2026 Award Winners
From L to R: Sir John Ritblat FRICS, Anthony Cleary OBE, John McCutchan, Jeremy Griffin, Baroness Ros Altmann CBE, Margaret-Anne Tibbs, Michael Sternberg OBE KC KCFO, Wyndford Ellis Owen, Professor Juraj Ivanyi, Bob Dalgleish
On 23rd April 2026, the Sigmund Sternberg Charitable Foundation hosted the annual Times Sternberg Active Life Awards, in the Stateroom at 11 Downing Street with the kind permission of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Jeremy Griffin, Executive Editor of the Times, spoke in honour of The Awards and Baroness Ros Altmann CBE presented the prizes to the winners, which were provided by the Sternberg Trustees.
This year, the overall winner was Prof. Juraj Ivanyi. Born in 1934 in eastern Slovakia, Juraj survived the Second World War, communist persecution and exile before making Britain his home after the Prague Spring of 1968. He went on to become one of the UK's foremost tuberculosis researchers, holding senior roles at the Wellcome Laboratories and the MRC. Since turning 70, he has authored 32 scientific papers, led a Horizon 2020 TB vaccine project, and continues to mentor researchers and attend international conferences now in his 92nd year.
Congratulations to all the worthy winners!
Runner up winners were...
Margaret-Anne Tibbs Now in her late 80s and facing her own significant health challenges, Margaret-Anne co-founded the Tibbs Dementia Foundation 13 years ago and remains its driving force. Under her leadership, it has grown into Bedfordshire's foremost dementia charity, transforming the lives of thousands of families. Her belief that the person with dementia must remain at the heart of all decisions has shaped services, inspired practitioners and influenced national thinking. In 2018 the charity received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.
John McCutchan At 89, John McCutchan is still out in the woods clearing brambles from Beatons Wood on his East Sussex farm to prepare for the annual Bluebell Walk he created back in 1972. What began as a fundraiser for the local primary school now welcomes over 20,000 visitors each year, with all proceeds going directly to local charities. In the 19 years since he turned 70, John has helped those charities raise over £1,000,000.
Anthony Cleary OBE Since retiring from the judiciary, His Honour Anthony Cleary OBE has dedicated himself to supporting the vicitims of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Since 2022 he has personally led eight ambulance missions, covering thousands of miles per journey, and raised funds through JustGiving campaigns, private donations and his own pocket to purchase vehicles and medical supplies. A man of quiet, extraordinary compassion, he also raised a son rescued from a Romanian orphanage, Anthony continues to sing in the Coventry Cathedral choir every Sunday and serve on the Parole Board.
Bob Dalgleish When Bob's daughter was diagnosed with Fanconi Anaemia aged six, life expectancy was around 18. She is now an adult - in no small part thanks to what her father built. A former space research manager with no medical background, Bob co-founded Fanconi Hope in 2008 and has since created FA Europe, an international network spanning 13 countries, and the Virtual Tumour Advisory Board, a cross-border system connecting 62 specialists to ensure no clinician faces this devastating condition alone.
Wyndford Ellis Owen A celebrated actor and television personality, Wynford's career was derailed by addiction - but his recovery became the foundation for something remarkable. Now 78, he retrained as an addiction therapist, won a Winston Churchill Fellowship and founded The Living Room in Cardiff: a pioneering recovery centre offering counselling, family therapy, holistic support and a recovery radio station.
Photo credits: acumennimages