Leading British businesswomen awarded damehoods in King’s birthday honours

Four of the UK’s most influential businesswomen have been awarded damehoods in the King’s Birthday Honours, recognising their outstanding contributions to British industry, innovation and leadership.

Emma Bridgewater, the celebrated homeware designer and founder of her eponymous ceramics brand, was honoured for services to ceramics. Since founding her company in 1985, Bridgewater has helped revitalise the traditional pottery sector in Stoke-on-Trent, growing the business to a £36 million enterprise. Her company, known for its distinctive and playful designs, became a certified B-Corporation in 2022, underlining its commitment to social and environmental impact.

Debbie Crosbie, the chief executive of Nationwide Building Society, receives a damehood for her trailblazing work in financial services. Since taking the helm in 2022, Crosbie has overseen the £2.9 billion acquisition of Virgin Money and spearheaded a profit-sharing scheme that has returned £100 annually to millions of the mutual’s members.

Clare Barclay, who led Microsoft UK until 2024 and is now president of enterprise and industry for EMEA at the software giant, is recognised for her role in expanding Microsoft’s footprint in the UK, overseeing sales growth to £9.6 billion and chairing the government’s Industrial Strategy Advisory Council.

Anne Glover, the CEO of venture capital firm Amadeus Capital Partners, is honoured for her leadership in science, innovation, and entrepreneurship. A longtime advocate for UK start-up investment, Glover has been a driving force behind efforts to direct more pension fund capital into high-growth domestic firms.

Other prominent business leaders recognised in the honours include:

Dana Strong, CEO of Sky, who is awarded a CBE for services to business and media.
David Howden, founder of insurance broker Howden Group, and Doug Perkins, co-founder of Specsavers, who both receive CBEs.
Gordon Roddick, co-founder of The Body Shop, receives a knighthood for philanthropy, including his work with The Big Issue.
Roisin Currie, CEO of Greggs, receives a CBE, while OBEs go to Hannah Gibson (CEO of Ocado) and Lyssa McGowan (CEO of Pets At Home).

In financial services, Tiina Lee (UK CEO, Citigroup) and Michelle Scrimgeour (former head of LGIM) receive CBEs, while Ruth Handcock of Octopus Money is awarded an OBE.

Small business champions Shevaun Haviland (British Chambers of Commerce) and Craig Beaumont (Federation of Small Businesses) are honoured with a CBE and OBE, respectively.

In more specialist sectors:

Stephen Foots, CEO of Croda International, is awarded a CBE for his contribution to the UK chemicals industry.
Will Whitehorn, founder of Virgin Galactic and chair of Seraphim Space, receives an OBE for services to aerospace.
Steve Varley, former UK chairman of EY, is recognised with a CBE for his work in the accounting profession.
Larry Elliott, long-serving economics editor of The Guardian, also receives a CBE.

A particularly unique honour went to Peter Chan, founder of Herons Bonsai and a leading authority on the ancient art form, who is awarded an MBE for services to business, entrepreneurship and bonsai.

This year’s honours underscore a growing recognition of entrepreneurialism, innovation, and corporate leadership across diverse sectors of the UK economy — from tech and finance to ceramics and space.