Business critics of the Theresa May’s Brexit negotiations and a no-deal exit from the EU are among the recipients of the Queen’s birthday honours.
Carolyn Fairbairn, director-general of the CBI, the country’s largest business lobby group, becomes a dame. Like many corporate figures, she has had a strained relationship with Theresa May during the prime minister’s three years in Downing Street.
Ms Fairbairn reluctantly backed Mrs May’s deal earlier this year, but has expressed frustration at the disarray over Britain’s departure from the EU and warned a no-deal Brexit would have huge impact on the country’s businesses and economy.
Other business leaders on the list include Rolls-Royce chairman Ian Davis, who becomes a knight. The British Aerospace group has also called on politicians to negotiate a practical deal that works for business and avoid a no deal exit.
Stuart Crooks, managing director of Hinkley Point C power station, has been made a CBE for services to nuclear energy. It is the only nuclear power station under construction after a 2013 deal that was heavily criticised for its high costs to consumers.
Those currently in charge of the awards have in recent years striven for public legitimacy in the face of criticism of cronyism.
Women make up almost half of the people on this year’s list, while a 10th of the recipients are black, Asian or minority ethnic. A total of 75 per cent of the honours have gone to people for their “outstanding work” in or for their local community.
Nimco Ali and Leyla Hussein, campaigners and survivors of female genital mutilation, are both made OBEs.
Overall, 1,073 people are decorated in this year’s honours list, including stars of the arts and sport, as well as politicians and government officials.
Paul Clarke, director of technology at Ocado, the UK-based online grocer, and Jaguar’s award-winning director of design Ian Callum, are both made CBEs, as are Shane Legg, co-founder and chief scientist at the British artificial intelligence group DeepMind, and Lesley Titcomb, outgoing chief executive of the UK’s Pensions Regulator.
Government figures on the list include Andrew Parker, head of MI5, the domestic security service, and James Wates, an adviser to business secretary Greg Clark, who both become knights. Elizabeth Corley, a government environmental adviser, is made a dame.
Among the politicians receiving honours are Norman Lamb, a Liberal Democrat MP and former minister for community and social care, and Labour MP George Howarth, who are both made knights.
Mrs May, who stepped down as Conservative party leader on Friday and quits as prime minister after a new party leader is elected, will announce a resignation honours list later this year.
