The chief executive of Sainsbury's, Simon Roberts, has been appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the latest New Year Honours list. His recognition for services to the retail industry headlines a roster of prominent business leaders receiving royal accolades.
Supermarket Chief Honoured Amidst Transformative Tenure
Simon Roberts has led the UK's second-largest supermarket chain since 2020. His tenure has been defined by steering the grocer through significant challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis. Under his leadership, Sainsbury's has seen its market share grow and its stock price rise by approximately 75%.
However, his time at the helm has not been without controversy. In 2025, Roberts faced criticism for trialling facial recognition technology to combat shoplifting, a move described by critics as "Orwellian". The same year, he oversaw plans to cut 3,000 jobs as part of a £1 billion cost-saving initiative, while his own remuneration exceeded £5 million for the financial year ending 1 March.
Roberts has also served in influential external roles. He was a member of former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's business council in 2023 and assumed the presidency of the Institute of Grocery Distribution in 2024.
Wider Business and Industry Figures Recognised
The honours list extends across multiple sectors of the UK economy. In the energy industry, John Pettigrew, the former chief executive of National Grid, receives a CBE for services to energy. Pettigrew led the company, which operates much of Britain's electricity network, for nearly a decade until his departure in November 2024, having first joined as a graduate in 1991.
The defence sector sees Ian King, the former boss of BAE Systems, awarded a CBE for services to transport and defence. King led Europe's largest defence contractor for almost ten years until his retirement in 2017, following a career spanning more than four decades.
Finance, Technology and Retail Entrepreneurs Celebrated
In finance, Gary Hoffman, chair of online bank Monzo and former chief executive of Northern Rock, is made a CBE for services to the economy and sport. Hoffman was brought in to rescue Northern Rock after its near-collapse in 2008. His tenure as chair of the Premier League from 2020 to 2022 was marked by controversy, including the handling of Newcastle United's Saudi-led takeover and the European Super League scandal. Recent reports have indicated some Monzo investors are seeking his removal.
The technology sector is represented by Matt Brittin, former head of Google in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and now a non-executive director at Guardian Media Group. He receives a CBE for services to technology and enhancing digital skills.
Further honours include an OBE for Pamela Maynard, Microsoft's chief AI transformation officer. OBEs also go to Unilever's head of research and development, Jonathan Hague, and Peter Higgins, the co-founder of menswear retailer Charles Tyrwhitt.
The list underscores the wide-ranging contributions of business leaders to the UK's economic landscape, from retail and energy to defence and digital innovation.
