Congratulations to Gillian Aghajan, who was presented with the Anne Hanrahan award as part of the 2025 BF Honours in recognition of her contribution to fencing.
The BF Honours are awarded to members who have made a significant contribution to fencing in the UK whilst upholding our values of honesty, respect and excellence. This year’s recipients were formally recognised at the AGM on Saturday 25th October 2025. The Anne Hanrahan award, part of the BF Honours, was presented at the AGM to Gillian Aghajan.
Tell us a little about the work you do to support fencing.
I have been a volunteer in the world of fencing for over 20 years in a variety of roles, which have included sports therapy with GBR wheelchair fencing, previous Chairman of Bath Sword Club and British Veterans Fencing (BVF), and currently BVF Team Manager for international events, and photographer.
What’s your favourite memory of your time volunteering in fencing?
It would be hard to pick a favourite memory as I have so many memories of fun, camaraderie and shared experiences around the world. Maybe I should write a book!
What does it mean to receive the 2025 BF Honours award?
To receive the Anne Hanrahan award is an unexpected honour and a privilege for me. I am delighted that I am considered worthy of such a prestigious and meaningful award.
What would you say to people considering volunteering in fencing or sport in general?
Volunteering in fencing or sport in general gives a chance to open a new world to meet and engage with like-minded people, which I thoroughly recommend. I hope to carry on volunteering for as long as I can contribute to fencing.
The Anne Hanrahan award was donated anonymously in memory of Anne Hanrahan, not only for her long service as a volunteer but also for her outstanding personal qualities. Recipients of the award will therefore have contributed many years of service in a voluntary capacity, or going significantly above and beyond a professional capacity, while demonstrating the following qualities:
The award is open to both members and non-members of British Fencing as well as members of staff. However, sitting Board members are not eligible. It will not be presented every year.
The decision as to who receives the award sits with the anonymous donor of the award informed and approved by the BF President (representing the BF Honours Committee) and CEO (representing the BF Executive Team).
To view the 2025 BF Honours for services to fencing, click here.
To view the 2025 BF Honours for fencing performances, click here.
Nominations for the 2025 BF Honours opened on 24th January 2025 and closed on 30th May 2025.
The BF Honours are separate to the BF Community Awards, which recognise some of the best clubs, coaches, fencers and volunteers for their contribution to fencing over the past year. Nominations for the 2024-25 BF Community Awards will open in mid-October 2025.
The BF Honours nomination system focuses on members and ex-members with all nominations coming direct from members. The Honours Committee acts as selectors with the objective of recommending awards in a wide range of categories while ensuring that there is consistency of award levels and criteria. Awards are made annually and announced at the AGM. Other than the goblets, please note that Honours are not re-awarded.
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