Leon co-founders John Vincent and Henry Dimbleby have both been appointed an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for their help creating the School Food Plan.
Since the publication of the School Food Plan in July 2013, thousands of schools across the country have transformed their school food culture. With compulsory cooking on the curriculum, new school food standards and free school meals for all 5,6 and 7 year olds, a new age for school food should be arriving.
Both have worked tirelessly to showcase the great schools and their leaders who do amazing things every day to ensure that children both eat great, tasty nutritious food and, vitally, learn how to love their food.
“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 the people who work hard every day to provide health, pleasure and improved attainment to our children. Let’s all keep going.” – John Vincent.
Robert Humphreys awarded MBE
Robert Humphreys (above), formerly the Honorary Secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to alcohol policy. Robert 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.”
Awards have also been made to:
Helen Dhalimal, Co-Founder and Director, Red Hot World Buffet
Awarded the MBE for services to the Hospitality Industry.
Red Hot World Buffet was founded in 2004 by husband and wife, Parmjit and Helen Dhaliwal. It has seven large restaurants across the UK, employing 600 people with a turnover over £20m and serves English, Indian, Chinese, Italian, Tex-Mex and Japanese dishes, amongst others. Risk Capital Partners supported a buy-out of the business in 2013.
Melanie Leech, lately Director General, Food and Drink Federation
CBE for services to the Food and Drink Industry