The former chief executive of Battersea Power Station Development Company, the business behind the £9 billion redevelopment of the iconic London structure, has received an OBE.
Simon Murphy, who stepped down from his role at the firm in March last year, was handed the award for his services to real estate, heritage and to the community in London in the annual New Year Honours list.
Murphy was appointed as chief financial officer in 2012 by Battersea Power Station Development Company when it acquired the Grade II* listed development and was promoted to deputy chief executive in 2014.
He became chief executive at the firm in April 2018, with the scheme opening its doors to the public for the first time in October 2022, after 11 years of work to regenerate the 42-acre site.
Simon Murphy said progress so far at Battersea Power Station is “an incredible effort by everyone involved” and that the “honour is for all of Team Battersea and our Malaysian shareholders without whom none of this would have been achieved”.
James Darkins, the former chief executive of global real estate investment giant Nuveen and former independent non-executive board member for The Crown Estate, has been awarded a CBE for his services to the public sector.
From 2001, Darkins led the expansion of Henderson’s real estate business in Europe and Asia-Pacific and retired as chief executive of TH Real Estate, now Nuveen Real Estate, in 2015. James was appointed to board counsellor at The Crown Estate on 1 January 2024.
Darkins, who served two four-year terms on The Crown Estate board in 2020, is described by the reigning monarch's property company as having an "extensive experience in global real estate investment management industry".
Another individual from the property sector recognised this year is Caddick Group founder Paul Caddick, who was given an MBE for his services to sport.
Caddick, who founded the Yorkshire-based multi-sector property developer in 1979, completed a takeover of the Leeds Rhinos rugby league team and its Headingley stadium in 1996, following financial difficulties.
Caddick has since helped the team to eight Super League titles and three World Club Challenge titles, as well as leading a major £40 million redevelopment of its stadium.
The business founder and Leeds Rhinos chairman said in a statement: "I am honoured to receive this prestigious award from His Majesty the King for my contribution to sport.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank my team at both Caddick Group and Leeds Rhinos for the tremendous support they have given me over many years and, without this support, and the support of the Leeds Rhinos fans, then I would not be receiving this award."
Other notable figures to be recognised include M&G chair Edward Braham, who was knighted for his services to corporate law and to business.
Braham, who was the senior partner of global law firm Freshfields for five years, became chair of M&G in March 2022, according to his LinkedIn profile.
He is credited with spearheading Freshfields' US expansion and opening its pioneering office in Silicon Valley.
M&G said in a statement: "Edward has played a significant role in the promotion of London as a leading international financial centre, as Chair of the TheCityUK’s International Trade Investment Group and as a Board member, and he also serves as a non-executive member of the Board of HM Treasury.
"We would like to congratulate Edward and his family for this wonderful accolade."
Christopher Katkowski KC, a leading planning lawyer, also received a CBE for his services to planning. Known as "Kit Kat" to those in the industry, he has appeared at hundreds of planning inquiries and court cases over the last 40 years.
His career highlights include The Shard and most recently Places for Everyone, the joint development plan for nine Greater Manchester authorities.
Katkowski said: "I am, literally, honoured to have been made a CBE and would like to say to all the wonderful people who I have worked with over these many years who have helped me to reach this stage of my career that everything you have done is hugely appreciated by me."
Alexander Adam, chair of Scottish housebuilder Springfield Properties, is awarded a CBE for services to the construction industry, while Amos Simbo, founder of Black Professionals in Construction, receives the same honour for his services to the construction industry and to diversity. The latter is also a advisory board member for UKREiiF, the major UK real estate conference.