Richard Marshall Awarded MBE in King’s New Year Honours

Expelled at 15 to Government Advisor

by HAYDN | INFORM

British entrepreneur and founder of Pall Mall Barbers, Richard Marshall, has been awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year Honours List for Services to International Trade, Mentoring and to People with Dyslexia.

Marshall’s journey is one of the most remarkable stories in modern British barbering, a transformation defined by resilience, self-belief and an unwavering commitment to opening doors for others.

Diagnosed with severe dyslexia at the age of five, Richard struggled throughout childhood with reading, writing and spelling, even finding it difficult to write his own name. Later in life, undiagnosed ADHD added further complexity. Expelled from school at just 15 with no formal qualifications, his early prospects appeared limited. For the first decade of running his business, everyday tasks such as filling out cheques remained a challenge.

Yet it was through observation, practical learning and mentorship, rather than traditional education, that Marshall began to forge a different path. Against the odds, he went on to build one of the world’s oldest barbershop brands into a global enterprise, with locations in London and New York, and a reputation for British excellence on the international stage.

Despite the barriers he faced, Marshall rebuilt his life through determination and alternative ways of learning, becoming one of the UK’s most respected figures across men’s grooming, hairdressing, small business and exports.

His story reached national prominence when former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak referenced Richard live on television, highlighting his resilience and contribution to British entrepreneurship.

Today, Marshall advises the UK Government as a member of the Small Business Growth Council, helping to shape policy for the 5.6 million small businesses that underpin the UK economy.

Reflecting on the honour, Richard said: “I’m overwhelmed to receive an MBE from the King. I hope my story and journey demonstrate that it really is possible to overcome the most difficult of challenges. It’s not easy, so I focused on a different direction — grabbing every opportunity with both hands and learning everything I could from other businesspeople. Now I share my knowledge to show parents, employers and teachers that dyslexia and neurodivergence do not mean a restricted future. It’s about instilling can-do confidence.”