High-profile industry figures past and present rubbed shoulders with Olympians in this week’s New Year’s Honours List.

Peter Marks, the outgoing chief executive officer of The Co-operative Group, was awarded a CBE for services to the retail trade.

Marks, who retires in May this year, has worked in the co-operative movement for 45 years and has headed The Co-op Group for six years. He will be replaced by Kingfisher boss Euan Sutherland, who was announced as his successor just before Christmas.

“This is a tremendous honour, not just for me personally, but for all my colleagues and directors of the group who have shared my vision and who have worked so hard for the success we have enjoyed in recent years,” Marks said. “This business has been transformed, and, once the economic downturn is behind us, it is set to reap the rewards of the investment we have made.”

Former Tesco director David Potts also received a CBE, for services to employment, skills and apprenticeships in the retail sector. He was most recently chief executive officer of Tesco Asia, having joined the retailer as a shelf stacker at the age of 16. He left last year after 40 years’ service.

Denys Shortt, founder of wholesaler DCS Europe, was awarded an OBE for services to the economy in the West Midlands.

Shortt, who is chair of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, founded DCS Europe in 1994. He has also created two technology companies - Enable Software and Deal Track - as well as the Enliven health & beauty brand, which is exported to 70 countries.

“I am absolutely delighted and proud to receive this honour,” Shortt said. “Britain is a great place to build a business and I am delighted that entrepreneurship is recognised within the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.”

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