Richard Price, Managing Director of Clothing & Home at Marks & Spencer is one prominent fashion retail figure to receive an MBE for services to fashion.
Since rejoining Marks & Spencer in 2020, Price has been instrumental in revitalising the company’s clothing and home division. He has has overseen the successful launch of ‘Brands at M&S,’ which now features over 100 third-party brands.
Under his guidance, the clothing and home division reported a 30% year-on-year increase in adjusted operating profit to £223.4 million for the 26 weeks ending 30 September 2023, with revenues rising by 5.7%.
Price also serves as Non Executive Director at Nobody’s Child and digital commerce platform Refined Networks.
Leena Nair, Global Chief Executive Officer of Chanel since January 2022, was awarded a CBE for services to the retail and consumer sector.
Nair began her career at Unilever in 1992 as a management trainee, and went on to serve the company in various roles, including being appointed as its Chief Human Resources Officer in 2016, becoming the first woman, the first Asian, and the youngest individual to hold the position.
In December 2021, Nair was appointed CEO of Chanel, officially assuming the role in January 2022, at the time the only woman of colour leading a major luxury brand.
During her tenure at the French luxury maison, Nair has overseen major retail expansion, including a Tokyo flagship; the launch of the environmentally conscious beauty and fragrance line No. 1 de Chanel; and expanding its private shopping experience for top clients.
Other fashion industry players to receive honours in the list are Smruti Sriram, founder and CEO of conscious fashion label Bags of Ethics, who was awarded an OBE for services to fashion, and John Culbert, Managing Director of heritage cashmere brand Glenisla Kilts, was honoured with an MBE for services to the Scottish fashion and textile industries.
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Each and every day, ordinary people go out and do extraordinary things for their communities. They represent the very best of the UK and that core value of service which I put at the centre of everything this government does.
“The New Year Honours List celebrates more of these unsung heroes, and I thank them for their incredible contribution.”
Also in the New Year Honours List 2025:
- Mayor of London Sadiq Khan
- Former England Manager Gareth Southgate
- Actor Stephen Fry
- Musician and Presenter Myleene Klass
- Gardener Alan Titchmarsh
- Actress Carey Mulligan
- Actress Sarah Lancashire
