MBEs for Henderson Group’s Martin and Geoffrey Agnew
There was special recognition within the retail sector in the King’s Birthday Honours, with brothers Martin and Geoffrey Agnew from the Henderson Group both awarded MBEs.
The current Joint Executive Chairs of the Group were awarded their MBEs for services to business and the community.
The former MDs of the company joined the business 40 years ago after graduating from Ulster University. The pair succeeded their father, John Agnew CBE, as Joint Managing Directors of the Group in 1998, positions they held until 2025.
Speaking of their honours, Martin and Geoffrey said they were honoured to accept the awards on behalf of all their colleagues in the Henderson Group, as well as their retailers, trade customers and suppliers.
WWithout their contribution, the business would not have grown in the way it has over the last 40 years,” they said.
“We acknowledge the guidance of our father, John Agnew CBE and our late grandfather, W.A. Agnew, who both set the standard and values for this business, including the practice of stewardship. As God has blessed us and this business, so we seek to make a lasting difference to the communities in which we trade.”
Under their stewardship, Henderson Group has made capital investments of around £300 million, developing an estate that includes world-class logistics infrastructure and over 500 Company owned and independent retail stores serving communities across Northern Ireland.
Today, Henderson Group is one of the North’s most significant employers, recently surpassing 6,000 employees and contributing £167 million in wages to the local economy each year.
