Cabinet secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell was given a GCB, making him a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath. Meanwhile, the permanent secretary of the Department for Education becomes Sir David Bell as a Knight Commander of the Bath (KCB).

Dr Gill Rider, the former director-general of the civil service capability review group in the Cabinet Office, received a CB, as did David Green, the former director of the Revenue and Customs Prosecution Office – which was absorbed by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Current civil servants receiving CBs include Richard Heaton, the director-general of strategy, information and pensions in the Department for Work and Pensions; and Peter Houten, director of the academies, policy and schools organisation group in the Department for Education.

Dr Martin Read, the efficiency adviser and board member at the Efficiency and Reform Group, was awarded a CBE.

In all, one civil servant was given a GCB, one a GCMG, one a KCB, two a DCMG or KCMG, three Knights Bachelor, six CBs, six CMGs, 20 CBEs, 45 OBEs and 59 MBEs

Written by CSW