Online and multichannel retailers win birthday honours

Online and multichannel retailers have been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Charlie Mayfield, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, has been knighted, while Sarah Curran, founder and chief executive of mywardrobe.com won an MBE, alongside Sophie Cornish and Holly Tucker of Notonthehighstreet.com and Bec Astley-Clarke of multichannel jewellery designer and retailer Astley Clarke.


Sophie Cornish and Holly Tucker, who founded Notonthehighstreet seven years ago, said they were proud and honoured to be recognised for their services to small businesses and enterprise.

“Seven years ago, when we launched notonthehighstreet.com from the kitchen table, we never thought we would now be supporting over 3,500 of our country’s most creative small businesses with one of the UK’s fastest growing online marketplaces.

“Our MBEs are testament to our thriving small business partners who inspire us every day and whose products are the heartbeat of our company as we continue to support and promote them. We hope it will encourage many other entrepreneurs who have a great idea to have the confidence and courage to get their own businesses off

the ground.”

Bec Astley-Clarke, who also launched her business seven years ago and now sells through UK and US websites as well as in a range of in-store concessions, said: “I am so delighted to have received this MBE. The whole Astley Clarke team and our partners have worked tirelessly over the last seven years to build and grow our beautiful British luxury jewellery brand – it is absolutely lovely to feel that there is recognition for all of our hard work.”