Celebrating Rt Hon Lord Kakkar KG KBE

Appropriately, on St George’s Day 2024, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles III had appointed Howard de Walden Director, Rt Hon Lord Kakkar KG KBE, as a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

The Order of the Garter is Britain’s oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry, and this honour is in recognition of Lord Kakkar's immense contribution to healthcare and public service. Lord Kakkar was Chair of the Judicial Appointment Commission from 2016 to 2022 and Chair of the House of Lords Appointments Commission from 2013 to 2018.

Having originally studied medicine at King’s College London before receiving his PhD from Imperial College, Lord Kakkar has dedicated his career to the prevention and treatment of venous and arterial thromboembolic diseases and cancer associated thrombosis.

Lord Kakkar is President of the Thrombosis Research Institute, Chair of King’s Health Partners and Chair of The King’s Fund, a charitable healthcare organisation of which His Majesty, when Prince of Wales, served as President. He is also Chair of the Royal Commission for the 1851 Great Exhibition and of UK Biobank.

Sir William Proby, Chairman “Everyone at Howard de Walden is thrilled and delighted by the news of Lord Kakkar's appointment to the Order of the Garter. With no more than 24 Knights and Ladies Companion at any time and appointments at the sole discretion of His Majesty the King, we congratulate Lord Kakkar on this highest honour. His appointment befits his contribution to healthcare and public service.”