Create CEO Nicky Goulder receives MBE in ceremony at Buckingham Palace
We are proud to share that, last week, our Founding Chief Executive Nicky Goulder officially received her MBE from Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal at an Investiture Ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Nicky was awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year Honours List 2025 in recognition of “services to Disadvantaged People and to Charity” including her tireless work to expand access to the creative arts for the most vulnerable people in our society.
The Ceremony, which took place on 26 June 2025, recognised Nicky’s extensive charity work, most importantly the impact that she has had in leading Create over more than two decades since she started the charity in 2003.
Commenting on the occasion and the story of Create, Nicky says:
“I founded Create in the belief that everyone should have access to the life-enhancing power of the creative arts, and I am humbled and deeply honoured to receive this award in recognition of the impact that we are making. I would like to thank everyone who has been part of Create’s journey over the years including our talented staff, professional artists and Trustees, and our dedicated partners and funders. Above all, I would like to recognise the tens of thousands of participants who we’ve had the privilege of working with. They motivate and inspire me every day. Access to the creative arts fosters self-expression, builds skills and confidence and reduces isolation.”
“It is a privilege to lead an organisation that brings so much joy, connection, and positive change to the lives of those who need it most. I am looking forward to expanding our reach into the future so that many more lives can be touched.”
Nicky Goulder MBE, Founding CEO of Create
Since Nicky founded Create in 2003 the charity has delivered 16,000 workshops with more than 48,500 vulnerable children and adults across the UK. The work has been recognised with 132 awards since 2012, including Charity Times Charity of the Year 2020. In October 2024, Create was awarded a prestigious Mental Health Award, recognising the importance and value of creativity for wellbeing.
Nicky has personally won a number of awards, including Clarins Most Dynamisante Woman of the Year 2013 (which brought with it a £30,000 prize for Create) and, most recently, Arts Innovator in the Women&Home Amazing Women Awards 2023.
Prior to founding Create, Nicky was Chief Executive of the Orchestra of St John’s. She has extensive experience in creative arts management, before which she was a Marketing Executive at KPMG. Nicky is passionate about volunteering and is currently a Childline Counsellor (since 2021); and a Trustee of both Carers’ Hub Lambeth (2024) and Wales Millennium Centre (2018). She became a Climate Reality Leader in 2021. Previously, she has been a Samaritan (2002-2022); a Trustee of MYTIME Young Carers (2021-2024); a Trustee/Vice Chair of the Queen’s Nursing Institute (2009-2019); advisor to the Pro Youth Philharmonia (2017-2020); a YouthXpress leader at Southwark Cathedral, where she worked with young people aged 11-18 (2007-2017); and a Childline Counsellor (1993-1998).
