Overview
- King Charles conferred the title in the 2026 New Year Honours, with the citation focused on Elba’s service to young people rather than his acting career.
- Elba said he accepted the recognition on behalf of young people and called for sustained, practical support to steer them away from violence.
- His Don’t Stop Your Future initiative works with grassroots groups to combat knife crime, alongside the Elba Hope Foundation he co-founded with Sabrina Dhowre Elba.
- In 2024 he urged an immediate ban on machetes and so‑called zombie knives, met Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to help launch an anti‑knife‑crime coalition, and examined the issue in a BBC documentary.
- His foundation partnered with The Prince’s Trust in 2024 on Creative Futures, providing free courses that help young people into creative careers, reflecting his own early support from the charity.