The man behind Apple’s world-leading design team Jonathan Ive has been awarded a knighthood in the Queen’s annual New Year Honour’s list.
The Chingford-raised Apple design guru started his career at Apple in 1992 and is credited for the infamous designs of the iMac, iPod, MacBook Air, iPhone and iPad.
Ive attended Northumbria University and studied industrial design – he was one of Steve Jobs’ finest appointments, with his designs achieving worldwide noteriety and helped build Apple’s design-focused brand during the nineties and naughties.
From now on Ive will be known as Sir Jonathan Ive, he has issued a statement where he is clearly thrilled and honoured by the Royal recognition.
He said: “I am keenly aware that I benefit from a wonderful tradition in the UK of designing and making.
“To be recognized with this honour is absolutely thrilling and I am both humbled and sincerely grateful. I discovered at an early age that all I’ve ever wanted to do is design.
“I feel enormously fortunate that I continue to be able to design and make products with a truly remarkable group of people here at Apple.”
The timing of Ive’s honour may be a further sign of the UK’s recognition of tech as government presses on with plans to turn London’s so-called Tech City into the new Silicon Valley.
Let us know your thoughts on our comments below or via our @Gadget_Helpline Twitter page or Official Facebook group.