12th June 2026
The Institute of Health Visiting (iHV) is delighted to learn that Dr Karen Whittaker, iHV Senior Lead for Education and Workforce, and Leanne Howlett, Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Nurse at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, have been recognised in The King’s Birthday Honours List 2026 for services to health visiting.
From left: Dr Karen Whittaker (iHV Senior Lead for Education and Workforce) and Leanne Howlett (Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Nurse at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust)
Dr Karen Whittaker
We were delighted to hear that iHV Senior Lead for Education and Workforce, Dr Karen Whittaker, who lives in Preston, Lancashire has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours list 2026. This prestigious award is for services to health visiting and recognises Karen’s significant contribution to health visitor practice, education and research over a period of 38 years.
Karen completed the University of Manchester, Bachelor of Nursing degree to qualify as a health visitor and nurse in 1989. She practised as a health visitor in the City of Salford. In 1998, she accepted an academic role as a health visitor Senior Lecturer and later Reader, at the University of Lancashire (formerly UCLan), where she completed her teaching qualifications. She was awarded an NHS research training fellowship award to complete her PhD, examining parents’ experiences of formal parenting support services. This was completed at King’s College London in 2008; where later she was seconded from UCLan to the National Nursing Research Unit involved in research for the coalition government’s 2011-2015 ‘Health Visitor Implementation Plan’. Within her academic role, Karen contributed to the health visitor knowledge base through research paper and book publishing, research network development, and doctoral research supervision and examination.
Alongside her academic work as an Associate Professor, Karen has mentored future nursing leaders and led national education networks. Her influence extends internationally, through work with UNICEF Europe and Central Asia and the International Step by Step Association (ISSA) – joining an international team to write and deliver early child development nurse home visiting training and e-learning materials.
In 2022, Karen joined the Institute of Health Visiting where she has worked with partners to publish a number of iHV workforce and education resources. Her recent work includes the design and delivery of an advanced leadership programme for health visitors: The Dame Elizabeth Fradd Leadership Programme: iHV Fellows. This has enabled health visitor fellowship scholars from across England and Wales to form a new community of practice and develop the means to work together to influence policy and practice for the benefit of babies, children and families.
Widely recognised for her integrity, expertise and compassionate leadership, Dr Whittaker’s contribution to public health nursing is regarded as both profound and far-reaching.
On hearing of her award, Karen said:
“I feel fortunate to have had a career that has given me so many rich experiences. Few other roles allow you the privilege to enter people’s private worlds, hear about their lives and aspirations. Health visiting has given that to me, and I owe this Award to that privilege. I am grateful to all the colleagues and many role models I’ve been fortunate to learn from and, most of all, from the support of my family and husband who have always stood by me and kept me going.”
Alison Morton OBE, iHV CEO, commented on Karen’s Award:
“I am thrilled to see Dr Karen Whittaker honoured with an MBE for her services to health visiting in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours – a fitting recognition of her exceptional dedication, impact and strong values in championing the profession and the babies, children and families we serve.
“Over a distinguished career spanning almost four decades, Karen has played a pivotal role in shaping health visiting across the UK and beyond. Her leadership has influenced national policy, strengthened education and professional standards, and advanced the evidence base through her research and academic work. Karen is also widely recognised for her compassionate and collaborative leadership, which has inspired and supported generations of practitioners – and through her current leadership of the iHV Fellows programme, she continues to nurture and grow future leaders, reflecting a career defined by excellence, innovation and profound impact.”
Leanne Howlett
iHV is also delighted that Leanne Howlett, Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Nurse at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, has been awarded a medallist of the order of the British Empire (BEM).
Leanne has spent almost a decade making a profound difference as a patient representative and tireless advocate for families affected by perinatal mental illness (PMI). A leading national parent voice, she has worked with organisations including the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV), Royal College of Psychiatrists, Anna Freud Centre and Maternal Mental Health Alliance to raise awareness, influence policy and reduce stigma – regularly appearing in the media and speaking in Parliament.
Following her own lived experience, she founded the charity By Your Side in 2017, providing vital peer support to families in Coventry and Warwickshire, alongside community initiatives such as Stay and Play sessions, and an annual awareness walk. She also established and chaired the Coventry and Warwickshire Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership, helping drive improvements in local services, and has contributed to national training for health visitors and midwives. Through her campaigning, including support for the iHV and NSPCC “Fight for a Fair Start” initiative, and her wider policy influence, Leanne has made a lasting impact on perinatal mental health care, health visiting services, and the wellbeing of families across the UK.
Alison Morton OBE, iHV CEO, commented on Leanne’s Award:
“I’m delighted to see Leanne recognised nationally for her outstanding commitment to supporting families affected by perinatal mental illness and the health visiting services that support them. Through her work with the Institute of Health Visiting and other national partners, Leanne has brought vital lived experience into training, policy and practice – helping to improve care and challenge stigma. Leanne has also been a powerful and courageous voice for change, and her dedication over many years has made a real and lasting difference to families and services alike. This recognition is incredibly well deserved.”
