Professor Rowland has a portfolio career including as a Lead Employer Medical Director, Consultant Paediatrician (with expertise in Children's Emergency Medicine), Honorary Professor (Children’s Rights, Law, and Advocacy), Board Member of an international non-governmental organisation in Cambodia (M'Lop Tapang), and Chair of the Board of Trustees of SicKids charity. He has over two decades of national, and over 14 years of international, clinical and leadership experience and expertise.
Professor Rowland’s expertise and dedication to driving forward children's rights has guided the College's campaigning and policy work on a number of high-profile issues. Most recently, Professor Rowland has led the College's campaign for equal protection for all children in the UK securing national media attention, bringing together a coalition of supporters and encouraging parliamentarians to take action.
RCPCH Officer for Child Protection, Professor Andrew Rowland, said:
I’m absolutely delighted, and truly thankful, to receive this award! I work with fantastic teams including at the RCPCH, at the University of Salford, at M’Lop Tapang, and at SicKids charity, with experienced friends and colleagues who are all driven to improve the lives of children and young people.
In particular, I love my RCPCH role and working with the College’s teams – as well as with other paediatricians who bring clinical expertise to the College. Without these colleagues, it would be much harder to do the work I love as we strive together to protect and promote children’s rights.
I hope that this award is as much of a boost for my fantastic colleagues, as it is for me, as we continue our work to build child safe communities with children and young people firmly at their hearts.
RCPCH President, Professor Steve Turner said:
I am thrilled to congratulate Andrew on being awarded an OBE. This honour is a well-deserved recognition of his outstanding contributions to the safeguarding and protection of children’s rights and is a testament to his dedication and hard work.
Andrew is a valued member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and, throughout his time as Officer for Child Protection, his commitment has made - and will continue to make - a profound difference. Most recently, his leadership and expertise has driven the College’s campaign for equal protection for children from assault to receive secure national media coverage, engaged a coalition of supporters and secured the attention of decision makers. On behalf of the college’s 24,000 members, I wish Andrew our heartfelt congratulations.