Kurt_eh
03-02-2005, 08:43 AM
Microsoft's Gates being knighted
The king of computer software Bill Gates is due to receive an honorary knighthood from the Queen for his contribution to enterprise in the UK.
Mr Gates, the world's wealthiest man, is also being honoured for his work on poverty reduction around the world, said the Foreign Office.
As an American citizen he cannot use the title "Sir" but will be entitled to put the letters KBE after his name.
Microsoft said Mr Gates, 48, was "absolutely delighted".
The entrepreneur will be made a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
His company has had a profound impact on the British economy
Jack Straw
Honorary awards to foreign nationals are conferred by the Queen on the advice of the foreign secretary.
Jack Straw said he was "delighted" Mr Gates had been honoured.
He added: "He is one of the most important global business leaders of this age.
Aids vaccine
"Microsoft technology has transformed business practices and his company has had a profound impact on the British economy, employing 2,000 people and contributing to the development of the IT sector."
Mr Gates set up Microsoft in 1975 with his childhood friend Paul Allen, and by last year was worth an estimated £28bn.
HONORARY KNIGHTS
Live Aid organiser Bob Geldof
Film director Steven Spielberg
Afghan President Hamid Karzai
Opera star Placido Domingo
The Reverend Billy Graham
DNA pioneer James Watson
Comedian Spike Milligan
Former New York mayor Rudi Giuliani
He and his wife Melinda, who have three children, are also known for their charitable work.
They set up the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000 to improve global health and education.
It has since invested millions in research for an Aids vaccine.
The foundation has also established a scholarship scheme to enable the brightest students to go to Cambridge University.
But Microsoft has been convicted of anti-competitive behaviour in the USA and is being investigated in Europe.
Other Americans who have received the KBE include former president George Bush Senior, former Mayor of New York Rudolph Giuliani and film director Steven Spielberg.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/3428673.stm
Published: 2005/03/02 09:45:29 GMT
© BBC MMV
The king of computer software Bill Gates is due to receive an honorary knighthood from the Queen for his contribution to enterprise in the UK.
Mr Gates, the world's wealthiest man, is also being honoured for his work on poverty reduction around the world, said the Foreign Office.
As an American citizen he cannot use the title "Sir" but will be entitled to put the letters KBE after his name.
Microsoft said Mr Gates, 48, was "absolutely delighted".
The entrepreneur will be made a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
His company has had a profound impact on the British economy
Jack Straw
Honorary awards to foreign nationals are conferred by the Queen on the advice of the foreign secretary.
Jack Straw said he was "delighted" Mr Gates had been honoured.
He added: "He is one of the most important global business leaders of this age.
Aids vaccine
"Microsoft technology has transformed business practices and his company has had a profound impact on the British economy, employing 2,000 people and contributing to the development of the IT sector."
Mr Gates set up Microsoft in 1975 with his childhood friend Paul Allen, and by last year was worth an estimated £28bn.
HONORARY KNIGHTS
Live Aid organiser Bob Geldof
Film director Steven Spielberg
Afghan President Hamid Karzai
Opera star Placido Domingo
The Reverend Billy Graham
DNA pioneer James Watson
Comedian Spike Milligan
Former New York mayor Rudi Giuliani
He and his wife Melinda, who have three children, are also known for their charitable work.
They set up the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000 to improve global health and education.
It has since invested millions in research for an Aids vaccine.
The foundation has also established a scholarship scheme to enable the brightest students to go to Cambridge University.
But Microsoft has been convicted of anti-competitive behaviour in the USA and is being investigated in Europe.
Other Americans who have received the KBE include former president George Bush Senior, former Mayor of New York Rudolph Giuliani and film director Steven Spielberg.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/3428673.stm
Published: 2005/03/02 09:45:29 GMT
© BBC MMV