Hermes boss Saker Nusseibeh is among the recipients of a New Year’s 2020 Honours gong within the financial services.
Other honourees include former RBS chief executive Ross McEwan and financial planner Nick Cann for his charitable work.
Nusseibeh (pictured), who joined Hermes as CIO in 2009 and became chief executive in 2011, received a CBE for services to responsible business and finance.
Hermes chairman David Stewart said the honour recognised the “the energy and enthusiasm with which he has led the argument for a sustainable investment approach that few subscribed to until very recently”.
“The fact that many of these views are now in the mainstream is testament to this,” Stewart said.
Nusseibeh started his career at Mercury Asset Management in 1987 having graduated from King’s College, University of London, with a PhD in medieval history. He went on to manage global strategies at Trust Company of the West before it was acquired by SGAM UK.
Financial planner honoured for services to stroke patients
Nick Cann was also among the 2020 New Year’s honourees albeit for work outside his role within the financial planning community.
The former Institute of Financial Planning chief executive received the British Empire Medal for services to stroke survivors and the Stroke Association, Wales.
Cann suffered a major stroke seven years ago and despite going through intensive treatment to help him relearn how to speak and read gave up his time to fundraise for fellow stroke survivors. Within two years he has raised £120,000 for the Monmouthshire Aphasia Phoenix Project and Strike a Chord choir in Cwmbran.
He said: “Initially, I couldn’t even say or write my name and for a very long time I would confuse the words ‘yes’ and ‘no’. I started re-learning words and using photos to help me say family and friend’s names.
“Now, I am a full-time ambassador for stroke and will continue to raise awareness of this terrible, life-threatening condition that affects so many.”
Controversial knighthood for former work and pensions minister
Former secretary of state for work and pensions Iain Duncan Smith, who landed a knighthood for political and public service, is among the most controversial honourees in the New Year Honours list.
The Chingford and Woodford Green MP was the architect of universal credit and oversaw cuts for beneficiaries during his time in the department from 2010 to 2016.
Labour party councillor Mike Smith-Clare, another honouree, has already handed back his MBE in protest stating he would not be associated with a system that “rewards social cruelty above social conscience”. More than 230,000 people have signed a petition calling for Duncan Smith’s honour to be revoked.
Financial inclusion among themes of New Year Honours list
Former RBS boss Ross McEwan, who is now National Australia Bank chief executive, was among the high profile recipients within the wider financial services sector, landing a CBE.
Nationwide Building Society director Alison Brenchley was recognised for services to financial services and diversity, while Katharine Braddick, HM Treasury director general for financial services, became a companion of the Order of the Bath. Braddick leads the Treasury’s relationship with the Financial Conduct Authority and is a member of the Bank of England financial policy committee.
Four honourees in the New Year Honours list were recognised for services to financial inclusion, each becoming members of the Order of the British Empire.
They were: Caroline Domanski, chief executive of police credit union No1 Copperpot; Roy Lewis of HSBC, who campaigns for better treatment of dementia patients within the savings industry; Teresa Manning, chief executive of ethical credit union Clockwise; and Paul Smyth, who is responsible for digital inclusivity at Barclays.
Citizens Advice chief executive Gillian Guy, who has previously been awarded a CBE, became a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
