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Honours and Appointments Secretariat

Head of the Honours and Appointments Secretariat and Ceremonial Officer

Denis Brennan

Introduction

The Honours and Appointments Secretariat manages the UK honours system which is used to reward people for merit, service or bravery. The Secretariat is responsible for matters related to honours, civilian gallantry awards, other civilian service awards and senior state and church appointments.

What are our key responsibilities?

• Preparation of the Prime Minister's half-yearly lists
• The provision of advice on all honours matters to the Head of the Home Civil Service
• Coordinating policy on the award of decorations and medals in the UK; providing advice as necessary to government departments in particular the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence
• The receipt, acknowledgement and processing of honours nominations made by members of the public
• Policy on, and assessment of, individual cases leading to civilian gallantry awards
• The assessment and processing of recommendations for the Imperial Service Medal
• Supporting No.10 and the Palace in dealing with senior state and church appointments
• Honours Forfeiture Committee 

Further information and contact details

Guidance for departments and the public on the UK honours system and how to nominate someone for an award can be found on the UK Honours System pages on the Directgov website [External website].

Telephone: 020 7276 2777
e-mail: honours@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk

The Honours and Appointments Secretariat aim to respond to all correspondence within 15 working days. Current performance against this standard is outlined below.