Several retail entrepreneurs in a variety of sectors have been recognised in the New Year Honours list made public today.

Cambridge Satchel Company founder Julie Deane, who built up the business after starting it from her kitchen, was appointed OBE.

She said: “It is a real honour to be have been awarded an OBE as the result of six years of incredibly hard work.  

“I’m immensely proud of what we have achieved as a company and this recognition is the icing on the cake. We are dedicated to manufacturing within the UK and to receive such recognition in Britain feels just right for us.  

“This is the perfect end to an amazing year for us and we look forward to continued growth both here and internationally over the coming months.”

Whistles chief executive and former Topshop director Jane Shepherdson has been appointed CBE.

Lastminute.com founder Brent Hoberman, who later launched etailer MyDeco and is a backer of online retailer Made.com, was also appointed CBE.

Dickson Poon, owner of department store group Harvey Nichols, was knighted for services to business and higher education.

Poon, who has overseen the international expansion of Harvey Nichols, contributed £10m to the establishment of the Dickson Poon China Centre at St Hugh’s College, Oxford.

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