Co-op CEO Steve Murrells and former Asda boss Roger Burnley have been made CBEs in the New Year’s Honours List for their efforts in keeping the supply chain moving against the backdrop of the pandemic.
Murrells said the award recognised the social impact that a “strong and vibrant” Co-op could make and thanked the “tireless support” of the business’s 60,000 staff.
“Over the past two years, our Co-op has played its full part in helping to care for and feed the nation and I’m proud and humbled by the contribution our colleagues have made in supporting our nation through this tumultuous period,” he said.
Burnley led Asda throughout the pandemic until August last year, when he stepped down following its takeover by TDR Capital and Mohsin and Zuber Issa. He praised the supermarket’s staff for their “selfless” efforts in keeping the nation fed as he received the award.
Others to receive recognition in the awards include Morrisons supply chain manager Angela Johnson. She was awarded an MBE for her work in ensuring food remained on shelves at the Morrisons Gibraltar store post-Brexit.
Both Asda and Morrisons also had colleagues recognised as community champions in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours – four receiving British Empire Medals for their efforts in supporting local communities during the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Trade and Agriculture Commission chair Tim Smith, who has dedicated over 40 years to the food industry, was awarded a CBE for services to agriculture, food, and drink trade policy. “I have never had anything like this before,” he said. “It is truly an honour.”
He is chairman of Cranswick, having been appointed in July, and a non-executive director of Pret a Manger where, in 2018, he chaired an independent food advisory panel that resulted in a new ‘five-point allergy plan’ for the business.
British Ports Association CEO Richard Ballantyne was awarded an OBE for his services to the maritime industry. Over the past two years, he has worked with government to represent the industry during the UK’s departure from the EU.
OBEs were awarded to joint MD for toiletries wholesaler Pricecheck, Deborah Harrison, for her efforts in international trade, and logistics UK CEO David Wells for services to transport and logistics during Covid-19.
The awards also recognised the work of Claire Saunders, store manager at Co-op’s Gidea Park, Romford, who received a British Empire Medal for services to food retail worker safety during the pandemic. Saunders supported Co-op’s ’Safer Colleagues Safer Communities’ campaign and fought for greater protection in law for frontline shopworkers.
“I’m really pleased and honoured to receive this award,” she said. “It shows that our campaign is getting the recognition it deserves, and most importantly it continues to raise awareness of the appalling abuse key workers across retail often have to face on a daily basis.”
Here’s the full list of awards for food and drink industry workers:
CBE
Co-op CEO Steve Murrells
Former Asda CEO Roger Burnley
Chair of trade and agriculture commission Tim Smith
Produced in Kent chair Susie Warran Smith
Defra director Jonathan Broomfield
Defra deputy director for plant and bee health and chief plant health officer Nicola Horsley
Former Harper Adams University vice-chancellor David Llewellyn
OBE
British Ports Association CEO Richard Ballantyne
Pricecheck joint MD Deborah Harrison
Logistics UK CEO David Wells
Defra deputy director James Cruddas
Defra co-head for international forests and land use Joanna Macrae
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners head for early careers and apprenticeships Sharon Blyfield
MBE
Morrisons supply chain manager Angela Johnson
Fane Valley Co-operative Society CEO Trevor Lockhart
Greene King MD for Destination Food Brands Division Andrew Wilson
BEM
Co-op Gidea Park store manager Claire Saunders
Asda Pwllheli community champion Jo Scott
Morrisons Peckham community champion Rose Morgan
Morrisons Littlehampton community champion Alison Whitburn
Morrisons Whitefield community champion Rochelle Gardner
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