New Year Honours List 2015: James Caan, Brent Hoberman, Julie Deane and the other entrepreneurs receiving recognition
It's that time of year again: the Queen's New Year Honours list shows which of the UK's finest will don a hat for a trip to Buckingham Palace.
And although Esther Rantzen and Sheridan Smith are among the big names on the list, a host of entrepreneurs have been recognised, including some of the UK's biggest names in business.
Read on for the lowdown on who, what and why.
1. James Caan – CBE
Since the former Dragon quit the Den, he's spent much of his time building up The Startup Loans Company, which issues government-sponsored loans to small businesses. He's being recognised for services to entrepreneurship, but also for charitable services through the James Caan foundation, which raises money for social enterprise.
2. Brent Hoberman – CBE
Earlier in December, the man behind Lastminute.com (and its catastrophic IPO) watched as his first big business was sold by owner Sabre Holdings to Swiss travel firm Bravofly Rumbo for $120m (£76m). Now Hoberman – who co-founded early-stage investor PROfounders Capital with fellow entrepreneurs including Bebo founder Michael Birch – is being recognised for his services to entrepreneurship.
3. Marie Macklin – CBE
The chief executive of Scottish property developer Klin Group works as a mentor to young entrepreneurs, and is a strong voice in the women in business scene north of the border, running a women in enterprise initiative in Ayshire. She's being honoured for services to economic regeneration – Klin was one of the first private investors in the regeneration of Tollcross in Glasgow – and Scottish entrepreneurship.
4. Julie Deane – OBE
Most of us remember Deane as the subject of that tear-jerking Google Chrome ad back in 2013 – now the Cambridge Satchel Company founder is getting an OBE. The mother-of-two, who famously started the business to put her daughter through private school, has built a £10m company from an investment of just £600. She's being recognised for her services to entrepreneurship.
5. Sam Sangha – OBE
Sangha's decision in 2003 to start an oriental food importer, Asiana, to give his daughters an opportunity to work in business was prudent: together, they've built up a £20m business. Earlier this year, he was awarded the title of ambassador of the city of Nottingham. Sangha is being recognised for his services to entrepreneurship.
6. Sarah Jewell – MBE
At the end of last year, Jewell's insurance broker, SJA International, joined forces with CityMain Healthcare to create the largest independent insurance brokerage and consultancy in Sussex. Now, Jewell is being honoured for her services to entrepreneurship in the medical health industry.
7. Mark Johnson – MBE
Johnson reckons that by the time he was 29, his "criminal havoc" had cost the government £1.8m through social services, prison, police, criminal activity and drug intervention. Now he runs User Voice, a service which aims to reduce offending and campaigns for government intervention for troubled children at school age, "before coming into contact with any criminal justice agency". Unsurprisingly, he's being recognised for services to vulnerable people.
8. Richard Moross – MBE
Moross has business running through his veins: dad Trevor is joint-managing director at high-end property manager Dorrington, while sister Kate is a graphic designer who has created designs for, among others, Topshop. As the founder of Moo – which turned the printing industry on its head – Moross is being recognised for his services to entrepreneurship.
9. Shaa Wasmund – MBE
The founder of small business advice site Smarta (another provider for the government's startup loans), Wasmund has published several books. She is being recognised for services to business and entrepreneurship.
10. Emma Willis – MBE
Shirt designer Willis started her business in 1987 at the age of 19. Now, with a shop in Jermyn Street, her Gloucester-based factory works with fashion students at the University of Gloucestershire. She's being recognised for services to entrepreneurship.
