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Peter Lord and David Sproxton, co-founders of animation company Aardman, which created characters including Morph, have been knighted in the King’s 2026 birthday honours.
Launched as a kitchen table project in Bristol in 1972, Aardman is now an international success story thanks to TV and cinema hits like Wallace and Gromit.
In a joint statement about their knighthoods, Lord and Sproxton said:
“We both feel it is an extraordinary privilege and an honour – as well as a complete and utter surprise – to be recognised in this way. Whilst the honour is being awarded to us as individuals, it really reflects on Aardman as a company.
“Over 50 years we have worked with hundreds, if not thousands, of brilliant people whose dedication, talent and skills have contributed to making Aardman a globally recognised and multi-award-winning studio, and one regarded by many as a national treasure here in the UK. As we accept these awards, we humbly bow and salute all of those who have joined us on this extraordinary journey.”
Among the other entrepreneurs on the list are Christopher Hulatt, co-founder of investment firm Octopus Group, who receives an CBE, and David Fishwick, the founder of Burnley Savings and Loans who inspired the Bank of Dave Netflix films. He has been awarded an OBE.
David Fishwick said:
“It’s just wonderful that His Majesty the King has spent some time looking at what we’ve been doing and seen fit to award us an OBE.
“It’s just unbelievable. And from a lad from Burnley, who set off with absolutely no qualifications whatsoever. I left school at 16, absolutely useless.”
Also receiving an OBE are:
- Helen Clare Hornby, founder of fashion brand ME+E
- Jonathan Lutwyche, founder of environmental consultancy Yordas Group
- Iftikhar Nasir, founder of share schemes software firm Vestd
- Sophie Ross, founder of Trotters Childrenswear
- Debbie Wosskow, entrepreneur and co-chair of the Invest in Women Taskforce
Entrepreneurs getting an MBE include:
- Helene Martin Gee, founder of female leadership service Savvitas
- Sakilbabu Kola, founder of Bri-Tek Technologies
- Kirsty Thatcher, founder of Milk & Honey PR
- Hollie Whittles, founder of Purple Frog Systems and Fraggleworks
- Heather Frankam, founder of Bristol office space Origin Workspace and training platform Bud Systems
- Maurice Geddis, co-founder of Avondale Foods
