DFS founder Lord Kirkham and Dunelm founder Bill Adderley have both been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday honours list, alongside six other retailers.
Kirkham was yesterday awarded a Knighthood of the Royal Victorian Order (KVCO), while Dunelm founder Bill Adderley was knighted for services to charity in the latest round of Queen’s Birthday honours.
Kirkham was given his award by the Queen specifically in recognition of his work with the Duke of Edinburgh award, which he has been involved with for over 30 years. The Doncaster-born DFS founder was knighted in 2003.
Lord Kirkham said: “It has been the greatest privilege of my own life to help young people overcome disadvantages and enjoy fuller and more fulfilled lives by building their resilience, self-confidence and teamworking capabilities through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Outward Bound. Both owed their existence to Prince Philip and I am very proud to accept this honour in his memory.”
Other retail recipients included former Harrods and Saks Fifth Avenue boss Andrew Jennings who was made an OBE for services to international trade, fashion and retail.
Seven frontline retail workers were also honoured as Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (MBE): Iceland store managers Casey Abbott and Daniel Burke; Hannah Findlay and Qamar Nawaz from the Co-op; Rosemary Hull and James Beardwell from Sainsbury’s and Kathleen Flynn.
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