Several leading lights in the food industry have been recognised in the New Year Honours list. Most notably, British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson was awarded an OBE. In addition:

    • Ian Pigott, founder of Open Farm Sunday and chairman of Farming & Countryside Education (FACE), received an OBE.
    • Zameer Choudrey, chief executive of Bestway, has been made a CBE for services to the UK wholesale industry and charity in the UK and abroad.
    • An OBE was handed to former Defra international plant health adviser Stephen Ashby.
    • Children’s Food Trust head of nutrition Patricia Mucavele was also awarded an OBE.
    • Conrad Bird, director of the GREAT Britain Campaign, received a CBE for services to UK Government communications and trade.
    • Jane Howorth, chief executive officer of the British Hen Welfare Trust got an MBE for services to battery hen welfare.
    • Rosalie James was given an MBE for services to agriculture in Wales. 
    • Carmel McConnell, founder of the Magic Breakfast charity, got an MBE for services to school food.
  • Dr Anthony Williams, chairman of the subgroup on maternal and child nutrition for the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition, was awarded an MBE for services to nutrition in infants and children.