In the coming months, former Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts will assume her new position as the senior vice president in charge of Apple's retail and online sales efforts. Before she leaves the fashion world for technology, Ahrendts will be made an honorary Dame of the British Empire for her work at Burberry, reports The Daily Mail.
Because she is American, Ahrendts won't receive the honor from the Queen at Buckingham Palace, and she won't be allowed to use the title Dame, only the initials DBE (Dame of the British Empire) at the end of her name. She will be honored at a small ceremony to be held today at the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills in Westminister with the UK's business secretary Vince Cable as the Master of Ceremonies.
Mr Cable will pay tribute to the mother of three, from Indiana, describing her as a ‘landmark figure in business’ and a ‘powerful role model to the next generation of young British talent.’
He will say: ‘She has revitalised this iconic British brand with flair and cutting edge innovation, allied with sound commercial acumen.’
Ahrendts is not the only Apple executive to receive the honorable title from the British government. Apple's Jony Ive received his knighthood in 2011 and described the honor as "absolutely thrilling." Steve Jobs also was set to be awarded honorary knighthood, but his nomination was reportedly blocked for political reasons by Gordon Brown, who was Prime Minister at the time.
