For her contributions to promote women’s roles in global trade and entrepreneurship, Maltese born international business strategist Noreen Burroughes (née Cesareo) has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in King Charles III’s Birthday Honours.
Born in Santa Luċija, Burroughes is well known for her broad experience in marketing, enterprise, and gender equality. Learning of the prize via a secret letter from 10 Downing Street, she described the instant as “surreal” —one that only really struck home when the honors list was made public.
“When the official list was released for the King’s Birthday, it became real,” she said.
Advocacy as a Way of Life
Currently executive vice president of the OWIT’s worldwide network, Burroughes is the founding president of the UK chapter. Through these jobs, she has contributed to the design of UK and global trade policy to provide women more equal opportunities.
She also heads Market Accents, her own strategic and marketing company, and serves on many prominent boards including the UK All Party Parliamentary Group for Women and Enterprise, where she oversees the Trade Task Force. She is a director of the Malta Business Network Foundation and its UK equivalent as well as on the World Business Women Board and Savvitas Senate.
Message to Malta: Empowerment Still Needed
Though proud of her achievements, Burroughes emphasized the greater value of inclusive economic growth, especially in Malta. She brought up cultural and institutional obstacles impeding women’s economic potential on the island.
“We still have much to realise, as many women don’t even notice when they are unintentionally closing their own doors,” she said.
She advocates for both internal confidence-building and systemic change, warning that failing to uplift women limits national growth.
“We are also leaving economic growth and value on the table. Once you open the market to half the population, you open it up to everyone.”
Thinking Forward
Burroughes will officially get her MBE at an investiture ceremony coming up. For her, the medal represents unrelenting advocacy, community influence, and inclusive leaderships’ might in addition to a personal achievement.
“I am driven by the desire to see a better world for everyone, especially in terms of the economy and trade. If we can make it better, why not?”
