Dr Tim Allison, who retired from NHS Highland earlier this year, has been appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the New Year's Honours List for services to the NHS in Scotland.
Dr Allison served as Director of Public Health and Policy at NHS Highland from July 2020 until his retirement in summer 2025, leading the health board's public health response during the COVID-19 pandemic and driving forward work on health inequalities and inclusion across Highland.
During his tenure, Dr Allison provided clear, accessible guidance to Highland communities throughout the pandemic, translating complex Scottish Government policies into practical advice that helped protect public health across one of Scotland's most geographically challenging areas. His leadership during this unprecedented period was characterised by calm, evidence-based communication and a commitment to ensuring all communities understood the measures needed to keep themselves and others safe.
Dr Allison also produced a series of influential public health reports focusing on inequalities and inclusion, establishing a strategic direction that continues to shape NHS Highland's approach to population health today.
Fiona Davies, Chief Executive of NHS Highland, said: "I am absolutely delighted that Tim's exceptional contribution to public health in Scotland has been recognised through this well-deserved MBE. Tim is a highly intelligent and articulate individual whose leadership during Covid was exemplar, providing clear guidance and interpretation of Scottish Government policies to the public during an extraordinarily challenging time.
"The public health reports he produced at Highland, with their focus on inequalities and inclusion, were leading edge and established a strategic direction we continue to implement following his retirement. His legacy continues to benefit our communities and we are enormously grateful for his dedication to improving health outcomes across Highland.
"On behalf of everyone at NHS Highland, I offer Tim our warmest congratulations on this honour."
Before joining NHS Highland, Dr Allison was Director of Public Health in the East Riding of Yorkshire, working in both local government and the NHS. He is a former honorary secretary of the Association of Directors of Public Health (UK) and has extensive experience in epidemiological research and hospital medicine.
Dr Allison studied medicine at Cardiff and Cambridge, where he also pursued studies in Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic. His professional interests include musculoskeletal disease, coastal health and physical activity, and he has organised recreational public health cycling events.