Business Leaders Recognised in 2025 New Year Honours List
Simon Roberts, chief executive of Sainsbury’s since 2020, has been named Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the retail industry in the 2025 New Year Honours. Roberts is credited with turning around Sainsbury’s by leading the company through the Covid pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, achieving market share gains and a stock price increase of about 75%. However, in 2025, he faced controversy over the trial of facial-recognition technology to deter shoplifting and a plan to cut 3,000 jobs as part of a £1bn cost-cutting drive; he earned more than £5 million in the year to 1 March. Roberts was a member of then-prime minister Rishi Sunak’s 2023 business council and became president of the Institute of Grocery Distribution in 2024.
Other notable honorees include John Pettigrew, former National Grid chief executive, who received a CBE for services to energy. Pettigrew led National Grid for nearly a decade until November and joined the company as a graduate in 1991. Ian King, former BAE Systems chief executive, was awarded a CBE for services to transport and defence, having led BAE for nearly a decade until 2017 with a career spanning over 40 years in the sector.
Gary Hoffman, chair of Monzo and former Northern Rock chief executive, was awarded a CBE for services to the economy and sport. Hoffman chaired the Premier League from 2020 to 2022 but faced criticism over the Newcastle United takeover and the European Super League; investors have reportedly sought his ouster.
Matt Brittin, former head of Google in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, was awarded a CBE for services to technology and enhancing digital skills; he now serves as a non-executive director of Guardian Media Group. Pamela Maynard, Microsoft's chief AI transformation officer, was awarded an OBE.
