Lolita Jackson, American business executive, to receive Honorary MBE

Honouree recognised for services to US and UK transatlantic relations

(NEW YORK – 18 MAY 2021): On behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Antony Phillipson, British Consul General in New York and Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for North America, is pleased to announce that Ms. Lolita Jackson, former Special Advisor of Climate Policy & Programs, Office of the New York City Mayor, has been recognised by the UK Honours System. Ms. Jackson has been made an honorary Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition for her services to transatlantic business relations and climate diplomacy.

“I congratulate Lolita on her well-deserved honour,” said Mr. Phillipson. “For over a decade, she has championed UK-US relations across a wide variety of sectors. From climate finance to her former role as Chairman of the British American Project, Lolita’s tireless networking has provided the UK Government with invaluable support in the NYC-area and across the US.”

Since 2004, Ms. Jackson has been a firm friend of the British Consulate. As a fellow with the British American Project, she has helped the UK Government vastly expand their network of influencers across the US.  She has also significantly enhanced UK-US ties through her leadership of the Royal Society of Arts in the USA; her work on climate resilience at the NYC Mayor’s Office (on which she has also boosted collaboration with the UK and been an advocate for UK climate goals); and her broader cultural links to the UK, and especially Scotland.

“I am thrilled to receive this honor.  The very first trip I ever needed a passport for was to the UK over 25 years ago, and I have been engaging ever since with its people, its institutions and its culture through volunteer leadership and musical performance. From Edinburgh, to Cardiff, to Isle of Wight and all points in between – it has been a privilege to help foster relationships and engage deeply in British society.”

Ms. Jackson currently serves as Executive Director of Communications & Sustainable Cities with Sustainable Development Capital, LLP. She has been a fellow at the Royal Society of Arts since 2010, joining the Board of RSA US in 2013 and becoming US Chair in 2016. In this guise, she has hosted events throughout the US for fellows and interested parties, working with Consulates in Boston, Miami and San Francisco and the Embassy in Washington. She has also been a Trustee of the Children’s Aid Society Charity for more than 17 years. She is also a member of The Saint Andrew’s Society of New York.

The UK honours system recognises exceptional achievement and service to the nation, and includes non-British nationals who receive “honorary” awards for their important contribution to British interests. All British honours are awarded on merit, and honorary awards are conferred by HM The Queen on the advice of the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office. Ms. Jackson may forthwith use “MBE” after her name should she wish to do so.

###

For more information, please contact:

Toby Usnik, Head of Communications

Toby.Usnik@fcdo.gov.uk