Sir John Meurig Thomas HonFREng FRS is awarded one of the three 2016 Royal Medals for his pioneering work within catalytic chemistry, in particular on single-site heterogeneous catalysts, which have had a major impact on green chemistry, clean technology and sustainability

The three Royal Medals, also known as the Queen’s Medals, are awarded annually by the Sovereign on the recommendation of the Council of the Society.

Each year two medals are awarded for the most important contributions “to the advancement of Natural Knowledge” in the physical and biological sciences respectively. A third medal is awarded for distinguished contributions in the applied sciences.

The Royal Medals were founded by HM King George IV in 1825.

https://royalsociety.org/grants-schemes-awards/awards/royal-medal/