Entrepreneurs and retail leaders recognised in King's Birthday Honours List
Source: gov.uk (2025-06-13)

Recipients recognised for years of exceptional service and dedication, and who are trailblazers for helping drive economic prosperity and increasing the UK’s global standing.

The chief executive of one of Britain’s most popular high-street bakeries, the founder of an iconic ceramics brand, and the head of the UK’s largest professional body for recruiters are included in the King’s Birthday Honours today.

The UK is home to many iconic brands, and a number of top entrepreneurs and pioneers have been rightly recognised for their outstanding achievements across a variety of sectors, from hospitality to arts and crafts.

Greggs chief executive Roisin Currie has been made a CBE for her services to hospitality, while the head of leading high-street brand Pets at Home has been awarded an OBE for services to retail.

Neil Carberry, the chief executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, has received an OBE for his services to the economy and to business, while Craig Beaumont has received an OBE for his work on the Federation of Small Businesses.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

I am immensely proud to see so many outstanding individuals recognised in the 2025 Birthday Honours for their exceptional contributions to British business and trade. These honours reflect the innovation, resilience and leadership that drives our economy forward.

From pioneering entrepreneurs to champions of growth, these worthy recipients embody this government’s core mission – to unlock opportunity, boost productivity and champion growth across every region of the UK as part of our Plan for Change.

Recipients include:
- Craig Beaumont has received an OBE for services to small businesses. Craig has worked as the voice of the small business community at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), developing reforms that helped thousands of its members and the broader community to grow. He oversaw FSB launching a pioneering mental health and disability programme with MIND and the Royal Foundation, set up a partnership with X-Forces Enterprise to help veterans into employment and self-employment, and created the UK’s first online LGBT+ business hub, now serving over 1,000 users. He contributes to the Social Mobility Commission, Building Back Britain Commission, Industry and Parliament Trust and the Worshipful Company of Communicators in the City of London.
- Douglas Perkins has received a CBE for services to business and trade. Doug co-founded Specsavers with his wife in 1984, growing it into a global optical and audiology leader. Today, the company operates 2,815 stores across multiple countries, employing over 45,000 people. In 2023/24, Specsavers reported £4.18 billion in revenue—a 7.5% increase - serving 48 million customers worldwide, with 24.8 million frames and 617 million contact lenses sold.
- Elaine Bell has received a BEM for services to the Stapleford High Street. Elaine founded Sewing Belle in Stapleford, transforming it into a vibrant high street anchor and creative community hub. Alongside selling fabrics and haberdashery, her adjoining sewing studio hosts up to 20 workshops a month, attracting over 200 participants. With visitors travelling from across the UK—many staying overnight—Sewing Belle has become a local draw, boosting nearby businesses.
- Emma Bridgewater CBE has received a Damehood for services to ceramics. Founded in 1985, Emma Bridgewater has grown into a beloved British brand, renowned for its colourful, hand-decorated pottery and distinctive patterns. Sold online, in dedicated stores, and through retailers across the UK and internationally, the company continues to thrive. In 2022, it earned B Corporation certification, reflecting its enduring commitment to transparency, accountability, and high ethical standards.
- Lyssa McGowan has received an OBE for services to retail. Since becoming CEO of Pets at Home in 2022, Lyssa has led the transformation of the business into a truly integrated petcare business providing veterinary, retail and grooming services, which has driven strong growth, with consumer revenue rising to nearly £2 billion in 2025. Recognised by Retail Week as one of 2024’s most influential leaders, Lyssa’s leadership has also seen the Pets Club membership grow to over 8 million, building on her extensive consumer experience from an 12-year career at Sky UK. * Neil Carberry has received an OBE for services to the economy and to business. The Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) has become a key body for businesses navigating changing workforce needs. Representing firms who support recruitment and talent planning, a £43bn industry, REC’s research is a major contributor to understanding our changing jobs market and future needs. Neil has also contributed to positive employment relations through the Low Pay Commission and the Council of Acas.
- Roisin Currie has received a CBE for services to hospitality. Roisin has been instrumental in driving Greggs rapid expansion, with the company on track to double sales by 2026 following record-breaking results in 2024. Her leadership emphasises the strong internal culture shared by 33,000 colleagues - something she sees as central to Greggs continued success. With a career spanning over 35 years, Roisin has been a driving force in championing social mobility and nurturing talent across the sector. This honour reflects Roisin’s unwavering dedication to excellence and her lasting impact on the industry.
Craig Beaumont OBE, Executive Director at the Federation of Small Businesses, said:

I’m still rather floored by this but am so grateful to be appointed an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List. Working for the small business movement in our country is a privilege, and every day I see entrepreneurs drive local growth and create jobs. Having supported them for a decade, this is the icing on the cake. Thank you to FSB’s volunteers and my colleagues. And congratulations to everyone else recognised, today.

Douglas Perkins CBE, Co-founder and Chair of Specsavers, said:

I can’t tell you how honoured I feel to receive this award for services to business as I have dedicated my entire career to helping people to see and hear more clearly. More importantly, this is recognition for the 45,000 loyal, hardworking colleagues and partners around the world who work for Specsavers and our ophthalmic surgery business New-medica and their dedication to our core goals of offering value for money and experts who truly care.

Elaine Bell BEM, Managing Director of Sewing Belle, said:

I’m truly honoured to receive the British Empire Medal. This recognition means so much - not just to me, but to the wonderful sewing community I am, lucky to be part of. Sharing skills, creativity, and connection through sewing has brought so much joy, and I’m proud to have contributed to something that helps bring people together.

Dame Emma Bridgewater CBE, Founder of Emma Bridgewater Pottery, said:

I’m honoured and also very happy about the award: what a marvellous accolade this is - for the people, and the pottery traditions of Stoke on Trent! I feel clear that I whilst receive it, they won it, and they so richly deserve such recognition! My forty years in the Potteries has been a marvellous and unlikely adventure- I feel privileged indeed to have learned about ceramics from the long suffering resilient and excellent people of Stoke.

Lyssa McGowan OBE, CEO of Pets at Home, said:

It is a huge privilege to be named alongside such inspiring people. I am incredibly proud to lead Pets and see this as a shared honour for all our vets, nurses, groomers, retail and support colleagues who work so hard every day caring for the nation’s pets. It is so wonderful to receive this recognition of our efforts to create a better world for pets and the people who love them.

Neil Carberry OBE, CEO of The Recruitment and Employment Confederation said:

I’m deeply honoured to receive an OBE. Business and Government working together with respect and a focus on growth is what makes lives better for people across the country. All of my work has been in support of that, and any progress I have contributed to rests working fabulous colleagues in REC members and other businesses all over the UK.

Roisin Currie CBE, CEO of Greggs PLC, said:

I am delighted and honoured to receive this recognition. I would like to thank the amazing teams I have worked with throughout my career, particularly the 33,000 colleagues across Greggs who work together to serve our customers so brilliantly, day in and day out and truly champion the hospitality sector.

Full list of recipients

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

Clare Barclay, Lately Chief Executive Officer, Microsoft UK. For services to Business, Technology and Leadership.

Emma Bridgewater CBE, Founder, Emma Bridgewater Pottery. For services to Ceramics.

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Roisin Currie, Chief Executive Officer, Greggs PLC. For services to Hospitality.

Stephen Foots, Chief Executive Officer, Croda. For services to the Chemical and Life Sciences Industry.

Shevaun Haviland, Director General, British Chambers of Commerce. For services to Business.

Jonathan Holmes, Lately Co-Chair, Infrastructure Exports UK and Deputy Chairman, Mace. For services to Construction.

David Howden, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Howden Group. For services to the Insurance Industry.

Dr Peter Musgrove, Engineer and Renewable Energy Pioneer. For services to Renewable Energy.

Babatunde Olanrewaju, Managing Partner, Europe, McKinsey & Company. For services to Business.

Douglas Perkins, Co-Founder and Chair, Specsavers. For services to Business and Trade.

Tanuja Randery, Managing Director and Vice President, Amazon Web Services, Europe, Middle East, and Africa. For services to Business and the Technology Sector.

Stephen Scrimshaw, Lately Chief Executive Officer, Siemens Energy Ltd. For services to British Manufacturing, to Transport and to the Green Transition to Net Zero.

Dana Strong, Group Chief Executive Officer, Sky. For services to Business and to Media.

Stephen Varley, Lately UK Chair and Managing Partner, EY. For services to the Professional Services Industry.

David Ward, General Secretary, Communication Workers’ Union. For services to Trade Unions.

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Craig Beaumont, Executive Director, Federation of Small Businesses. For services to Small Businesses

Neil Carberry, Chief Executive Officer, The Recruitment and Employment Confederation. For services to the Economy and to Business

Rachel Gardner-Poole, Director, Aviascia. For services to Aviation

Hannah Gibson, Chief Executive Officer, Ocado Retail. For services to Retail

Ruth Handcock, Chief Executive Officer, Octopus Money. For services to Financial Services and Investment

Richard Howells, Founder, Bronze Software Labs Ltd. For services to Business, Technology and Innovation

Professor Shirley Lane (Price), Emerita Professor of Toxicology, University of Surrey. For services to Industry and Consumer Protection

Andrew Love, Senior Adviser, The Ritz London. For services to Hospitality

Lyssa McGowan, Chief Executive Officer, Pets at Home. For services to Retail

Stephen Pegge, Lately Managing Director, UK Finance. For services to Business

Mohammad Sadique (Sid Sadique), Chairman and Owner, Electra Commercial Vehicles Ltd. For services to the Automotive and Transport Industry

Gareth Stapleton, Founder and Partner, RiSE International. For services to Architecture and to Project and Construction Management

Jane Whitehart, International Lead Associate Consultant, People1st International Limited. For services to International Trade

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Noreen Burroughes, President, Organisation for Women in International Trade UK. For services to Women in International Trade and to Entrepreneurship

Karyle Davidge-Stringer, Service Manager, Rushmoor Citizens Advice. For services to the community in Hampshire

Dawn Edwards, Managing Director, Challenge Training and Consultancy Ltd. For services to the Business Community in Nottinghamshire

Daniel Fell, Chief Executive, Doncaster Chamber of Commerce. For services to Business and the Economy in South Yorkshire

Julian Hetherington, Automotive Transformation Director, Advanced Propulsion Centre. For services to Business Investment and Growth

Muhammad Abdul Musabbir, Chair, Hyde Bangladesh Welfare Association. For services to Community Cohesion

Laura Silverman, Creator and Head, London School of Economics and Political Science Generate. For services to Social Innovation and Education

Matthew Turner, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Creative Pod. For services to Business and to Charity

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

Elaine Bell, Managing Director, Sewing Belle. For services to The Stapleford High Street

Civil Servants recognised in the Birthday 2025 Honours List include:

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Susan Clews, Lately Chief Executive, Acas.

Frederick Perry, Lately Director, Advanced Manufacturing, Department for Business and Trade

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Tracy Buckingham, Deputy Director, Security and Cyber Security Exports, Department for Business and Trade.