New Year Honours: Which big business names made the list?

Sir James Dyson has been awarded the Order of Merit and Ann Summers boss Jacqueline Gold has been given a CBE in the New Year Honours list.

Industry and the economy make up 12% of this honours list. In addition to the recommendations from the Economy Committee for damehoods for Carolyn McCall (EasyJet), Natalie Massenet (Net-A-Porter), and Judith Hackitt (HSE), there is a knighthood for Robert Stheeman, CEO, Debt Management Office; a knighthood for Alan Yarrow, lately Lord Mayor of London; and a knighthood for David Norgrove, Chair, Low Pay Commission and Chair, Family Justice Board.

A number of strong entrepreneurs are also recognised including:

•  A CBE for Anthony Preston, Founder of Pets at Home

•  An OBE for Simon Devonshire, an entrepreneur who has co-founded six start-ups, three of which are now in multi-million pound revenues

•  An OBE for Amanda Boyle, Founder and CEO, Bloom

•  An MBE for Rekha Mehr, Founder, Pistachio Rose

•  An MBE for Judith Ower, Founder and CEO, Playmob, who won a Talent Unleashed Award in 2014 as a rising entrepreneurial star

•  An MBE for Alison Lewy, Founder, Fashion Angel

•  An MBE for Rebecca Bright, Founder, Therapy Box, whose success within the technology market has been inspirational to other women.

Among the well-known names being honoured are:

• A Companion of Honour to Sir Roy Strong for his outstanding contribution to UK cultural life
• A knighthood for champion jump jockey, AP McCoy
• A knighthood for former television journalist, Martyn Lewis, for his service to the voluntary and charitable sector
• A knighthood for the choreographer, Matthew Bourne
• A CBE for Denis Law for services to football and to charity
• A CBE for Francis Lee for services to football and to charity
• An OBE for sports commentator, Sue Barker
• An OBE for singer-songwriter, Damon Albarn
• An OBE for actor, James Nesbitt
• An OBE for actor, David Oyelowo
• An OBE for actor, Idris Elba
• An OBE for cyclist, Chris Froome
• An OBE for snooker player, Ronnie O’Sullivan
• An MBE to sports broadcaster, Jacqui Oatley