New Year Honours list 2025: Marks & Spencer, Chanel and more
Richard Price, Managing Director of Clothing & Home at Marks & Spencer, is one prominent fashion retail figure to receive an MBE for services to fashion in the King's New Year Honours list for 2025.
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 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."
Smruti Sriram, CEO of Bags of Ethics said: “I am deeply grateful for this honour and I want to recognise my entire family - at home, at work, and my community, who have been my inspiration and support.
My father, Dr. R. Sri Ram, founded the business over 35 years ago and is still a driving force of compassionate #entrepreneurship and a leading visionary for #sustainability, #design, and innovation.
My wonderful mother, Rajni Sriram, has instilled in me the importance of #service with her unwavering commitment to children, through her leadership at The Wings of Hope Achievement Awards (WOHAA).
My husband, Dr. Joey Blunt’s incisive mind and "go for it, darling” attitude encourage me when ambitious projects try to get the better of me.
Getting this honour gives me a chance to reflect on the power of relationships, and some of the meaningful projects which have shaped me."
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
- Author Jacqueline Wilson