Jaya Chakrabarti, the Bristol entrepreneur and co-founder of digital comms agency Nameless, has been awarded the MBE for services to the creative digital industries and the community in Bristol in the Queen's Birthday honours list.
Jaya, pictured, who describes herself as a digital activist, is well known in the Bristol business community as a campaigner on a number of issues and a strong advocate for the city as a tech and creative hub. 
She chaired the Mayor for Bristol campaign that achieved the only Yes vote in the country in May 2012.
Among her many other roles, Jaya chairs local democracy organisation Bristol Manifesto which aims to ensure that the disengaged are re-engaged and empowered and is a long-running member of the advisory board of the West of England Initiative and a non-executive director of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Initiative – both run by Business West.
Jaya said: “As a British Asian businesswoman I feel extremely honoured to receive this MBE.
“It was a total shock given that all I've actually been is a tiny pilot light in our beautiful city. Throughout my career I have been truly privileged to work with some amazing, committed, energetic activists and entrepreneurs with bags of integrity and vision, and this honour really belongs to everyone who has walked by my side in this journey.”
Business West managing director Phil Smith said: "Energetic and refreshing, Jaya brings her considerable knowledge and skills to Business West's work and is fully deserving of this honour.”
Dick Penny, managing director of Bristol media centre Watershed, where Jaya serves on the board, said: “Jaya’s contribution to the cultural and creative industries in Bristol has been inspirational. Her enthusiasm and energy are always full of generosity. We are thrilled to congratulate her on receiving the MBE.”
Watford-born Jaya came to Bristol to study physics at Bristol University. She abandoned her PhD in 1999 to start Nameless.
Jaya, a mother of two young sons, is committed and enthusiastic about increasing democratic engagement, net neutrality, education, privacy, protecting children, women’s rights and human rights.
