Indian-origin professional makes it to the Queen’s Honours List

Devina Banerjee has been awarded the MBE for her work with the United Kingdom’s Vaccine Task Force in the fight against COVID-19

“I didn't know it was even possible to get an honour so early in your career ,” says Devina Banerjee. The 25-year-old officer in the British Civil Service recently received the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) award for her contributions to the fight against COVID-19. “My team nominated me and it feels very personal to be recognised for your work". Devina’s roots lie in India; her father, a consultant surgeon is from Kolkata, and her mother, a financial advisor hails from Mahe in South India. Born in London, Devina studied at King's College School and at the University of Cambridge. She joined the Civil Service in 2019 and worked on Brexit-related trade negotiations before volunteering to be part of the Vaccine Task Force, which was formed in May 2020 to streamline the development and distribution of a vaccine programme for the country. “The mood in the country in May last year, when the VTF was formed, was very dark. I remember feeling a real sense of motivation to contribute as much as I could under those circumstances. We began working at a great pace. We knew that this was very important work and that gave us all a common mission,” she says.