Sheffield Children’s Chair receives CBE

Professor Laura Serrant, Chair of Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) by the Princess Royal at a ceremony at Windsor Castle on Tuesday 29 October. 

Receiving this award acts as the culmination of a special ten months since being appointed to her position at Sheffield Children’s for Professor Serrant, who also received the coveted Freedom of the City of London award earlier this year. Professor Serrant commented: “Receiving this CBE feels really special, as it’s described as a recognition of long-term sustained impact and contribution. I think it neatly concludes the previous chapter of my career with Health Education England and in higher education and propels me into the future of my career continuing to support children and young people at Sheffield Children’s.”

Professor Serrant attended the event alongside close family members and showed her gratitude for their continued support throughout her career. She said: “I was honoured to accept my CBE, and it was certainly a special moment to share it with my family and close friends. I’m proud of the work that I have been a part of during my career and want to say huge thank you to all who have supported me in pursuing equity in healthcare and education, and making sure that practice and policy is inclusive for all.”

The title of CBE is the highest honour that can be bestowed on any individual as part of the British honours system, besides a damehood or knighthood. New recipients of these honours are announced twice a year by His Majesty The King, in recognition of a nominee’s outstanding contribution to public life. Professor Serrant joins an illustrious group of individuals, who have held significant positions regionally or nationally and those who have made a substantial contribution or innovation in their field, who currently hold the title of CBE.

Since assuming the role of Chair at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust in January 2024, Professor Serrant has overseen the decisions made by members of the Executive team, making sure that they are in the best interests of our Sheffield Children’s community and working towards building a healthier future for children and young people. Professor Serrant said: “This role brings together different elements that I’ve developed over the course of my career, but also some new things too. I try to draw on all of these elements to bring a different scrutiny to the actions that we take as a trust, making sure that we reflect the diversity of the patients and families that we work with. Drawing on my own lived experience, I want to make sure that all families have access to an organisation that delivers outstanding care.”

Having previously spent time on the former Orthopaedic ward at Sheffield Children’s whilst training as a nurse at Sheffield City Polytechnic in 1983, Professor Serrant returned to the Trust after 40 years away. She said: “I loved my time at Sheffield Children’s as a nurse at the beginning of my career. I started my professional career in Sheffield and I was very excited by the prospect of returning. Looking back, I could never have imagined that I would be leading the organisation four decades later. It was a lovely full-circle moment to walk back through these doors for the first time in my position as Chair.

“I take this position incredibly seriously and have really been struck by not only the warmth and openness of the amazing staff and community at Sheffield Children’s, but the sense of family and purpose that we all share. We’re all working towards a common goal, and we mustn’t lose sight of that.”

We’d like to offer a huge Sheffield Children’s congratulations to Professor Serrant for her achievement and cannot wait to continue working together in future.