The start of 2025 has special significance for Kidney Research UK this year, as our chief executive Sandra Currie is named as the recipient of an OBE.
Sandra has been named as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of Services to People Affected by Kidney Disease, in the King’s 2025 New Year Honours list.
Having been CEO of Kidney Research UK for more than 12 years, Sandra has overseen significant growth in the charity’s activities and research funding, with more than £71 million invested in research in the last decade, alongside raising awareness of the disease and championing the needs of kidney patients and their loved ones amongst government, NHS, policy makers and industry.
The impact of kidney disease
“For patients, their families and anyone working in the field, the devastation that kidney disease causes to people’s lives is well known,” said Sandra.
“Yet, despite it affecting around ten per cent of the UK population, there is still a long way to go to make recognising, preventing and treating kidney disease a real priority.
“Today, as I’m taking in the honour of being recognised in this way, around 22 people in the UK will start their year needing ongoing treatment because their kidneys have failed, and there will be another 22 each day throughout 2025.
“This disease affects every part of someone’s life and we cannot stop or slow down our work to tackle it.”
Reflecting on the award
The Order of the British Empire was established in 1917 by King George V for those who had served in non-combative roles, and it was later expanded to reward contributions to the arts, sciences, charitable work and public service.
The award is given to those considered to be distinguished through achievement or service to the community.
Reflecting on learning she was to be given the award, Sandra added:
“My strength in this role, leading Kidney Research UK, comes entirely from the people who share their lives with me.
“Everyone who has told me of the devastation kidney disease has brought to them and their families, every researcher who has shared their passion and innovation as they search for answers to end kidney disease, and everyone who supports and funds our work from all corners of the UK.
“They remind me daily of the great need for our work and keep me focused on the urgency for the charity to do more. We are one great team of people who work and volunteer for the charity, I am completely honoured to have been nominated and to be receiving this recognition for what we have achieved together.”
About Kidney Research UK
Kidney Research UK is the leading charity in the UK focused on funding research into the prevention, treatment and management of kidney disease. Its vision is the day when everyone lives free from kidney disease and for more than 60 years the research it funds has been making an impact.
This website was launched by Kidney Research UK and Give a Kidney – a charity devoted to living kidney donation – as part of the Robert Dangoor Partnership for Living Kidney Donation. Together, our aim is to raise awareness of living kidney donation and help more people understand what it means to be a living donor, as well as supporting and guiding them through their donation journey.
