MBEs awarded to GOSH Charity fundraiser and neurosurgeon at GOSH
16 Jun 2025, 2:37 p.m.
We’re incredibly proud that the King’s Birthday Honours list, announced on 14 June 2025, includes two members of the GOSH community.
GOSH Charity fundraising patron James Hatchley and Professor Noor Ul Owase Jeelani Professor of Paediatric Neurosurgery at GOSH, have both been awarded MBEs.
The King's Birthday Honours celebrates people across the UK for outstanding achievements and contributions to society.
“This recognition will serve to remind me of all the amazing professionals who helped us when Emma was treated at GOSH”
James Hatchley has been recognised for his exceptional fundraising efforts for GOSH Charity.
James has been fundraising in memory of his daughter, Emma, since 2014.
Together with his family and friends, he formed “Team Hatch” - an endurance sports team which has participated in dozens of long-distance triathlons, marathons and ultra marathons and other physical feats across the world.
James's daughter Emma
So far, James and his team has raised over £1.2 million for GOSH Charity. The money raised has gone towards many areas of GOSH, including advanced medical equipment and redevelopment of vital patient spaces.
His fundraising efforts have particularly focused on supporting pioneering research into rare autoimmune and autoinflammatory conditions in children. These are challenging diseases to diagnose, and the money raised has allowed research teams at GOSH to introduce new diagnostic tests into routine practice in the NHS. In turn, this means children can have more targeted treatment and a better understanding of their conditions.
Last year, James’s phenomenal fundraising was also celebrated at GOSH Charity HQ as part of our Together for Childhood Awards. You can watch his video on our awards page.
James was Non-Executive Director at Great Ormond Street Hospital from 2016-2022 serving latterly as Deputy Chair and Senior Independent Director.
James says of his award:
“This recognition will serve to remind me of all the amazing professionals who helped us when Emma was treated at GOSH and spur me, and my teammates, on to continue to raise further funds to help the children and families that use its services.”
“We remain committed to working towards a better future for children both in the UK, and globally”
Professor Jeelani, a leading specialist in paediatric neurosurgery, craniofacial reconstructive surgery and craniopagus separation surgery, has received an MBE for his services to neurosurgery and global child health.
He joined GOSH in 2000 and was Head of the Department of Neurosurgery from 2012-2018, where he played a pivotal role in expanding the department into one of the largest paediatric neurosurgery services in the world.
He is recognised internationally as an expert in the separation of craniopagus twins (twins joined at the skull), undertaking procedures both as an NHS surgeon at GOSH and globally as part of his work with the charity he established, Gemini Untwined.
Professor Jeelani says:
“It is an honour to receive this MBE, and I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the teams at Great Ormond Street Hospital, University College London and Gemini Untwined.
“This recognition is not just a reflection of my work, but of the dedication and passion of every colleague and team member who has been part of this journey and I share this achievement with them. We remain committed to working towards a better future for children both in the UK, and globally. All children are equally precious and it is our collective responsibility to look after them.”