Exeter alumnus awarded British Empire Medal for services to charity and environment

Exeter College alumnus Richard Astle (1983, Modern History) has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King’s New Year Honours List for his exceptional contributions to environmental conservation and community charity work. 

Richard’s commitment to charitable work began at ExVac in 1986 and 1987. 

Richard is a former Chair of Natural Cambridgeshire and a driving force behind numerous environmental initiatives in Cambridgeshire. He was Treasurer of the Wildlife Trusts of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire from 2005-10. As Chair of the Langdyke Countryside Trust since 2012, he has championed local conservation projects, including the creation of wildflower meadows, rewilding efforts, and educational programmes to inspire community engagement with nature. His leadership has significantly shaped the region’s environmental landscape, including through the launch of the Doubling Nature initiative adopted by the Combined Authority of Cambridgeshire and by connecting people and wildlife through hands-on restoration work. 

In addition to his environmental achievements, Richard has been a longstanding supporter of several charities in a purely voluntary capacity. He was chair of SHINE, the national Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association for 13 years. Most recently he has dedicated his time to supporting the cause of Ukrainian communities, both in Ukraine and in Poland.  He established Helping Our Ukrainian Friends, which has to date made 24 deliveries of aid and assistance and raised over £400,000 for Ukraine.  Richard has visited Ukraine five times since the war began, most recently in March when he drove a convoy of 4×4 vehicles from Bucharest to Kyiv. In June he will be volunteering at a residential camp for Ukrainian war widows in central Poland. 

His work has helped foster community resilience and sustainability, often bridging the gap between policy, grassroots action, and public education. Speaking about the honour, Richard remarked that he was “delighted and surprised,” and credited “a fantastic team of volunteers and staff” for their shared success. 

Exeter College warmly congratulates Richard on this remarkable achievement. 

Richard Astle (on the left) delivering 4x4s for Ukrainian military medical units in March this year.