Food industry leaders, retail workers received honours in New Year’s list

The boss of the Co-op and a former chief of Asda have received honours for their actions to keep shelves stocked across the country amid the pandemic.

Steve Murrells- chief executive of the Co-op Group and Roger Burnley, who stepped down as Asda chief executive earlier this year, are recognised with Commander of the order of British Empire (CBE) in New Year’s Honours list announced on Friday night (31).

The pair have been recognised for services to the food supply chain, the government said.

It comes after a year when supermarkets, hospitality firms and suppliers worked to avoid shortages as staff numbers, pandemic restrictions and global disruption caused difficulties.

Murrells has led the Co-op Group since 2017, having previously been the chief executive of its retail arm for five years.

“It is a great honour to receive this award, which reflects and acknowledges the journey our Co-op has been on in recent years,” he said.

“This award recognises the broader social impact a strong and vibrant Co-op can make within society, and the tireless support of 60,000 incredible Co-op colleagues in making this happen.”

Burnley had been chief executive of Asda since January 2018, having joined the company in 2016 as deputy chief executive, but left earlier this year following its £6.8 billion takeover by the Issa brothers and TDR Capital.

The New Year’s Honours list this year also acknowledged the role of frontline retail workers for their exemplary work during the past year. Jo Scott, a shop floor worker and Community Champion at Asda’s Pwllheli, north-west Wales, site received a BEM. 

Nadia Nasreen Ahmed, Rose Ann Deakin and Rochelle Sharon Gardner of Morrisons as well as Claire Elizabeth Saunders of Co-op group are also honoured with British Empire Medal (BEM). 

Saunders is also a Usdaw union workplace representative and activist from Romford in Essex.

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary said, “We are very proud that one of our reps and prominent activists has received this prestigious award. We congratulate Claire on her achievement and thank her for the service she has given to Usdaw and our members.

“Claire has often been a voice from the frontline in the media as part of Usdaw’s ‘Freedom from Fear’ campaign, talking about what life is like working in a convenience store. Regrettably during the pandemic, abuse of retail staff became much worse and shamefully Claire has been spat at, threatened, pushed and far too often abused.

Saunders BEM said, “I couldn’t believe it when I heard that I’m in the New Year’s Honours, it was such a shock. I’m really pleased and honoured to receive this award, it shows that our campaign is getting the recognition it deserves and most importantly it raises awareness of the appalling abuse key workers across retail have to face often on a daily basis.

Others from the food and drink industry mentioned in New Year’s honour list are Morrisons’ supply chain manager Angela Johnson and Chief Executive of Fane Valley- Co-Operative Society Ltd Trevor William Lockhart, who are awarded MBE along with Chair of Trade and Agriculture Commission Timothy John Smith and Susie Warran-Smith- both of whom are coveted with CBE.