Members from the food industry awards in this year’s list included former Tesco chief executive David Lewis (Knighthood) and Ocado chief executive Melanie Smith (CBE).
Chris Tyas, chairman of global standards provider GS1 UK was also awarded an OBE for his services to the food supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs appointed Tyas to a strategic role in March this year, to ensure the nation’s food supply chain integrity adapted in response to the global pandemic.
Keeping the nation fed
Tyas said he was humbled with the recognition he had received for his contribution towards a massive team effort from everybody who contributes to keeping the nation fed.
Anne Godfrey, chief executive of GS1 UK, added: “Chris’ hard work and dedication to ensuring the UK has addressed the extraordinary challenges of Covid19 has been duly recognised with this honour. All of us at GS1 UK are grateful to Chris for the inspirational leadership he brings to the business and our membership.”
Brakes’ supply chain and operations director Alex Mayfield and lead solution designer Ricky Sercombe also received MBEs for their roles in supplying food boxes – in partnership with Bidfood – to vulnerable people during the first nationwide lockdown last year.
Supporting the vulnerable
Commenting on their inclusion on this year’s list, Brakes chief executive Hugo Mahoney said: “The MBEs given to Alex and Ricky reflect the resilience, innovation and resourcefulness of our business in developing and launching a service to support the clinically vulnerable at a time when many of those most in need were unable to access food and essential supplies.
“The well-deserved honours are a fantastic recognition of the boundless energy and resourcefulness they displayed in leading their teams at a very challenging time. I’m very proud of how they drew the business together to deliver such a valuable service so quickly, at a time when many supermarkets were displaying empty shelves and were not able to provide delivery slots.”
A full list of people who received awards in the New Year’s Honours list 2021 can be found here.
Meanwhile, we are just over one month away from announcing the winners of the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards. Find out who will be taking home the coveted prize of Food Manufacture Company of the Year in an online ceremony to be held from 5pm to 6pm on Thursday 11 February.