Wolverhampton university professor honoured by Princess Anne at Windsor Castle
A leading professor at Wolverhampton University was formally appointed an MBE in a ceremony at Windsor Castle.
Professor Sharon Arkell, associate dean for strategic health partnerships at the university, was presented with silver medal by Princess Anne.
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Prof Arkell was recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List in June 2025 for her outstanding services to higher education. The award acknowledges her long‑standing contributions to health education and her support for students, professionals and the wider community.
Professor Arkell MBE said: “It was a very proud moment for me and my family when I received my MBE from Princess Anne at Windsor Castle in January.
"It's not something that I ever thought I would receive and I'm very grateful to the person who nominated me and recognised my work achievements, none of which would have been possible without the support of the many people I have worked with over the years.”
Professor Arkell has worked for 27 years in higher education, including 20 years with the university, where she has held several leadership roles, most recently serving as dean of the faculty of education, health and wellbeing.
Her career began in the NHS as a registered nurse, and her experience as a mature student and the first person in her family to go to university shaped her long‑standing commitment to widening access to education.
The university said that throughout her time, Prof Arkell helped expand its healthcare education provision, developed new programmes, and increased student numbers.
Her work has been pivotal in creating clear routes into healthcare careers for students from disadvantaged and underrepresented communities across the West Midlands, helping to build a more representative regional health workforce, the university added.
She has also made a significant national impact through her contribution to healthcare policy and regulation, including shaping the university’s response during the Covid‑19 pandemic and contributing to national policy groups focused on healthcare education.
Outside the university, she also serves on the Council of Deans of Health and has played a leadership role in regulatory policy.
