OXFORD economist Patrick Gray, left, received an OBE in the New Year’s Honours for his work reducing the risk of nuclear terrorism.

He said: “I take it as an acknowledgement of the important work of our team in promoting the development of science-based businesses among former nuclear weapons research establishments in the former Soviet Union.”

He works for the British Closed Nuclear Centres Programme, which helps former nuclear weapons scientists to find civilian jobs. Twice a year, it brings scientists to see how former military sites such as Harwell and Culham have been transformed into general business centres.