By, Marcus Dysch
1 min read
ByMarcus Dysch, Marcus Dysch
For more than 20 years he has been the fashion company founder who avoided the limelight. But the man who created the iconic Ted Baker label has now been recognised for his services to the industry.
Ray Kelvin, who opened his first men's shirt shop in Glasgow in 1988, shuns publicity, refusing to have his photograph taken and maintaining the pretence that "Ted" is a real person.
But Mr Kelvin, a former JFS pupil, was made CBE in the New Year's Honours list for services to fashion, rewarding his more than 30 years of service.
He learnt his trade in his grandfather's tailor's shop in Edmonton, close to the family home in Cockfosters, north London.
Mr Kelvin, a lifelong Spurs fan, said: "I learnt so much from my beloved parents, from working in the family business as a youngster, and would like to thank them for their unswerving and generous support.
"My recently departed mum would have loved this occasion and I know they're all looking down at me with real pride right now. This one's not an 'ology,' Mum."
Mr Kelvin's mother, Trudie, worked in Ted Baker stores, serving customers into her 70s.
● Music industry executive Ellis Rich was made OBE for services to the music publishing industry.
Mr Rich created the Independent Music Group publishing consortium in 1989. It controls the copyrights of music back-catalogues. He worked at EMI and became chair of the Performing Rights Society in 2005.