A number of key figures from the food and drink industry have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Joe Beeston, chief executive of Highland Spring, is awarded an OBE for his services to the soft drinks industry in Scotland.
Beeston said that he was delighted to receive the award and that it was also a tribute to the 300 staff at Highland Spring.
Eddie Thompson, chair of the Scottish Retail Consortium,
receives an OBE for services to the grocery industry. Fiona Moriarty, director of the consortium, praised Thompson for being a “highly effective ambassador for the industry”.
Also receiving an OBE is David Dobbin, chief executive of United Dairy Farmers and chair of the Confederation of British Industry Northern Ireland, who is recognised for his services to the agri-food and packaging industries.
Maurice Taylor, chair of the Scottish Seafood Processors Federation, receives an OBE for services to the fish processing industry and to charity.
Shaun Patrick Leavey, former regional director of the National Farmers’ Union in the south east, is also recognised with an OBE for his services to agriculture and horticulture.
Martin Rawlings, director of retail at the British Beer and Pub Association, receives an MBE for services to the licensing trade.