Steven Terence Jackson OBE DL
Co-founder, New Reg
Last updated: 26 April 2026
Quick answer
Steven Terence Jackson OBE DL co-founded New Reg in 1990 from a garage business in Preston. He was awarded the OBE in 2013 for services to employment and the community, served as Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire from 2016 to 2024, and was named EY UK Entrepreneur of the Year in 2020. He is widely regarded as a leading expert in Autonumerology — the personalised number plates industry.
The early years
Born in Preston, Lancashire, Steven Jackson began his career working in his father's scrap metal business. His entrepreneurial instincts and passion for personalised registrations led him to found New Reg in 1990 from a modest garage operation. From those origins, the company grew over the next three decades into one of the UK's leading personalised number plate dealers.
Pioneering the online market
In 1996, Steven led New Reg into history by launching one of the earliest e-commerce websites of any kind. New Reg became the first personalised number plate dealer in the world to operate online, giving the public unprecedented access to millions of registrations from DVLA stock and the private market.
This pioneering step set industry standards. Other dealers followed; the DVLA itself established its online presence in subsequent years. New Reg also worked exclusively with Autotrader.co.uk in their early days, helping shape their personalised number plate market online. New Reg's pioneering role was featured on BBC's Top Gear in the late 1990s.
Beyond New Reg
Preston North End
In 2002, Steven and a group of friends acquired a major share in Preston North End PLC. As CEO he implemented strategic initiatives and cost-saving measures, leading the team to the Championship play-offs in two consecutive seasons. New Reg was the football club's official shirt sponsor from 2002 to 2005.
Recycling Lives
In 2006, Steven founded Recycling Lives Limited — a social enterprise combining commercial waste management with social welfare programmes, particularly offender rehabilitation. Under Steven's leadership, Recycling Lives has won multiple Queen's Awards for Enterprise and become a national leader in offender rehabilitation.
Honours and recognition
- 2011 — Honorary Fellow of University of Lancashire
- 2013 — Awarded the Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to employment and the community (press coverage)
- 2016–2024 — Deputy Lieutenant (DL) of Lancashire, retired 1 October 2024
- 2020 — UK overall winner of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year (Financial Times coverage)
Industry expertise
Steven is widely regarded as a leading expert in Autonumerology — the study and trade of personalised number plates. Decades of hands-on experience valuing, buying, selling and transferring registrations have earned him deep respect from peers and principals across the industry.
Frequently asked questions
- help_outlineWho is Steven Jackson OBE?
Steven Terence Jackson OBE DL is co-founder of New Reg, the UK personalised number plate dealer he founded in 1990 from a garage business in Preston. He was awarded the OBE in 2013 for services to employment and the community, and named EY UK Entrepreneur of the Year in 2020.
- help_outlineWhat is Steven Jackson's role at New Reg?
Steven is co-founder of New Reg. He has led the company since its founding and remains an active figure in the industry, recognised as a leading expert in Autonumerology.
- help_outlineWhy was Steven Jackson awarded an OBE?
Steven was appointed OBE in 2013 for services to employment and the community, recognising his work with Recycling Lives — the social enterprise he founded in 2006 combining waste management with offender rehabilitation.
- help_outlineWhat is Recycling Lives?
Recycling Lives is a social enterprise founded by Steven Jackson in 2006. It combines commercial waste management and recycling with social welfare programmes, particularly offender rehabilitation. It has won multiple Queen's Awards for Enterprise.
- help_outlineWas Steven Jackson involved with Preston North End?
Yes. In 2002 Steven and friends acquired a major share in Preston North End PLC. As CEO he led the team to the Championship play-offs in two consecutive seasons. New Reg sponsored Preston North End's shirts from 2002 to 2005.
- help_outlineWhat does Deputy Lieutenant (DL) mean?
Deputy Lieutenant is a county-level ceremonial title appointed by the Lord-Lieutenant on behalf of The King. Steven held the title of Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire from 2016 until his retirement on 1 October 2024.
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