The Food Foundation executive director and Amazon’s UK boss are among the food and drink figures recognised on the King’s Birthday Honours List.
Anna Taylor, who joined the Food Foundation as its first executive director in 2015, has been awarded one of the highest honours in the UK system, Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE), for services to reforming the food system.
Amazon vice president and country manager for the UK & Ireland John Boumphrey was awarded Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to technology, consumer and the digital commerce industry.
Speaking of the recognition on LinkedIn, he said: “Thank you to the thousands of brilliant Amazonians who deliver for customers and community partners across the UK, every single day. This honour really belongs to you.”
Unilever chief brand officer and chief diversity and inclusion officer Aline Santos Farhat was also awarded an OBE for services to the retail industry, while Mackie’s of Scotland chair Maitland Mackie was given an OBE for services to farming, business innovation and sustainability.
He described the honour as a “tremendous privilege”. “What the business and farm have achieved has only been possible because of the dedication of our customers, colleagues and family, who have supported us throughout the journey,” Mackie added.
Community Shop executive chairman Gary Stott, who co-founded the social supermarket, was also awarded an OBE for services to the circular economy and building communities.
He said: “It’s an absolute privilege to work within a sector and with people so totally committed to delivering positive change for people, communities and the environment.
“Over the last 20 years I have worked with some brilliant people and together we have created long-lasting and sustainable solutions by empowering people to develop their own capabilities and deliver positive futures for themselves and their communities. I am incredibly humbled to receive this honour from His Majesty the King.”
Meanwhile, brothers Geoffrey Agnew and Martin Agnew, who are joint executive group chairs of Henderson Group, the primary wholesaler and owner of the Spar franchise in Northern Ireland, have both been awarded MBEs for services to business and to the community in Northern Ireland.
They said: “We are honoured to accept these awards on behalf of all our colleagues in the Henderson Group and our fantastic retailers, trade customers, and suppliers. Without their contribution, the business would not have grown in the way it has over the last 40 years.”
2026 Birthday Honours list food and drink highlights:
DBE
- Anna Taylor, executive director of the Food Foundation, for services to reforming the food system
OBE
- John Boumphrey, vice president and country manager for UK & Ireland at Amazon, for services to technology, consumer and the digital commerce industry
- Maitland Mackie, chair at Mackie’s of Scotland, for services to farming, business innovation and sustainability
- Aline Santos Farhat, chief brand officer and chief diversity and inclusion officer at Unilver, for services to the retail industry
- Gary Stott, executive chairman of Community Shop, for services to the circular economy and building communities
- John Grant, chair at Scottish distillery J&G Grant, for services to the scotch whisky industry and to charity
MBE
- Geoffrey Agnew, joint executive group chair at Henderson Group, for services to business and to the community in Northern Ireland
- Martin Agnew, joint executive group chair at Henderson Group, for services to business and to the community in Northern Ireland
- Andrew Street, chair of trustees at FareShare south west, for services to disadvantaged people in Bristol
- Wesley Aston, former CEO of Ulster Farmers’ Union, for services to agriculture
- Margaret Boanas, chair of the International Meat Trade Association, for services to the meat sector, trade and to promoting opportunities for women
No comments yet