Karen Addington awarded MBE for services to people with type 1 diabetes

The CEO of Breakthrough T1D UK has been awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List, in recognition of her exceptional services to people with type 1 diabetes.

The award recognises Karen Addington’s dedication and impact over the past 20 years at Breakthrough T1D, where, through her determined leadership, she has propelled the organisation through remarkable growth and change.

As both a respected thought leader among stakeholders and an inspirational presence at community events, Karen has become a trusted and central figure within the type1 diabetes community. Because of her leadership, the charity has more than quadrupled its investment in research and expanded its reach to support thousands of people and families.

She has championed real, practical advances in treatment, helping to expand access to technologies like continuous glucose monitoring and hybrid closed loop systems which help deliver insulin automatically.

At the same time, Karen has kept the search for a cure firmly at the heart of Breakthrough T1D’s mission, ensuring Breakthrough T1D continues to fund and drive the most promising global research.

Her ongoing commitment is creating meaningful change for everyone affected by type 1 diabetes.

She has inspired strategic impact and collaboration in the UK and internationally, among researchers, policy makers and people living with type 1 diabetes.

In 2024 she led the organisational rebranding from Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to Breakthrough T1D, reflecting the determination to prevent, treat and cure type 1 diabetes.

Reacting to the announcement, Karen said: “I’m truly honoured and a little overwhelmed to receive this recognition. But this award really belongs to the incredible type 1 diabetes community and the dedicated team I’m lucky to work alongside.

“I’ve just played a small part in something much bigger, supporting people living with type 1 diabetes and pushing for progress in care, understanding and research. I’m grateful every day to be part of this important work.”

Phil Aird-Mash, Breakthrough T1D Chair said: “This is a well-deserved recognition of Karen’s extraordinary passion and commitment to the global type 1 diabetes community.

“Over the years, she has driven remarkable progress in both treatments and research, helping to transform the landscape of type 1 diabetes care.

“Her work has supported many thousands of people living with type 1 diabetes and their families and fuelled hope for a cure.

“Thank you Karen, for everything that you have accomplished in your time at Breakthrough T1D.”

Karen will receive the award at a formal investiture ceremony later this year.