Chanel and M&S leaders named in UK’s New year’s Honours list

A number of top business leaders — including the CEO of Chanel and the fashion chief at M&S — have been honoured by the King in the 2025 New Year’s Honours for “innovation, excellence and leadership in growing the UK economy”. 

Leena Nair, the British-Indian exec who’s Global CEO of Chanel, has been given a CBE for services to the retail and consumer sector, “with Chanel being the biggest investor in the UK cultural landscape under her leadership and commitment”.

Simon Murphy, who recently stepped down as the boss of the Battersea Power Station Development Company, spearheaded the £10 billion redevelopment that now includes London’s newest shopping mall. He’s now an OBE.

And Richard Price, has received an MBE for services to fashion. He’s the MD of Clothing & Home at retail giant M&S and returned to the business from running Tesco’s F&F operation in 2020. Since then, M&S has stage a remarkable recovery and has received plaudits for its re-energised fashion offer.

Meanwhile John Culbert, MD of Glenisla Kilts gets an OBE for services to the textile and fashion industries in Scotland. And Smruti Sriram, CEO of conscious fashion label Bags of Ethics, is now an OBE for services to fashion. Bags of Ethics campaigns for textile and manufacturing sector reform.

Beauty isn’t neglected either with make-up artists and entrepreneur Lisa Eldridge now an MBE for her services to cosmetics and fashion. She launched her own brand in 2019 and is also global creative director for Lancôme.