20th May 2026
Our CEO, Alison Morton, was awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales during an investiture ceremony held at Windsor Castle yesterday.
Alison Morton OBE at Windsor Castle
Alison received the honour in recognition of her contributions to health visiting over a career spanning more than three decades. The ceremony, attended by family and close friends, took place in the historic surroundings of Windsor Castle, where Prince William personally presented the insignia.
Speaking after the ceremony, Alison said:
“I feel incredibly honoured to receive this award and very fortunate to do work I genuinely care about. In my view, there can be no greater investment than investing in our babies, young children and their families who represent our nation’s future and are navigating an ever-changing world. Throughout my career, my greatest teachers have been the dedicated professionals and tens of thousands of families who’ve taught me that high-quality, compassionate and personalised care in the earliest years really matters, inequalities are not inevitable, and all children deserve an equal chance to achieve their full potential.
“It has also been a privilege to work within a growing global movement highlighting the importance of ensuring that every child has the chance to lead a happy, healthy life – regardless of where they live, their abilities or background – and to see this gaining a much higher profile across government, policy and businesses across the world.”
Alison Morton OBE at Windsor Castle
Alison went on to say:
“This recognition shines a light on the crucial role of health visiting in strengthening family health and wellbeing. So much of what they do happens quietly, often out of the public eye, and does not get the recognition it deserves. I’m proud to share this with health visitors and colleagues across the UK who are all committed to helping children get the very best start in life – and through the Institute, we will continue to champion the profession and strive to ensure that every family has access to the support they need in the early years.”
During the investiture, Prince William spent time speaking with recipients about their contributions. The OBE is awarded to individuals who have played a significant role at national or regional level, making distinguished contributions in their field. Yesterday’s recipients came from a wide range of backgrounds, including education, healthcare, the arts, and public service.
