A leading cardiologist from the NIHR BRC: Leicester has been awarded an MBE for his services to medical research and healthcare as part of the King’s Birthday Honours
Professor Andre Ng is Professor of Cardiac Electrophysiology and former head of the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences at the University of Leicester, and also a Consultant Cardiologist at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.
Professor Ng said: “I am humbled and deeply honoured to receive the MBE for services to medical research and healthcare. Caring for patients and contributing to research that advances understanding, innovation and treatment have been among the most rewarding aspects of my professional life.
“This recognition reflects the contributions of many outstanding colleagues and teams with whom I have had the privilege to work at the University of Leicester, the British Cardiovascular Society and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. Together, across preclinical science, engineering innovation, clinical research and clinical trials, we have sought to translate discovery into better care and improved outcomes for patients.”
He added: “I am particularly grateful to my family, mentors, collaborators and fellow colleagues, whose unwavering encouragement, support and friendship have sustained me throughout my career. This honour is shared with them and with all those whose dedication to advancing patient care and research continues to inspire me every day.”
Born and brought up in Hong Kong, Professor Ng came to the UK as an overseas student after A-levels to study medicine at the University of Glasgow where he obtained his medical degree in 1989 and started his house jobs, and then medical training, obtaining membership of the Royal College of Physicians in 1992.
He started clinical cardiology training, which was followed by completing a British Heart Foundation-funded research studentship which led to his PhD in 1998. Professor Ng was appointed clinical lecturer and senior registrar at the University of Birmingham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, respectively. He came to Leicester in 2002 as Senior Lecturer at the University and an Honorary Consultant Cardiologist at Glenfield Hospital. In 2013, Professor Ng was awarded Personal Chair in Cardiac Electrophysiology.
Professor Ng was Head of Department of Cardiovascular Sciences from April 2020 to July 2025, steering the research-focussed department through the challenges during the pandemic to emerge with strong research income and output. He also led the successful bid for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Research Excellence Award with Leicester named for the first time as one of eight BHF Centres of Research Excellence in the country – the five year award started in October 2024 – which he is leading now as director.
Professor Ng’s research in his own group spans the full translational spectrum across fundamental science, clinical research, engineering and AI, to clinical trials focussing on important areas in heart rhythm management.
The ground-breaking LifeMap programme translated findings from preclinical experiments into two patent-granted novel clinical ECG markers for sudden death risk stratification, funded by the Medical Research Council and National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
With European Space Agency funding, Professor Ng led to the team to develop an innovative mobile app P-STEP (Personalised Space Technology Exercise Platform) to give patients with long-term heart and lung conditions advice on exercising outdoors, taking into account satellite data on air pollution, weather and pollen count.
The award-winning AF Virtual Ward BHF-funded project, meanwhile, uses digital technology to treat acute patients with atrial fibrillation in the comfort of their own home – a key priority of the ‘Hospital to Community’ shift in the new NHS 10 Year Health Plan – which is being upscaled to other NHS sites.
Professor Ng has been president of the British Cardiovascular Society (BCS) since 2024, having led the Centenary working group in 2022 as vice president to celebrate the oldest professional cardiology society in the world. Under his leadership as president, the BCS focusses on the key missions of training and education of the cardiovascular workforce, championing clinical excellence and thought leadership. The Society has an expanding reach internationally with strong collaborations with cardiological societies world-wide.
Professor Ng was named National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Senior Investigator earlier this year, one of the highest honours in UK health research. Senior Investigators play a vital role in shaping the future of UK health research, supporting the development of clinical research leaders and driving improvements in patient care.
University President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Nishan Canagarajah, said: “Recognition with an award by His Majesty The King is the highest accolade possible and, on behalf of us all, we congratulate Professor Ng upon his success.
“At Leicester, we take pride in our community being Citizens of Change, forming a powerful network that delivers real-world benefits in the locality, nationally and internationally. Professor Ng and his colleagues exemplify this and their pioneering work has had global impact.”
Richard Mitchell, Chief Executive of University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group, said: “I would like to congratulate Professor Ng on his well-deserved recognition. Professor Ng is a great example of the strength of the University of Leicester and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust partnership and his research group is of global significance. I am delighted for him and I am grateful for the difference he continues to make.”
Find out more about the Cardiovascular theme of the NIHR BRC Leicester here: Cardiovascular – NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre