Meat Management's publisher and chief executive of Yandell Media Group, Graham Yandell, has been awarded an MBE in the first King's Birthday Honours List.
Graham was granted the honour in recognition of his services to the media and to the food industry.
Commenting on the news he said: "I am absolutely delighted to have been recognised in the Kings Birthday Honours list this year. Having started my media career on The Bedfordshire Times at the age of 17, almost straight from school, I know how lucky I have been to do a job that I love and I feel extremely fortunate to have worked with so many great people over the years who taught me so much.
“My time at Westminster Press and other local newspapers outside the group, and then the decision to move on to International Thomson Business Publishing, offered me fantastic experiences, training and opportunities, and I am grateful to the people who helped me so generously and who encouraged me by their example.
“Launching the Yandell Media business way back in 1986 was the main catalyst in my life, both in business and on a personal level. My family, including my late parents, my children and my wife Sharon are amazing, and the team at Yandell are consistently second to none. I have gained such great friends and colleagues over the years and to now be recognised by my country with an MBE is both thrilling and humbling. I could not have achieved so many wonderful things without the help and encouragement of all these marvellous people, and I dedicate this honour to them.”
Former Meat Management editor, Pam Brook, said: "On behalf of everyone at Yandell Media Group, plus all those who contribute to the company's magazines and digital platforms, together with the wider meat and food industry we are so pleased and extremely proud that Graham has been honoured in this way. He has done so much to support the sector over many decades both publicly and behind the scenes, including raising an enormous amount for charity. It's richly deserved and fabulous to see it recognised in this way."
Other Birthday Honours
Alongside Graham in the King's list was the former chief executive of The National Pig Association (NPA) Dr Zoe Leach (better known to many in the pig industry by her maiden name of Davies). Zoe was awarded an OBE.
Zoe said: “This is a massive honour and I’m still slightly in shock! For me, this really reflects on the fantastic work of the NPA over all my years there and well before that.
“Although this OBE is being awarded to me, I couldn’t have achieved anything without the amazing team at the NPA, which continues to do great work for members, along with all the producer and allied representatives, and especially the chairmen who served alongside me.
“The pig industry is unique – it’s full of wonderful people who have faced and come through some tough challenges over the years. I have just tried to do my best to support them.”
NPA chairman Rob Mutimer said: “I want to add my personal congratulations to Zoe. She really has battled so hard for the pig sector, never more so than during the recent crisis, when she showed tremendous leadership.
“As a producer, I can safely say the industry is in a much better position to continue producing great British pork than it would have been without Zoe. This honour is just reward for that.”
Stephen Hallam, past managing director of Dickinson and Morris, the Leicestershire pork pie maker received an MBE for his services to the baking industry.
Director, EU and International Trade at Defra, Ceri Ann Morgan, has been awarded a CBE for services to Capability and Inclusion in International Trade.
William Montgomery, board member of the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute and Belfast Metropolitan College, has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), for services to the Northern Ireland Economy.
Lately chairman and consultant of the Village Bakery, Alan Edward Jones has been awarded an MBE for services to the Food Industry and to the Economy in Wales. Other MBE title holders include John Michael Marren, founder of Company Shop Group; Lloyd Justin Thomas, Apprenticeships and Funded Skills at The Co-operative Group; and Dr Shivani Anika Walia, founder of Anika Food Charity.
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
