The Queen has recognised the achievements
of a number of entrepreneurs in the latest honours list.
A number of entrepreneurs in the UK have been recognised in the Queen's birthday honours list. Among those who picked up awards from the monarch were Natalie Massenet of Net-a-porter and Lopa Patel, who founded an Asian lifestyle website.
Ms Massenet received an MBE from the head of state at the ceremony at Buckingham Palace in recognition of her achievements in running a business. Under her leadership, the online fashion retailer recorded a 234 per cent increase in net profits this year, up to £10.1 million. Ms Patel received her honour for setting up the website RedHotCurry.com.
She commented: "For many, such a great honour as this would be the culmination of many years of hard work and effort. For me it marks [the] start of a new chapter in giving back to business and the community." The entrepreneur added that expectations of her were now high and that she would be expected to help raise the profile of the Asian community in the UK. Encouraging more women to consider setting up a business was also identified as one of the future goals for Ms Patel.
This comes after Tatjana Hine, president of the British Association of Women Entrepreneurs, said some female members of the workforce are finding that setting up their own business is the only solution to balancing professional and family life. She noted that it is easier for many women to arrange their own hours by setting up a business, rather than having to consider what their employers want.
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