產業中心/綜合報導
英國在台灣教育界的重要推手、英僑商務協會長期領袖斯瑞奇 Rich Smith，榮獲英王查爾斯三世（King Charles III）頒授2026新年「大英帝國官佐勳章」（Officer of the Order of the British Empire, OBE），表彰他多年來對英國教育產業以及在台英國僑民社群的卓越貢獻。此項殊榮名列英國 2026 年新年授勳名單（2026 New Year’s Honours List），為英國最高國家級榮譽之一。
英國新年授勳制度旨在表揚對國家及民眾福祉作出傑出貢獻的人士。對於非政府體系、且長期服務於台灣的英國民間領袖而言，獲此皇家榮譽實屬罕見，也使斯瑞奇的獲獎在台灣英國僑民社群中格外具有代表性與指標性意義。
在斯瑞奇之前，在台灣有數位與台灣淵源深厚，於台英關係、教育、科技及公共事務領域具重要影響力的人士名列英國授勳人士之列，
在台灣籍獲獎者方面，包括：
- 張忠謀（Morris Chang）CBE（2013），台積電創辦人，因促進英台商業合作及對全球科技產業的貢獻，獲頒榮譽大英帝國司令勳章。
- 王文洋（Winston Wen-Yang Wong）OBE（2016），因透過教育與科學研究促進英台關係而獲獎，為倫敦帝國學院校友，長期支持英國學術機構。
- Lynn Li MBE（2009），前英國在台辦事處員工，因推動英台重大基礎建設合作而獲表揚。
英國籍獲獎者則包括：
- Ruth Bradley-Jones MBE（2023），英國駐台代表，因推動性別平權與多元共融而獲獎。
- Wayne Ive MBE（2024），英國駐台副代表，因其在多邊與外交事務上的領導表現獲得肯定。
- John Nixon MBE（2007），台北歐洲學校執行長，因對教育及在台英國社群的貢獻獲獎。
這樣的背景更突顯 Rich Smith 此次名列 2026 年新年授勳名單的非凡意義。
Rich Smith 於 1993 年共同創辦英國教育顧問服務機構 UK Education Advisory Services（UKEAS，後更名為 Intake Education），並擔任董事長長達三十年。他所建立的「免費、高品質留學諮詢服務」模式，為國際教育顧問產業帶來革命性改變，讓來自不同經濟背景的優秀學生，都能獲得專業且公正的升學指引，進入世界級的英國高等教育體系。
三十多年來，Rich Smith 所領導的機構直接協助超過 10 萬名國際學生赴英深造，為英國高等教育與相關產業創造約 35 億英鎊的學費、生活與住宿經濟效益。
其中，無數台灣學生在他的協助下前往英國求學，並於完成學業後，活躍於商業、政府、學術、醫療及公民社會等領域，成為各行各業的中堅力量。更重要的是，Rich Smith 的長期投入，不僅培育全球化人才，也深化了英國教育在台灣的影響力，為台英關係奠定穩固的人才與價值基礎。
作為國際教育產業的先驅，UKEAS 透過與超過 100 所英國大學的合作夥伴關係，建立由大學支持的營運模式，確保學生能在不受財務條件限制的情況下，獲得專業且中立的升學建議，深刻改變整體產業生態。
除了教育領域的卓越貢獻，Rich Smith 自 2009 年加入台北市英僑商務協會British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei, BCCT）董事會以來，曾擔任董事、監事及財務長等多項要職，近二十年來持續投入商會治理與社群發展。
在其領導與個人承諾下，BCCT 的企業社會責任（CSR）計畫已為台灣公益團體募得超過新台幣 3,000 萬元，支持青少年服務、教育計畫、無家者援助，以及弱勢學生的長期獎學金機制，對台灣社會產生深遠而實質的正面影響。
台北市英僑商務協會主席、TutorABC 執行長 Samuel Yang 表示：「Rich Smith 在英王新年授勳名單中獲頒 OBE，是對其一生奉獻於教育、服務與社群領導的高度肯定。他對英國教育在全球，尤其是台灣的貢獻，無可比擬。多個世代的台灣學生因他的努力而與英國建立深厚連結，進一步強化英台關係。他對在台英國社群及公益事業的長期投入，已留下深具意義的永續典範。這是屬於 Rich、與他的家人，以及整個在台英國社群的榮耀時刻。」
Rich Smith OBE 則表示：「能夠獲得英王查爾斯三世的肯定，我感到無比榮幸與謙卑。我始終相信，教育是一股能創造機會並帶來正向改變的力量。多年來能與如此多敬業的同仁、大學夥伴，以及台灣的英國社群攜手合作，是我最大的福氣，這份榮耀屬於所有與我同行的人。」
台北市英僑商務協會對 Rich Smith 獲頒此項皇家榮譽與有榮焉，並高度肯定他透過教育、商業與社群服務，持續深化英台關係的長遠貢獻。
英國王室授勳制度旨在表揚在公共生活中具卓越成就，並長期致力於服務英國與社會的個人。更多關於 2026 年新年授勳名單的資訊，可至英國政府官方網站 GOV.UK 查詢。
British Education Leader in Taiwan Rich Smith Awarded OBE in King Charles III’s 2026 New Year’s Honours List
The British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei (BCCT) is pleased to announce that Rich Smith has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in His Majesty King Charles III’s 2026 New Year’s Honours List. He is being recognised for his outstanding services to the UK education industry and the British community in Taiwan.
The New Year’s Honours List represents one of the highest forms of national recognition in the United Kingdom, celebrating exceptional contribution and service to the nation and its global interests. Royal honours of this nature are rarely awarded to Taiwan-based civilian leaders outside government service, making this recognition particularly distinctive within the local British community.
He joins a small and distinguished group of Taiwan-linked recipients of British honours, inlcuding:
Taiwan nationals:
- Morris Chang CBE (張忠謀, 2013) — Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Founder of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), recognised for contributions to UK–Taiwan business relations and the global technology industry.
- Winston Wen-Yang Wong OBE (王文洋, 2016) — Officer of the Order of the British Empire
Awarded for services to UK–Taiwan relations through education and scientific research; a graduate of Imperial College London and long-standing supporter of British academic institutions.
- Lynn Li MBE (2009) — Member of the Order of the British Empire
Former British Office employee, recognised for advancing UK–Taiwan collaboration through major infrastructure projects.
British nationals:
- Ruth Bradley-Jones MBE (2023) — Member of the Order of the British Empire
British Representative in Taiwan, recognised for promoting gender equality and advancing diversity and inclusion.
- Wayne Ive MBE (2024) — Member of the Order of the British Empire
Deputy British Representative in Taiwan, recognised for leadership in multilateral and diplomatic affairs.
- John Nixon MBE (2007) — Member of the Order of the British Empire
CEO of the Taipei European School, recognised for services to education and the British community in Taiwan.
This context underscores the exceptional nature of Rich Smith’s recognition in the 2026 New Year’s Honours List.
For thirty years Rich Smith was the Chairman and Co-Founder of UK Education Advisory Services (UKEAS), later known as Intake Education, which he co-founded in 1993. Through his leadership, UKEAS pioneered a model of free, high-quality education counselling services, enabling talented students from diverse backgrounds to access world-class UK universities.
For over more than three decades, his organisations directly supported more than 100,000 international students in pursuing UK higher education, generating an estimated GBP 3.5 billion in tuition, living, and accommodation expenditure for the UK economy.
Rich’s work has shaped the educational journeys of tens of thousands of Taiwanese students who have studied in the United Kingdom and gone on to become leaders in business, government, academia, healthcare and civil society.
More importantly, his work has played a central role in cultivating global talent, expanding access to high-quality UK education, and developing future leaders throughout Taiwan and beyond.
A pioneer in the sector, UKEAS introduced an innovative business model funded through partnerships with over 100 UK universities. This approach transformed the international education consultancy industry and ensured that students received professional, impartial guidance regardless of financial background.
Since joining the BCCT Board in 2009, Rich Smith has served in several senior leadership roles, including Board Member, Supervisor, and Treasurer. He has been a long-standing contributor to the Chamber’s leadership and community engagement for nearly two decades.
Through his leadership and personal commitment to BCCT’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, Rich has helped raise over NTD 30 million for Taiwanese charities, supporting youth services, education programmes, homelessness initiatives, and long-term scholarship opportunities for underprivileged students.
Samuel Yang, Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei and CEO of TutorABC, said:
“Rich Smith’s OBE, awarded by His Majesty in the New Year’s Honours List, is a rare and deeply deserved recognition of a lifetime devoted to education, service, and community leadership. His contribution to UK education worldwide is extraordinary, particularly in nurturing multiple generations of Taiwanese students who have gone on to strengthen ties between the United Kingdom and Taiwan. His long-standing commitment to the British community and charitable causes in Taiwan has left a lasting and meaningful legacy. This is a proud moment for Rich, his family, and for the entire British community in Taiwan.”
Rich Smith OBE said:
“I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this recognition from His Majesty King Charles III. My work has always been driven by a belief in education as a force for opportunity and positive change. I have been privileged to work alongside dedicated colleagues, university partners, and the British community in Taiwan over many years, and I share this honour with all of them.”
The British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei is proud to celebrate this royal honour and recognises Rich Smith’s enduring contribution to strengthening UK–Taiwan relations through education, business, and community service.
The King’s honours system recognises individuals who have made significant achievements in public life and demonstrated sustained commitment to serving the United Kingdom. More information about the 2026 New Year’s Honours is available at GOV.UK.
ENDS
About the British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei (BCCT)
The British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei (BCCT) is one of the most active international business chambers in Taiwan, representing British and international companies across a wide range of sectors. BCCT provides a platform for business networking, policy dialogue, advocacy, and community engagement, while promoting strong commercial, cultural, and educational ties between the United Kingdom and Taiwan. Through its programmes, events, and corporate social responsibility initiatives, BCCT plays a leading role in supporting sustainable business growth and positive social impact.
