Maltese-Born Business Leader Noreen Burroughes Receives MBE at Windsor

News: Maltese-Born Business Leader Noreen Burroughes Receives MBE at Windsor

Noreen Burroughes Receives her MBE at Windsor Castle, January 2026. London, 19 February 2026 — Noreen Burroughes (née Cesareo) has received her Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) from Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal at an investiture ceremony held at Windsor Castle, in recognition of her services to women in international trade and entrepreneurship.

The honour was originally announced in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List and recognises her sustained contribution to advancing women’s economic empowerment across the UK and internationally.

With a long-standing commitment to inclusive international trade and enterprise, Burroughes has become a recognised strategic voice in both UK and global spheres. Her work focuses on shaping more inclusive markets, strengthening capacity building, advancing inclusive supply chains, and embedding gender-responsive approaches within business and trade ecosystems.

Her portfolio bridges research, policy engagement, business leadership and grassroots advocacy — enabling women to upskill in digital and enterprise capabilities while accessing international trade and investment opportunities.

Burroughes is the founding President of the UK Chapter of the Organisation of Women in International Trade (OWIT) and serves as Executive President of OWIT International, working with UK trade institutions and multilateral stakeholders to strengthen women’s integration into global trade systems. She recently co-hosted and organised the Malta Women and Finance Summit in Malta, to increase financial literacy among Maltese women of all ages.

Speaking following the ceremony at Windsor Castle, Burroughes said:
“Receiving the MBE at Windsor Castle from Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal was a very special and humbling moment. It represents nearly two decades of collaboration, shared purpose and collective effort. This recognition belongs to the many women and men working every day to build stronger, more inclusive economies — in the UK, globally and here in Malta.”

Burroughes leads Market Accents, the strategic advisory she founded in 2007. She sits on several UK and international boards, including the Malta Business Network Foundation and the OWIT UK Chapter Board. She is also a Trustee of the Commonwealth Girls Education Fund (CGEF), supporting access to education for girls across the Commonwealth.

Originally from Santa Luċija, Malta, she was educated at Immaculate Conception School, Tarxien, and De La Salle College, Cottonera, and is a postgraduate alumna of the University of Malta. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA). Burroughes is married to financial journalist Tom Burroughes of Halesworth, Suffolk, and lives in London.

This award acknowledges her sustained contribution to mainstreaming gender equity in trade policy and practice, both within the UK and internationally.

Noreen Burroughes Awarded MBE for Championing Women in International Trade and Entrepreneurship

London, 14 June 2025 — Noreen Burroughes (née Cesareo) has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List, recognising her services to women in international trade and to entrepreneurship.

With an interest in international trade and women’s economic empowerment for more than a decade, Noreen has been a strategic force in the UK and international spheres, shaping inclusive global markets and promoting capacity building, inclusive supply chains and business models. Her work bridges research, contributions to policy, business leadership, and grassroots advocacy, enabling more women to upskill in digital and business, and access international trade and investment opportunities.

Noreen is the founding President of the UK Chapter of the Organisation of Women in International Trade (OWIT) and currently the Executive Vice President globally. In these roles, she has worked with UK trade initiatives and multilateral organisations to advance the role of women in global trade systems. She has also built long-standing partnerships with influential UK and international networks, helping to equip women entrepreneurs with the insight, confidence, and global networks to scale beyond borders.

Noreen’s expertise spans strategic policy advisory, programme design, and business ecosystem development — all anchored in a belief that sustainable economic growth depends on the full participation of women as creators, exporters, and leaders.

“This honour is a privilege — and a recognition of the women and male allies I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside, who are driving change and redefining leadership in global business,” said Noreen. “I’ve seen firsthand the impact when women are supported to trade internationally, the economic uplift is felt across communities and global businesses — and I remain committed to building ecosystems that unlock their full potential.”

Noreen also runs Market Accents, a strategic and marketing firm she founded in 2007, and sits on several boards, including the business board of the UK All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for women and enterprise, chairing the trade task force; the Savvitas Senate and World Business Women. She is a Trustee of the  Commonwealth Girls Education Fund CGEF, a founding director of Malta Opera and a director of the Malta Business Network Foundation and the UK Chapter Board. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), reflecting her contribution to society through enterprise and innovation.

Noreen is originally from Santa Lucia, Malta. She is married to financial journalist Tom Burroughes of Halesworth, Suffolk, in East Anglia, and lives in London.

This award acknowledges her sustained contribution to mainstreaming gender equity in trade policy and practice, both within the UK and globally.

Market Accents