• Swindon & Wiltshire Awards
• Monday June 15 2026

Knighthoods for media firm founders

Aardman Animations co-founders Peter Lord and David Sproxton have been knighted in the King’s Birthday Honours, recognising their outstanding contribution to the UK’s animation and creative industries, as well as charity work.

The two men who helped build one of Britain’s best-known studios from a school friendship into a global success story.

Lord and Sproxton founded Aardman in the 1970s, and the Bristol-based studio went on to create some of the UK’s most beloved characters, including Wallace and Gromit, Morph and the team behind Chicken Run.

Their work has made Aardman a symbol of British creativity, with the company winning international acclaim while keeping its roots firmly in the South West.

In response to the honour, the pair said they were surprised and deeply grateful, describing the knighthoods as an extraordinary privilege.

Among the other business figures recognised in the South West honours list were Bristol entrepreneur Heather Frankham, who received an MBE in recognition of services to education and skills, Bristol-based Burges Salmon partner Ian Salter, who was awarded an OBE, and Sandra Gordon, co-founder of the Bristol Women in Business Charter, who received an MBE.

A former PE teacher, Heather went on to found Lifetime Training, which she grew into the UK’s largest apprenticeship and skills training provider before exiting the business in 2016.

Following the exit of Lifetime, chaired the turnaround of Paragon Skills and remained as NED as it became part of the Knovia Group, until its recent sale to Eureka.

She later launched Bud Systems, an apprenticeship management platform focused on helping training providers deliver higher-quality learning and better outcomes for learners.

Over the past decade, her work has increasingly combined business leadership with philanthropy and civic contribution.

She founded Origin Workspace in 2019 to create a collaborative base for entrepreneurs in Bristol, with profits supporting the Origin Foundation, which provides grant funding to charities helping young people develop confidence, skills and opportunities in the city.

She also chairs the board of Youth Moves 224 Youth Zone, the new purpose-built youth facility being brought to Bristol in partnership with OnSide.

In addition to this, Heather also serves on the West of England Combined Authority Business Board, where she chairs the Everyday Economy Cluster Group, supports growing businesses as an angel investor, and was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of the County and City of Bristol in 2025.

Responding to the honour, Heather said: “I am grateful to receive this recognition. It reflects the support, trust and commitment of many people I have had the privilege to work alongside over many years.

“My career has been shaped by a belief in the potential of children and young people, and by the importance of education, skills, enterprise and community in helping people thrive.

“Any impact I have had has only been possible through collaboration — with colleagues, partners, charities, educators, young people and organisations across Bristol and beyond.

“I have been fortunate to work with and learn from exceptional people throughout my career, and I see this honour as recognition of that shared effort.

“The work itself remains what matters most, and I look forward to continuing to support opportunities that help young people and communities succeed.”