John Vincent and Henry Dimbleby, founders of Leon, the healthy fast food chain, and Robert Humphreys, who last year stepped down from his role as honorary secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group after 21 years, have been made MBEs in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Dimbleby and Vincent have been made MBEs for their work in improving school lunches. The pair led a government commissioned independent review of school food, published two years ago. Their report formed the basis of revised rules on school dinners in England, brought in earlier this year.
Vincent said: “Writing and helping to implement the School Food Plan was a massive privilege and a character-building task. This recognition is a tribute to all of the people who work hard every day to provide health, pleasure and improved attainment to our children. Let’s all keep going.”
“I think it’s reflective of the fact that the sector, which used to work quite disparately, doing lots of good things, has really come together and there’s an amazing, positive, constructive atmosphere of improvement across the country,” said Dimbleby. “I think the MBE is recognition of that, rather than anything John and I have done.”
Helen Dhaliwal, co-founder of buffet chain, Red Hot World Buffet, was also made a MBE, for services to the hospitality industry.
Humphreys receives a MBE for services to alcohol policy.
He is also chairman of PASS, the Proof of Age Scheme, and Best Bar None. He is also a non-executive director of the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA), a trustee of the National Brewing Museum in Burton and a long serving member of the Committee of the British Guild of Beer Writers.
Andrew Griffiths, Member of Parliament for Burton and Uttoxeter and chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, said: “No one has done more to raise awareness of British beer and pubs in Westminster and the European Parliament. Robert set up the Beer Group in 1993 and was its honorary secretary for an incredible 21 years. His passion for beer and pubs is only matched by his encyclopaedic knowledge of the sector, enormous charm and the sheer hard work that he has devoted to promoting our national drink. This recognition is enormously well deserved.”
Mike Benner, managing director of SIBA, said: “Robert has worked tirelessly for the sector for many years and continues to make an enormous contribution. His determination, knowledge and enthusiasm have been of great benefit to British beer and pubs. I am delighted to be working with him as a non-executive director of SIBA in delivering our vision for Britain’s independent brewers.”
Arthur and Janet Watson, co-owners of the Riverside Restaurant in Bridport, Dorset, were recipients of the British Empire Medal for their services to hospitality.
