Top UK business leaders, job creators and Post Office campaigners awarded New Year’s Honours

• CEO of Chanel and Chair of the London Stock Exchange among those honoured today 
• Jo Hamilton and other postmasters given OBE for their tireless work on the Post Office campaign 

A number of top business leaders – including the Chair of Babcock and CEO of Chanel – have been honoured by the King in the 2025 New Year’s Honours for their innovation, excellence and leadership in growing the UK economy.  

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is pleased to see recipients across the UK being recognised for their role in creating jobs and prosperity in their communities and for the country. 

Subpostmasters – including Jo Hamilton OBE – have been recognised in the List for their tireless campaign for justice for those caught up in the Horizon IT system scandal: one of the worst miscarriages of justice in British history. 

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:  

The business leaders in the New Year’s Honours List and their companies are the lifeblood of our economy and those receiving awards should be very proud of what they have achieved and for flying the flag both at home and abroad. 

I’m also pleased to see a group of Horizon sub-postmasters included. They deserve special recognition for their tireless campaign for postmasters who have waited far too long to get justice – and we remain committed to seeing justice done. 

Recipients include:

• Dame Ruth Cairnie DBE, the first female Chair of defence firm Babcock in their 130 year history, who has received a DBE for her transformation of Babcock since 2019 – with a £242 million profit in 2024. Cairnie has also been recognised for Babcock’s role in supporting national security via the operation of Skynet, the Ministry of Defence’s satellite communication system. 

• Sir Edward Braham KT, the chair of M&G, has been awarded a KT for services to corporate law and business. Under his leadership he has grown the company to be one of the top five advice businesses in the UK, with 4.6m retail customers and more than 900 institutional clients, while M&G is one of the largest market investors in Europe and among the top 10 globally with assets of over £360 billion. 

• Leena Nair CBE, the Global CEO of Chanel, has been given a CBE for services to the retail and consumer sector – with Chanel being the biggest investor in the UK cultural landscape under her leadership and commitment.  

• Simon Murphy OBE, who spearheaded the £10bn redevelopment of Battersea Power Station with tireless dedication, transforming a derelict 42-acre former industrial site into a vibrant town centre comprised of shops, over 4,000 homes, offices (including Apple’s new London campus), new transport infrastructure and leisure spaces. 

Other recipients include Donald Robert CBE, the Chair of the London Stock Exchange Group, for his services to the financial services industry, Sir Edward Braham KT, the Chair of M&G, Mai Fyfield CBE, an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Premier League, ASOS and the BBC. Sir Bryan Sanderson KT, who recently chaired the Low Pay  has been knighted. 

Dame Ruth Cairnie DBE said:  

I believe strongly that the UK benefits greatly from having leading sovereign companies and have been fortunate to serve with a number of them. It is a great privilege to be the Chair of Babcock and to support the team in the critical reset they have delivered. I am also highly committed to the importance of diversity in business and am encouraged by the gradual but continued increase in female representation in Defence, Energy and other sectors. I am deeply honoured by this recognition.

Sir Edward Braham KT said: 

It is a true privilege to be recognised in the New Year’s Honour’s list. I’ve always been a passionate believer in the power of British business and the amazing community of people that work within it. During my career I have been fortunate to work with some brilliant organisations and this award recognises the crucial role that they play too.

Leena Nair CBE said: 

I am deeply grateful for this profound honour. This recognition reinforces our commitment as a business to have a positive impact in the world. I am thankful to my passionate and dedicated teams whose support makes all this possible. It inspires me   to continue striving for excellence and contributing to wider society. I hope it encourages others to break barriers and follow their dreams.

Simon Murphy OBE said:  

I was surprised and delighted to receive this honour. The restoration of Battersea Power Station and the surrounding area, delivering the Northern Line extension and creating a new community for London and more than 6,000 jobs was an incredible effort by everyone involved.  This honour rewards that effort, persistence and ingenuity and is for all of Team Battersea and our Malaysian shareholders without whom none of this would have been achieved.

Notes for editors 

• The honours system recognises people who have made achievements in public life; or committed themselves to serving and helping the UK. 

• The Department for Business and Trade proposes nominations in our areas, for scrutiny by independent honours committees led by the Cabinet Office. 

• Nominations are sought from within the department and from members of the public. Anyone can receive an honour, and anyone can nominate someone as long as they demonstrate exceptional contribution the person has made. 

• There are two Honours Rounds each year, with the lists being published in the New Year list, and the King’s Birthday list. 

• The integrity of the honours system is protected by the carrying out of probity checks before names are submitted to the Prime Minister and The King for approval. 

Full list of recipients: 

Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) 

Linda Heggs (Ruth Cairnie), Chair, Babcock International and Lately Chair, Powerful Women Initiative. For services to Industry 

Knights Bachelor (KT) 

Edward Braham, Chair, M&G. For services to Corporate Law and to Business 

Bryan Sanderson CBE, Lately Chair, Low Pay Commission. For services to the Labour Market 

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) 

Annika Bosanquet, Co-Founder, Wrapology. For services to Business 

Charles Dhanowa OBE KC, Registrar, United Kingdom Competition Appeal Tribunal. For services to Competition Law 

Gillian Dunion (Gillian Docherty) OBE FRSE, Chief Commercial Officer, University of Strathclyde. For services to Business and Technology 

Rowenna Mai Fyfield, Independent Non-Executive Director, The Premier League and BBC Commercial. For services to the Sports and Broadcasting Industries 

Catherine Lewis La Torre, Lately Chief Executive Officer, British Patient Capital. For services to Business 

Leena Nair, Global Chief Executive Officer, Chanel and lately Global Chief Human Resources Officer, Unilever. For services to the Retail and Consumer Sector 

James Palmer, Senior Corporate and Governance Lawyer, Herbert Smith, Freehills. For services to Business and to Law 

Gillian Parkin (Gill Riley) OBE, Managing Director, GGR Group. For services to the Lifting Industry 

Donald Robert, Chair, London Stock Exchange Group. For services to the Financial Services Industry 

The Hon. David Louis Taylor, Chief Executive, British Business Bank, and lately Chief Executive Officer, UK Export Finance. For services to Business and Trade 

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) 

Dr Alan Belfield FREng, Lately Business Co-Chair, Professional Business Services Council and lately Chair, Arup. For services to Business 

Lee Castleton, Campaigner for Subpostmasters. For services to Justice 

Miles Celic, Chief Executive, TheCityUK. For services to Finance and Professional Services 

Marvin Cooke DL, Lately Executive Vice President, Toyota Motor Europe. For services to Automotive Manufacturing 

Susan Daley, Director, Tech and Innovation, tech UK. For services to the Technology Industry 

Julian David, Chief Executive Officer, techUK. For services to Technology and to Trade 

Dr Daniela Denis-smith, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Obelisk Support. For services to Women in the Legal Profession 

John Evans, Executive Chair, Beanies the Flavour Company. For services to Entrepreneurship 

Abdul Karim Fatehi MBE, Chief Executive Officer, United Corporation. For services to International Trade 

Josephine Hamilton, Campaigner for Subpostmasters. For services to Justice 

Louisa Harrison (Louisa Harrison-walker), Chief Executive, Sheffield Chamber of Commerce. For services to Business and the Economy in South Yorkshire 

Christopher Head, Campaigner for Subpostmasters. For services to Justice 

Professor Andrew Levers, Executive Director and Founder, Institute of Digital Engineering and Autonomous Systems, University of Liverpool. For services to Industry and to the Economy 

Dr Kay Linnell, Forensic Accountant, Expert Witness and Key Adviser to the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance. For services to Justice 

Wendy Martin, Director, National Trading Standards. For services to Consumer Safety and to Business 

Emma Meredith, Director General, The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association. For services to Business and Consumers 

Geoffrey Miles DL, For services to the Business and Voluntary Sectors 

Mark Mills DL, Businessman and Philanthropist. For services to Business and to Charity 

Seema Misra, Campaigner for Subpostmasters. For services to Justice 

Simon Murphy, Lately Chief Executive Officer, Battersea Power Station Development Company. For services to Real Estate, Heritage and to the community in London 

Gian Singh Power, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, TLC Lions. For services to Mental Health 

Victoria Robertshaw, Founder, Green Street. For services to the Retail Sector 

Amos Simbo, Founder, Black Professionals In Construction. For services to the Construction Industry and to Diversity 

Simon Spinks, Chief Executive, Harrison Spinks Group. For services to the Mattress and Bed Industry 

Rebecca Thomson, Journalist, Computer Weekly. For services to Justice 

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) 

Joanne Ahmed, Tax Partner, Deloitte. For services to Business and Trade 

Michael Bailey, Managing Director, Col-Tec Solutions Ltd. For services to the Print Industry and Allied Trades 

Rachel Blackburn, Chief Executive Officer, US2U Consulting Ltd. For services to the Business Community and to Exports 

Joeli Brearley, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Pregnant Then Screwed. For services to Working Families 

Mohammed Younis Chaudhry, Owner and Founder, Regal Food Products Plc. For services to Business and to the community in Bradford 

Katherine Darlington, Founder and Chief Executive, The Scott Partnership. For services to Business Growth and to International Trade 

Dr Harry Destecroix, Founder, Science Creates. For services to Science 

Richard Finney, Founder and Moustache Meister, Captain Fawcett. For services to International Trade and to Charity 

Natasha Gilmour, Head, Extra Help Unit, Citizens Advice Scotland. For services to Vulnerable Consumers 

Judith Hartley, Lately Chief Executive Officer, British Business Investments. For services to Business 

Christopher Murphy, Managing Director, Dunster House Ltd and Director, Military Medals and Books Ltd. For services to Business and to Charity 

Raymond Newell, Managing Director, Oakwell Management Services. For services to Industry in the Midlands 

Bolaji Olubusola Sofoluwe, Co-Founder, Group MD Enterprise, Training and Knowledge Group. For services to Sustainable Business Growth, and to Female Entrepreneurs and to International Trade 

Charles Turner DL, Chair, Made in Sheffield and Managing Director, Edward Turner and Son Ltd. For services to Manufacturing and Business in Sheffield 

Chandni Vora, Chief Operating Officer, Vascroft Contractors Ltd. For services to Business 

Laura Ward-Ongley, Founder and Global Chief Executive Officer, EXEAT. For services to International Trade, to Sustainability and to Women in Business 

John Watkinson, Chair, Vistage International. For services to Business 

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) 

Alaa Mohammed Ali Habbooby, Owner, CafÈ Noir. For services to the community in Thames Ditton, Surrey 

Richard Haley, Postmaster, Epworth Post Office. For services to the Post Office and to the community in Doncaster 

Hemandra Hindocha, Postmaster, Westcotes Post Office. For services to the Post Office and to the community in the Midlands 

Sheila Taylor-Young, Postwoman, The Royal Mail. For services to the community in the London Borough of Bromley 

Leon Wilks. For Public Service 

Civil Servants recognised in the 2025 New Years Honours List include:   

Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) 

John Edwards, Director for Investment, Department for Business and Trade; formerly H.M. Trade Commissioner for China and Consul General to Shanghai. 

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) 

Patrick Cauthery, Deputy Director, Aerospace and Defence, UK Export Finance. 

Louise Smyth, Registrar of Companies and Chief Executive Officer, Companies House. 

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) 

Sravya Rao, Deputy Director, Economy and Strategic Analysis, Department for Business and Trade. 

Susan Waterson, Head of Investment, North of England, Department for Business and Trade. 

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) 

Steven Firstbrook, Country Director Trade & Investment, British High Commission Singapore. 

Ahsan Zameer Rafeeq, Deputy Head, International Marketing, Department for Business and Trade. 

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) 

Patricia Pile, Facilities Manager, UK Export Finance.