The New Year’s Honours List for 2026 has recognised a number of outstanding leaders from across the UK fashion and textile sector, celebrating contributions that span craftsmanship, education, community development, entrepreneurship and charitable impact. Together, UKFT believes these honours reflect the breadth and social value of our industry which is rooted in heritage while actively shaping the future.

Ian Angus Mackenzie MBE, chairman of Harris Tweed Hebrides

Ian Angus Mackenzie has been awarded an MBE for services to the Harris Tweed® industry and Scottish textiles, marking a career spanning more than 50 years. Beginning as a weaver, he developed a deep practical understanding of the craft that informed his later roles as an educator, industry leader and advocate.

He played a key role in the development of the Harris Tweed Act of Parliament 1993, helping to protect the provenance and global reputation of the cloth. As founding director and first chief executive of Harris Tweed Hebrides, he led the industry through renewal while maintaining its commitment to heritage, quality and sustainable island employment. Now serving as chairman, he continues to champion legacy, low impact production and relevance for future generations.

Jo Tutchener-Sharp OBE, founder of Scamp & Dude

Jo Tutchener-Sharp has been awarded an OBE for services to fashion and charity. She founded Scamp & Dude in 2016 after recovering from brain surgery and experiencing prolonged separation from her young children. That personal experience shaped a purpose-led brand centred on comfort, reassurance and emotional wellbeing.

Scamp & Dude is known for its bright designs and its commitment to giving back. For every Superhero Sleep Buddy sold, the brand donates one to a child in need, while each Super Scarf purchased funds a scarf for women undergoing cancer treatment. The honour recognises both the commercial success of the brand and its sustained charitable impact.

Marion Foster MBE, founder of the College of Master Kilt Tailors

Marion Foster has been awarded an MBE for services to Scottish craftsmanship. As founder of the College of Master Kilt Tailors, she has played a central role in safeguarding the endangered heritage craft of kilt tailoring through an innovative, accredited training programme.

The College combines deep technical knowledge with digital delivery, using technology to capture the nuances of traditional techniques and support lifelong learning. Its work encompasses bespoke tailoring, restoration and renovation, contributing to a circular economy by extending the life of cherished garments.

In November, the UKFT president Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited the College, recognising its leadership in professional standards, education and the preservation of intangible cultural heritage. Marion’s honour reflects decades of advocacy for craft excellence, sustainability and the future of skilled making.

Lorraine (Laurie) Peake MBE, founder of Super Slow Way and the British Textile Biennial

Laurie Peake has been awarded an MBE for services to the community in Lancashire. Since founding Super Slow Way in 2015, she has placed local people, places and participation at the heart of its work, inviting artists from around the world to collaborate with communities along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal corridor in East Lancashire.

Under her leadership, Super Slow Way has delivered more than 100 projects, engaging over 400,000 participants and transforming former textile sites into spaces for creativity, connection and learning. The programme has commissioned internationally recognised artists, including Turner Prize winners Lubaina Himid and Jasleen Kaur, while ensuring work is rooted in local context and experience.

Laurie is also the founder and artistic director of the British Textile Biennial. Inspired by Lancashire’s textile heritage, the most recent edition delivered 32 exhibitions across 19 venues, bringing together artists, designers, curators and local contributors sharing personal stories and objects. Her award recognises a decade of work that demonstrates how culture can support community ownership, regeneration and new local economies.

Peter Higgins OBE, co-founder of Charles Tyrwhitt

Peter Higgins has been awarded an OBE for services to commerce, entrepreneurship and education. As co-founder of Charles Tyrwhitt, he has helped build one of the UK’s most recognisable menswear brands while also supporting education and enterprise initiatives. His recognition highlights the role of business leadership in strengthening the wider fashion and retail ecosystem.

Anna Dawe OBE, principal of Wigan & Leigh College

Anna Dawe has been awarded an OBE for services to further education, skills and the communities served by Wigan & Leigh College, a UK Fashion & Textile Association education partner. Since her appointment as principal, she has led significant growth and transformation, strengthening teaching quality, expanding technical pathways and deepening employer partnerships.

Her leadership has driven major investment in modern, inclusive and sustainable learning environments, while her focus on widening participation and social mobility has supported learners from a wide range of backgrounds. The honour also recognises her wider contribution to the further education sector and her advocacy for the role of colleges in economic regeneration and community wellbeing.

Simon Roberts CBE, chief executive of Sainsbury’s

Simon Roberts has been appointed a CBE. As chief executive of Sainsbury’s, his leadership has had a significant influence on the UK retail landscape, including fashion supply chains, employment and skills. His recognition reflects the interconnected nature of retail, manufacturing and education across the sector.

Celebrating leadership, purpose and place

UKFT is delighted to see that this year’s honours highlight the diversity of leadership within the UK fashion and textile sector, from global retail and manufacturing to education, craft, culture and community-led practice. Each recipient demonstrates how fashion and textiles can generate economic value while also supporting wellbeing, skills, sustainability and cultural continuity.

Collectively, these awards underline the sector’s contribution to society and its capacity to connect people, places and purpose through making, learning and enterprise. Congratulations!