Several prominent figures from the UK’s food and drink and small business sectors have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025, announced today, with awards highlighting their contributions to employment, sustainability, social impact and retail innovation.
Leading the honours are two CBEs awarded to executives who have transformed their businesses into forces for social good.
Rosie Brown, co-chief executive of frozen ready meals brand COOK, has been recognised for her work supporting former prisoners into employment. Since joining the business in 2000, Brown has helped build COOK into an award-winning food brand employing 1,700 people across 98 retail stores and over 1,000 retail partners.
Central to Brown's recognition is COOK's pioneering RAW Talent Programme, which she has championed since 2014. The scheme has recruited nearly 250 people who face barriers to employment, including those with criminal convictions, experience of homelessness, mental ill health, or refugee status. Brown also chairs an employment board at Wandsworth, helping prison leavers transition into work.
Roisin Currie was made a CBE in King’s Birthday Honours List 2025
Roisin Currie, chief executive of Greggs PLC, received her CBE for services to hospitality. Since taking the helm in May 2022, Currie has overseen exceptional growth, with the company exceeding £2 billion in turnover for the first time last year and opening its 2,600th shop. The Newcastle-based bakery chain now employs 33,000 people across the UK.
Currie, who previously spent 20 years at Asda, was instrumental in developing Greggs' 'Fresh Start' employability programme and serves as chair of the Employers Forum for Reducing Re-offending.
Among the Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), Craig Beaumont, executive director of the Federation of Small Businesses, has been honoured for his services to small businesses. Beaumont has been a key political advocate for the UK's 5.5 million small businesses and self-employed community, helping secure significant policy wins including reductions in business rates and the Small Business Act.
He also created the UK's first ever LGBT+ online business hub to boost LGBT+ entrepreneurship and inclusive workplaces.
Craig Beaumont was made an OBE in King’s Birthday Honours List 2025
Commenting on his honour, Beaumont told Asian Trader: "I'm still rather floored by this, but am so grateful to be appointed an OBE in the King's Birthday Honours List. Working for the small business movement in our country is a privilege, and every day I see entrepreneurs drive local growth and create jobs. Having supported them for a decade, this is the icing on the cake."
Hannah Gibson, CEO of Ocado Retail, also received an OBE for services to retail. With more than a decade at Ocado, including roles in technology, customer and product strategy, Gibson now leads one of the UK’s most high-profile online grocers. Her leadership is seen as instrumental in shaping the company’s customer offer and retail innovation.
Hannah Gibson was made an OBE in King’s Birthday Honours List 2025
In the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) category, Claire Hopkins, co-founder of Surplus to Supper Trust, was recognised for services to food waste prevention and food provision. Her community-led redistribution network delivers food to over 150 local programmes and has played a vital role in addressing hunger and food insecurity across Surrey and West London.
Claire Hopkins was made an MBE in King’s Birthday Honours List 2025
Andy Richardson, chair of the Food and Drink Wales Board, also received an MBE for services to the food and drink sector. With over 30 years' experience in the industry, Richardson is a partner in European Food and Farming Partnerships and has been a key figure in various industry strategy forums, including the Westminster Dairy Supply Chain Forum and Welsh Dairy Task Force.
Andy Richardson was made an MBE in King’s Birthday Honours List 2025
Meanwhile, Frank Purcell, managing director of M&M Supplies, was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to families, people with disabilities, and the community in Milton Keynes.
Purcell has transformed his wholesale food business into a major supporter of local charities, particularly Milton Keynes Food Bank, providing substantial donations and establishing industry connections that have led to major corporate partnerships.
