Simon Roberts receives CBE while former National Grid chief John Pettigrew and ex-BAE Systems boss Ian King also recognised
Sainsbury’s CEO Simon Roberts is among prominent business figures to be recognised in the King’s New Year Honours list.
Mr Roberts, who leads Britain’s second-largest supermarket chain, has been made a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to the retail sector.
Since assuming leadership in 2020, following Mike Coupe’s departure after the collapsed Asda merger, Mr Roberts has navigated the company through significant challenges including pandemic-related upheaval, escalating food prices and mounting operational expenses.
In 2023, he served on the Government’s Business Council, whilst also assuming the presidency of IGD (the Institute of Grocery Distribution) in 2024, where he has championed the broader grocery industry.
Other notable business sector honours include a CBE for John Pettigrew, the former National Grid chief executive, recognising his services to energy.
Mr Pettigrew, who led National Grid for nearly a decade until his retirement in November 2025, spent 34 years at the organisation after joining as a graduate in 1991, progressing through various positions before his appointment as chief executive in 2016.
Upon his departure, chairwoman Paula Reynolds commended his “exemplary” leadership of the electricity grid operator.
Additionally, Ian King, the former chief executive of BAE Systems, becomes a CBE for his services to the transport and defence industries. He spearheaded the FTSE 100 company and Europe’s largest defence contractor for nearly a decade before hanging up his boots in 2017, capping off an impressive four-decade-long career in the defence industry.
Gary Hoffman, chairman of Monzo and former Northern Rock boss, has been awarded a CBE.
Mr Hoffman, who was drafted into Northern Rock in 2008 following its near-collapse a year prior due to the credit crunch, has been honoured for his contributions to the economy and sport.
His tenure as Premier League chairman from 2020 to 2022 wasn’t without controversy, particularly over his management of Newcastle United’s takeover by a consortium led by the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
Currently at the helm of digital bank Monzo, Mr Hoffman has recently faced calls from several investors for his removal, as reported by the Financial Times earlier this month.
Meanwhile Pamela Maynard, Microsoft’s chief AI transformation officer, has been made an OBE.
Jonathan Hague, head of R&D at Unilever, and Peter Higgins, co-founder of men’s clothing brand Charles Tyrwhitt, have also been made OBEs.
