Apple innovator receives knighthood

Mr Ive has been made a Knight Commander of the British Empire (KBE) in recognition of services to design and enterprise.

A graduate of Northumbria’s Design for Industry course, Mr Ive was awarded an Honorary Degree from the University in 2000. In 2003, he was named Designer of the Year by the Design Museum London and awarded the title of Royal Designer for Industry by The Royal Society of Arts.

Raised in Chingford, Mr Ive began working for Apple in 1992 and since then has been credited as a key creative force behind the iMac, iPod, iPhone and iPad.

He said he was "both humbled and sincerely grateful" to receive the knighthood honour, adding:  "I am keenly aware that I benefit from a wonderful tradition in the UK of designing and making.

"I discovered at an early age that all I’ve ever wanted to do is design."

Professor Steven Kyffin, Dean of the School of Design, said: "We are absolutely delighted Jonathan Ive has been honoured in this way as it not only recognises Sir Jonathan’s contribution to design and Apple’s  commitment to offering products and services of the highest quality, it also reflects the continuing ambitions of Northumbria School of Design, from where Sir Jonathan graduated in 1989.

"Our School aims to ensure that design always takes a strategic and pivotal role at the boardroom table. We want to enable design to take a cultural role rather than merely packaging technology delivered for its own sake. And thirdly, all that we create should be manufactured to the highest aesthetic and technical quality. As William Morris said, 'Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful'."

The knighthood is the second time Mr Ive has been recognised in the honours list. In 2005 he was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE).