Dr Alexander Rhys Awarded OBE
Dr Alexander Rhys has been appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year Honours 2026 for services to healthcare and the LGBTQ+ community.
Whilst studying at the University of Bath, Worshipful Brother Dr Rhys was Initiated into St Alphege Lodge at the age of 21 as part of the Universities Scheme, and previously served as Assistant Secretary of that Scheme. He holds both London Grand Rank and London Grand Chapter Rank, having served as Metropolitan Grand Steward in both the Craft and Chapter. He is also a Past Provincial Junior Grand Deacon in the Province of Somerset.
He is currently CEO of two organisations: the Infection Prevention Society, a professional membership organisation with over 2,050 members working to reduce healthcare-associated infections, and It Gets Better UK, a charity he founded in 2017 that has reached over 2.5 million LGBTQ+ young people through crisis intervention and support programmes.
“I’m deeply honoured by this recognition,” said Dr Rhys. “The principles of Freemasonry – Integrity, Friendship, Respect and Service – have guided my approach to both my healthcare work and my advocacy for LGBTQ+ young people. Whether working to protect patients from infections or supporting young people in crisis, I’ve been driven by a commitment to serve others and act with integrity.”
Dr Rhys’s healthcare career includes leading the regulatory education arrangements that enabled the emergency deployment of 43,000 student nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic across all four UK nations.
It Gets Better UK, which he founded as part of the global movement, has twice been named one of the top 10 charities of the year at the British LGBT Awards, and Dr Rhys has been recognised as one of the top 10 outstanding contributors to LGBT life at the awards.
He holds a PhD in Molecular Oncology from Queen Mary University of London and a Master’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Bath. He runs The Leadership Nook, an executive coaching practice focused on sustainable leadership and burnout prevention, and serves as a trustee of the Quaker Mental Health Fund.
Congratulations Brother Alex!
A much younger Alex on the left – November 2011
