Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. He was also Mayor of the Olympic Village. In May 2021, it was announced that Allen would be the next chairman of the Balfour Beatty construction group, succeeding Philip Aiken from 20 July 2021. Following criticism of the THG's governance arrangements, Allen replaced Matt Moulding as chairman of THG plc in March 2022. Honours Allen was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2003 New Year Honours "for services to the XVII Commonwealth Games". He was knighted in the 2012 New Year Honours "for services to the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics". On 1 August 2013, it was announced that Allen was to become a Labour peer in a list of new appointments to the House of Lords. He was created a Life Peer on 2 October 2013 taking the title Baron Allen of Kensington, of Kensington in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. In May 2016, Allen was appointed as a member of the Lords Communications Committee. In 2005 he was awarded the Freedom of the City of Liverpool. Personal life Allen lives in Kensington with his partner of more than 20 years, Michael, an architect. References ITV people 1957 births Living people British LGBT businesspeople Scottish LGBT politicians LGBT life peers Life peers created by Elizabeth II Labour Party (UK) life peers Scottish businesspeople Knights Bachelor Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Labour Party (UK) officials International Emmy Directorate Award People educated at Bellshill Academy