Dr Lewis Owens, a successful fundraiser, academic and writer has been awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for Charitable Service.
The award, announced in the King’s New Year’s Honours List, celebrates Lewis’s dedication to supporting voluntary services, particularly his role as Trustee with Autism Action since 2016 – previously known as the Autism Centre of Excellence.
Dr Lewis Owens said:
“I have been incredibly humbled to work with so many inspirational charities, organisations and individuals over the last 20 years. One such charity is Autism Action of which I am extremely proud to be a Trustee.
“Autistic people are still being marginalised, overlooked and left without a voice in many areas of everyday life, including mental health, education, employment and criminal justice.
“This is the reason Autism Action exists; to listen to and learn from the autistic community and to be guided by evidence-based research. Autism Action will not rest until all autistic people have their fundamental human rights met and I am honoured to be part of this mission.”
Tom Purser, CEO of Autism Action, said:
“This MBE could not be more deserved. Lewis is an insightful, inspiring person but above all he is understanding and kind, with a real drive to make a difference in the world. We are lucky to be able to count him as one of Autism Action’s trustees and supporters and I thank him for all the help and generosity he has given me and our charity.”
Lewis joined the charity as a Trustee in 2016. He has a successful career working in the education sector and is a former university lecturer. He has been a dedicated charity fundraiser and volunteer for over 20 years. Lewis has an autistic son and is author of the ‘Archie’s Way’ children’s books, with all proceeds going to autism charities. He has held a key role in the charity’s autism and suicide prevention research project. Lewis was awarded a PhD from the University of Cambridge in 2000 and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society in 2024.
By drawing on views from the autistic community and collaborating with some of the world’s leading researchers; Autism Action’s mission is to bring real, practical changes for autistic people in the areas that matter to them; employment, health, wellbeing and quality of life.
For further information, please contact: media@autismaction.org.uk
