Scamp & Dude founder Jo Tutchener Sharp recognised with New Year Honour

Scamp & Dude founder Jo Tutchener Sharp has been recognised with an OBE in the King's New Year Honours for her services to fashion and charity.

Tutchener Sharp set up the purpose-led fashion brand, known for its brightly coloured designs, in 2016 while recovering from brain surgery. She designed her first product, a cuddly superhero toy to watch over her sons, from her hospital bed.

The experience sparked the idea to launch more of the Superhero Sleep Buddy toys for other children, to bring them comfort while separated from their loved ones, with one toy donated for every one sold. To date 10,000 toys have been donated.

The clothing line, complete with 'superpower button' followed, and Tutchener Sharp remained committed to philanthropy through commerce.

Scamp & Dude's Super Scarves initiative, in which one scarf is donated to a woman with cancer for every one sold, has recently reached the milestone of 80,000 scarves donated and £4m in cash and Scamp & Dude products donated to charity.

It was established in 2023 and donates to more than 300 hospitals with celebrities including Sara Davies, Sabrina Elba, Rachel Stevens, Giovanna Fletcher, Ellie Simmonds and Lauren Laverne designing scarves for the cause.

The company has also been awarded B Corp status for its commitment to sustainability and ethics.

Speaking about the honour, Tutchener Sharp said: "I'm truly honoured to receive such a special award and for our hard work over the past 10 years to be recognised by The King. Our vision has always remained the same; to bring purpose and compassion to everything we do.

"For this to be recognised in such a powerful way is a privilege, and one I share with everyone in our brilliant Scamp & Dude community who has supported us, whether they've given, received, worn, shared or supported in any way. This moment is theirs too.”

Elsewhere in the list Charles Tyrwhitt co-founder Peter Higgins has been recognised with an OBE for his services to commerce, entrepreneurship and education.

Higgins, who established the shirtmaker with Nick Wheeler, has also served as chair for businesses such as Joe Browns and Cath Kidston. He remains non-executive director at Charles Tyrwhitt and dedicates much of his time touring schools to speak about entrepreneurship.