Over the past ten years, the New Year and Birthday Honours have increasingly reflected the changing shape of British business, from scale-up founders and fintech pioneers to industrial leaders and advocates for responsible capitalism.
These figures stand out for their sustained economic impact rather than celebrity alone.
Sir Richard Branson
Founder, Virgin Group
Already knighted, Branson has continued to receive recognition for services to entrepreneurship, employment and philanthropy. His Virgin ecosystem remains one of the UK’s most globally recognisable business exports.
Sir James Dyson
Founder, Dyson
Honoured for services to design, engineering and innovation, Dyson’s investment in advanced manufacturing and R&D has reinforced the UK’s reputation for high-value engineering, even as production has become increasingly global.
Dame Carolyn McCall
Chief Executive, ITV
Recognised for services to broadcasting and business leadership, McCall is widely credited with modernising legacy organisations, first at easyJet, then at ITV, while championing diversity at senior levels.
Sir Mike Ashley
Founder, Frasers Group
A controversial but undeniable force in UK retail, Ashley’s knighthood acknowledged decades of value creation, job generation and investment in British high streets and sports retail.
Dame Emma Walmsley
Chief Executive, GSK
One of the UK’s most senior female executives, Walmsley has been recognised for services to the pharmaceutical industry and life sciences, a sector increasingly central to Britain’s economic future.
Sir Charles Dunstone
Co-founder, Carphone Warehouse
Honoured for services to business and charity, Dunstone helped shape the UK’s consumer telecoms market and later became a leading figure in philanthropy and social enterprise.
Sir Ian Cheshire
Former CEO, Kingfisher
Awarded for services to business and sustainability, Cheshire has played a pivotal role in embedding environmental responsibility into board-level decision-making across UK corporates.
Dame Sharon White
Former Chair, John Lewis Partnership
Recognised for services to business and the public sector, White’s leadership bridged regulation, retail and governance during one of the most challenging periods for UK consumer businesses.
Taken together, these honours chart a shift away from purely industrial-era recognition towards leaders who combine commercial success with innovation, governance reform and long-term societal impact, a trend reinforced again in the 2026 New Year Honours.
Read more:
Top UK business honourees of the past decade