BFC Chairman Harold Tillman awarded CBE

British Fashion Council Chairman, Harold Tillman was honored with the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) on Thursday at the Buckingham Palace.

The honor was bestowed upon him by the Royal Princess as the Queen was currently on a Middle-East tour.

Tillman, 64, is known for his entrepreneurial skills and is regarded as one of the biggest retail tycoon of the 21st century. Born into a Jewish family, Tillman was amongst the first male students at the London College of Fashion.

After graduating in 1965, Tillman, then 19, became an apprentice at the Lincroft Clothing on Savile Row and three years later became its managing editor.

Since then, his career graph has shown a northward trend with several successful investments including the ownership of the Austin Reed division Honorbilt (1987).

It is a real honor to be recognized in this way, said Tillman to Vogue.

To celebrate the occasion, the retail entrepreneur invited friends and family to the Savoy. Guests included Godfrey Davis, Chairman of Mulberry; Sir Stuart Rose, Chairman of M&S; and several other friends and colleagues from the British Fashion Council.