Janet Wisely has been awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours list.
She is recognised for services to health and social care research.
Janet has worked in health and social care research for nearly 25 years, and announced in August that she is to step down as HRA Chief Executive.
She said she was “very proud” to receive the honour: “I hope that my colleagues past and present including staff, board members and volunteers at the HRA, will take some pride that this acknowledges all our efforts and success in improving the environment for research in the UK."
“I continue to watch HRA progress with a great deal of satisfaction and can reflect that I was fortunate to be able to work within and lead organisations that have had the ability to make a difference in improving patient care and treatment. “
Professor Jonathan Montgomery, HRA Chair, said: “Janet has made an outstanding contribution to the good governance of health and social care research over many years and I am delighted to hear that she has received this well-deserved recognition. She has been an inspiration to the HRA and its staff and tireless in promoting the interests of research participants. It has been a great privilege to work with her.”