The 2026 New Year Honours List has highlighted a broad cross-section of UK business leaders, rewarding contributions from high-growth sectors, corporate stewardship, entrepreneurship and efforts to widen business opportunity and investment.
While the honours system casts a wide net across public service, arts, charity and science, several recipients stand out for their direct impact on the UK’s economy and business landscape.
Banking, finance and corporate leadership
Gary Andrew Hoffman — CBE
Appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to the economy and sport, Hoffman is Chair of Monzo Bank Holding Group and Monzo Bank Ltd. His stewardship comes amid a period of rapid evolution in digital banking and a renewed focus on customer trust and regulatory compliance in UK fintech.
Ian Graham King — CBE
Awarded a CBE in recognition of his role as Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems and as Lead Non-Executive Director for the Department for Transport. King’s leadership at one of the UK’s largest defence and aerospace companies underscores the strategic importance of advanced manufacturing and technology-driven exports to the UK economy.
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