BCC Director General Awarded CBE 

Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. 

She was awarded her CBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List for 2025 for services to business. 

Responding to the news of her award, Shevaun said: 

“The last four years have been the most fulfilling of my career. I love championing the cause of British business and striving to make the UK the best place to start, grow and invest in firms. 

“So, this really is the icing on the cake to receive this recognition from His Majesty, who is also the patron of the BCC. 

“It was totally unexpected, it’s not often that my teenage sons are that interested in my job, but this did actually impress them. 

“It is a humbling experience to be recognised in this way because I see all the hard work done by so many people in the BCC and across the Chamber Network on behalf of our brilliant businesses. 

“They have all contributed to making the BCC what it is today, and they have all played in part in this recognition.” 

Sarah Howard MBE, Chair of the BCC, added:  

“Shevaun has been an inspirational leader for the BCC, and she is highly regarded by the Board of Directors. 

“This recognition from His Majesty will come as no surprise to anyone who has worked alongside her and seen how committed she is to the cause of UK business. 

“It is thoroughly deserved, and I would like to pass on huge congratulations from the BCC Board and the entire Chamber Network to her.” 

Shevaun became the Director General of the BCC at the end of April 2021. She was formerly Head of Business Engagement at 10 Downing Street and at the heart of Government in the Cabinet Office as Head of the Inclusive Economy Partnership. 

She initially started her career in consultancy, working in London and New York. She then moved to the Walt Disney Company in strategic planning before joining Disneyland Paris, where she was heavily involved in opening the second theme park.  

After this she moved into the agency world, running global accounts for Millward Brown, Mindshare and WPP. 

She then became a partner in a start-up digital innovation agency and venture builder, Independents United, where she also became an Advisor for the Danson Foundation.  

More recently, she was the New Ventures Director for Avado, building new businesses in Edtech and founding the Academy of Digital Business Leaders. 

She is a Trustee of Barefoot College International, and sits on the Boards of the BCC, the Women of the World Foundation (WoW) and the International Chambers of Commerce UK (ICC UK).