 14 June 2025 as part of the official honours list, reflects Pendry’s sustained commitment to improving lives at the heart of local government.
Phil Walker – CBE
Chair of Council, University of Roehampton
Phil Walker has been awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to higher education. As Chair of Council at the University of Roehampton, Walker has overseen a period of reform and renewal at one of London’s most community-focused universities.
His tenure has been marked by a deep commitment to access, outreach, and governance reform, ensuring the institution remains both academically ambitious and socially rooted. Walker is widely credited with strengthening the university’s civic mission, fostering local partnerships, and mentoring new generations of education leaders.
A respected figure in higher education governance, Walker’s honour recognises his influential role in both strategic leadership and community impact across South West London.
Local Pride
Wandsworth Council and the University of Roehampton have welcomed the honours as a reflection of the borough’s deep public service values. Both recipients live and work in the borough, with careers dedicated to making Wandsworth a fairer, more inclusive place to grow up and learn.
Their inclusion in this year’s King’s Honours shines a spotlight on the borough’s ongoing contributions to social care and education at a national level.
