SCi head executive Jane Cavanagh has been awarded the title of Officer of the British Empire (OBE) as part of the UK’s New Year Honours list for "services to the computer games industry". Cavanagh founded SCi in 1988, and prior to the company's flotation in 1996 owned 100% of the company's stock. The executive stepped down from her role as chairman of the leading British publisher in July, though she maintains the position as CEO of SCI, which owns Tomb Raider creators Eidos Interactive. Cavanagh is recognized as one of the most prominent female executives in the video game business, and was praised for overseeing the acquisition of Eidos Interactive and the successful continuation of its major properties. 2006 releases such as Tomb Raider: Legend and Hitman: Blood Money have both proven to be global successes for the company, while more recent developments include the securing of rights by SCi to several Warner Bros. Properties, as well as confirmed plans to release a re-imagining of the original Tomb Raider in 2007. Although the British honors system has its roots in medieval times, it is now used to reward personal bravery, achievement or service to the United Kingdom, with entertainers, business leaders and sports personalities commonly receiving awards alongside ordinary members of the public put forward by their community. The video games industry has been recognized by the system before with British author and video game icon Ian Livingstone receiving an OBE in January. Other honorees include Sir Clive Sinclair, who was the recipient of a knighthood, while Argonaut founder Jez San and prominent industry figure Peter Molyneux have previously been awarded OBEs of their own.