Restaurant entrepreneurs Chris Corbin and Jeremy King, and Pub is the Hub founder John Longden, have been recognised in the New Year’s Honours list.

Corbin and King, who own Rex Restaurants, have both became OBEs for “services to the hospitality industry” and for their voluntary work – Corbin through his work with leukaemia research group Leuka, and King for “voluntary service to the arts”.

Rex Restaurants, whose portfolio includes the flagship Wolseley café/restaurant in London’s Piccadilly, received a £21m investment from Graphite Capital last year as it looks to expand.

In November, M&C reported that Rex’s next venture would be called Fischer’s and open in the spring in Marylebone. The group hopes to operate a new five-star boutique hotel, the Beaumont in Mayfair, from 2014.

Corbin and King had been working together since the 1970s and in 1981 they acquired Le Caprice in St James’s. Other openings have included the popular Ivy restaurant in London’s West End.

John Longden, founder of Pub is the Hub, the Prince Charles-backed organisation that helps pubs diversify to provide services for their local communities, also became an OBE for “voluntary services to rural communities in the UK”.

Longden said: “I was really delighted to receive news of the honour. Most exciting of all is that it is great recognition for Pub is The Hub and all the fantastic licensees, voluntary advisors, pub operators, local authorities, sponsors and supporters that have been involved for the last twelve years. I hope everyone can take great pleasure and excitement in sharing this news.”

Pub is the Hub was founded in 2001 and now operates across seven regions in England and Wales, offering advice to anyone who wants to add services such as post offices and shops to pubs. To date 365 schemes have been completed with help from the organisation.

One year ago Pub is the Hub launched a Community Services Fund to help pubs diversify, with a plan to raise £1m over two years. The Government initially donated £150,000, with Diageo, the Campaign and Real Ale and Greene King also donating.

In March Pub is the Hub was named Best Industry Initiative at the Publican Awards.

Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said she was “absolutely delighted” at the news of Longden’s award.

“John has been an inspirational leader and founder for Pub Is the Hub. No one has done more to champion the vital role pubs play in local communities, or worked harder to give the practical help needed to help so many pubs to diversify and thrive. This honour is so well deserved.”

Elsewhere, Lisa and Helen Tse of Manchester-based restaurant Sweet Mandarin, became MBEs. The restaurant was awarded the one AA Rosette for 2013.

The sisters were successful in securing money on the Dragons’ Den TV show to introduce a range of branded sauces, which are sold at Sainsbury’s, Selfridges and elsewhere.

Peter Luff MP, who headed the Business, Innovation & Skills Committee (and previously the Business & Enterprise Select Committee) that produced highly critical reports into pub companies at the end of the last decade, received a knighthood.

Nicholas Munting, the sous chef at the House of Commons, became an MBE for “services to Parliament and to Young People in Croydon”.