14 DAY TRIAL // You can now address Apple’s chief designer using 'Sir' Jonathan Ive when you bump into him on the street as he has been made a Knight Commander of the British Empire (KBE).
The media obtained a statement from Cupertino’s iconic designer, who reportedly said: “I am keenly aware that I benefit from a wonderful tradition in the UK of designing and making.”
The 44-year old tinkerer added: "To be recognized with this honour is absolutely thrilling and I am both humbled and sincerely grateful. I discovered at an early age that all I've ever wanted to do is design. I feel enormously fortunate that I continue to be able to design and make products with a truly remarkable group of people here at Apple."
Born in London, England, Jonathan Ive is the senior vice president of Industrial Design at Apple, reporting directly to the CEO.
Before Tim Cook became the chief executive, Ive would answer to Steve Jobs, the company’s iconic co-founder who claimed that he and Ive were spiritual partners.
Because of this, Ive is said to have more operational power than anyone, except for the CEO.
Since 1996, Ive has been responsible for leading a design team widely regarded as one of the world’s best.
He has been awarded numerous titles, and some of his works can even be found in museums, including MoMA in New York and the Pompidou in Paris.
Apple’s design guru holds a Bachelor of Arts and an honorary doctorate from Newcastle Polytechnic.
He was named Designer of the Year in 2003 by the Design Museum, London and awarded the title Royal Designer for Industry by The Royal Society of Arts.
In related news, Apple’s late CEO, Steve Jobs is to receive a special "Trustees Award" Grammy from The Recording Academy. A formal announcement will be made on February 12, during annual Grammy Awards ceremony.