Dr Carol Homden, Chief Executive of the London-Based Thomas Coram Foundation for Children, known as Coram, has been named Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2026 New Year Honours List. The accolade recognises her exceptional work supporting children, young people, and families across the UK.
Dr Homden has led Coram since 2007, having previously been commercial director at the Prince’s Trust from 2003. She has also served as Chair of the National Autistic Society for ten years and currently chairs Diabetes UK. Her previous roles include membership of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales, seven years on the Adoption Leadership Board, and trusteeship of the Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health. She was awarded a CBE in 2013 for her contributions to children and families.
Professor Ivor Crewe, President and Chair of the Coram Board of Trustees, said: “All who work and volunteer for Coram will be thrilled by the news of Carol’s honour. It is due recognition of her inexhaustible devotion to the welfare of the nation’s children over close to twenty years, and her inspired leadership of Coram. Without her energy, resourcefulness and dedication, worthy of our founder Captain Thomas Coram, Coram would not have developed into one of Britain’s leading children’s charities, committed to improving the lives of all vulnerable children, however hard their circumstances.”
Dr Homden said: “It is humbling and overwhelming to receive such an honour. It is my privilege to work with dedicated staff, volunteers and supporters across health, education, law and social care as we together strive to support children and families who experience adversity to create better chances for children now, and advance research and policy to build a better future for society.”
Under Dr Homden’s leadership, Coram has expanded its work supporting hundreds of thousands of children and families annually. She has overseen innovative programmes in adoption and fostering, sibling contact, and initiatives to amplify the voices of young people through youth insight and ambassador programmes. She also established the Coram Institute for Children, the UK’s first research institute of its kind, seeking evidence-based solutions to the challenges children face in the 21st century across policy, law, and practice.
Dr Homden’s personal and professional commitment is informed by her own family experience. She is married to author and designer Steve Caplin, and they have two sons, the eldest of whom is autistic and supported in Mildenhall, Suffolk.
Coram, founded as the Foundling Hospital in 1739, is the UK’s first and longest-running children’s charity. Today, the Coram Group provides a wide range of services, including reading support, life skills, creative therapy, adoption services, legal advice, and training for early years and children’s social care professionals. The Coram Institute for Children is recognised as an Independent Research Organisation by UKRI, and all of the charity’s work is guided by seven key outcomes for children and young people: access to education and justice, a loving home, a voice that’s heard, opportunities to shine, skills for the future, equality of opportunity regardless of where children live, and building a society that cares.
