Two prominent figures in the insurance industry, Cathryn Riley and Dhruv Patel, have been awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in Britain’s 2026 New Year Honours list. The awards were announced on January 2, 2026, and recognize their services to business leadership, inclusion, civic leadership, and charity.
Cathryn Riley, a former executive at Aviva, was awarded a CBE for her services to business leadership and inclusion. She has held senior roles in several financial services organizations, including the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which compensates customers when financial firms fail. Riley has also held executive positions at CGU, Aviva, Bupa, PwC, and British Airways, and currently serves as an independent non-executive director and chairs the remuneration committee at Nucleus Financial.
Dhruv Patel, a Lloyd’s of London member, was awarded a CBE for his services to civic leadership and charity. He already held an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) and has been recognized for his work in the insurance market. Patel has written on LinkedIn that honors are not destinations, but reminders of responsibility, and that recognition should translate into continued work that helps others thrive.
The New Year Honours list is a prestigious annual roll-call of people recognized by the King for their service in public life, business, and charity. A CBE is a senior grade in the UK’s honors system, and these awards highlight the importance of inclusion and civic work in the insurance industry. The awards come at the start of a new business year, when executive profiles and board credentials are under fresh scrutiny.
Non-executive directors like Riley and Patel play a crucial role in overseeing strategy, risk, and governance from the boardroom, and their awards recognize their contributions to the industry. The awards also demonstrate the value placed on inclusion and civic leadership in the insurance sector, and the importance of recognizing and rewarding individuals who have made significant contributions to these areas. Overall, the awards are a testament to the dedication and hard work of Riley and Patel, and serve as a reminder of the importance of responsible leadership in the insurance industry.