Top UK Business Honorees of the Last Decade

Over the past ten years, the New Year and birthday honors have increasingly reflected the changing shape of British business, from high-profile founders and fintech pioneers to industry leaders and proponents of responsible capitalism.

These figures stand out for their continued economic impact rather than just celebrity.

sir richard branson

Founder, Virgin Group

Branson, already knighted, has been recognized for services to entrepreneurship, employment and philanthropy. Their Virgin Ecosystem remains one of the UK's most globally recognized commercial exports.

sir james dyson

Founder, Dyson

Recognized for services to design, engineering and innovation, Dyson's investment in advanced manufacturing and R&D has strengthened the UK's reputation for high-value engineering, even as production has become increasingly global.

Dame Caroline McCall

Chief Executive, ITV

Recognized for services to broadcasting and business leadership, McCall is widely credited with modernizing legacy organisations, first at easyJet, then at ITV, while advocating 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 creation and investment in the British high street and sports retail.

Dame Emma Walmsley

Chief Executive, GSK

Walmsley, one of the UK's most senior female executives, has been recognized for services to the pharmaceutical industry and life sciences, a sector increasingly central to the UK's economic future.

sir charles dunstone

Co-Founder, Carphone Warehouse

Honored for services to business and charity, Dunstone helped shape the UK consumer telecommunications market and later became a leading figure in philanthropy and social enterprise.

sir ian cheshire

Former CEO, Kingfisher

Honored for services to business and sustainability, Cheshire has played a key role in incorporating environmental responsibility into board-level decision making in UK corporates.

Dame Sharon White

Former Chairman, John Lewis Partnership

Recognized for services to business and the public sector, White's leadership strengthened regulation, retail and governance during one of the most challenging periods for UK consumer businesses.

Overall, these honors reflect a shift away from purely industrial-era recognition toward leaders who combine business success with innovation, governance reform and long-term social impact, a trend reinforced again in the 2026 New Year Honors.

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