More than 80 people from across the province were honoured in King Charles III’s first New Year’s Honours’ List, including notable names from the foodservice, manufacturing and agri-food industries.

Spar retailer, Peter McBride has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). The Omagh businessman received the award for services to the economy and to the community in County Tyrone.

A well-respected and renowned retailer, Peter is the current president of Retail NI, while the McBride Group runs 16 Spar stores throughout Northern Ireland and has won numerous awards.

Managing Director of Spar International, Tobias Wasmuht said: “Peter is a true Spar ambassador internationally, a great retailer, a leader for the independent retail sector, and a local champion for the communities he supports.

“On behalf of the fellow board members of the International Spar Guild of retailers on which Peter has served since 2019, I extend our appreciation and heartfelt congratulations to Peter and his family.”

‘HUMBLED’ TO RECEIVE HONOUR

Executive Director of the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA), Michael Bell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the food and drink industry and to the economy in Northern Ireland.

Since its foundation in 1996, he has been instrumental in the development of the NIFDA and also led the development of the Northern Ireland Food Chain Certification Ltd and the redevelopment of Taste of Ulster.

Mr Bell, from Holywood, said he was “humbled” to receive the honour.

“Food and drink is my lifelong passion, from watching my late father in the family bakery to spending decades working in and on behalf of the industry,” he said.

“While I’m personally delighted, this is also recognition for Northern Ireland food and drink as a whole, and the 113,000 people working in jobs related to the sector. Food and drink is one of Northern Ireland’s most dynamic and successful industries, and our NIFDA members are among the most innovative businesses in NI.

“It is a privilege to champion this great industry and this honour is the icing on the cake,” he added.

Ursula Lavery, Technical and R&D Director at Moy Park, was appointed an MBE for services to the agri-food industry and to the economy in Northern Ireland.

‘This award is testament to the talented people I work with and everything we are doing’

Ursula Lavery MBE

The County Armagh woman joined Moy Park as a Marketing Executive in 1987 and having moved into the Technical and Quality Management side of the business the following year, has since then steadily built the company’s reputation as a leading food company with absolute commitment to animal health, food safety and quality.

Recognised as a leading authority on food safety and poultry research, Ursula sits on several advisory bodies and has received a series of industry awards. She said she was “very humbled” to receive the honour.

“I am absolutely delighted and very humbled to receive this honour. I am proud to be part of the Northern Ireland agri-food industry, and this award is testament to the talented people I work with and everything we are doing to drive food integrity, animal welfare and provide a sustainable supply chain for our farmers and customers.”

President of Moy Park, Chris Kirke also extended his congratulations to Ursula.

“Ursula is committed to achieving excellence across the supply chain, from farm to fork.

“She is a dedicated researcher, director and leader in our industry and on behalf of Moy Park we offer her our congratulations,” he added.

Other award recipients included former Ulster Farmers’ Union president, Victor Chestnutt, who was appointed an OBE for services to agriculture. The Bushmills man described himself as “an ordinary farmer” and said he accepted the royal honour “on behalf of all farmers in Northern Ireland”.

The post New Year’s Honours for Northern Ireland retailers and industry leaders first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

The trade body has also urged immediate all-party talks post-election to agree a Programme for Government and form an Executive.

New Ambition has four key sections, Improving Government, Tackling the Cost of Business Crisis, Modern Infrastructure and Better Planning and Addressing the Climate Crisis.

Retail NI President Peter McBride said: “Launching our New Ambition report in Omagh signals Retail NI’s commitment to campaign for a better deal for our rural towns and villages from Government. A top priority in our report is establishing a Rural Town and Village Infrastructure investment fund to ensure our small and mid-sized town are not left behind.

“Our members want to see a new Executive hit the ground running with a radical Programme for Government and a plan to address the Cost of Living Crisis.”

Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: “These Elections are not about the Protocol. They are about who is best placed to deliver real change in policy and address the huge challenges that face our economy.

“Following the Election, the parties should have immediate discussions on agreeing a Programme for Government and forming an Executive. Not having an Executive in place during a Cost-of-Living Crisis is and would be utterly irresponsible.

“Retail NI members are facing a perfect storm of challenges from energy hikes, labour shortages, National Insurance increases and Covid-19 recovery. We are not just dealing with a cost-of-living crisis, we are also facing a cost of business crisis too.

“Our New Ambition report outlines the need for urgent action from the next Economy Minister to establish and Chair a Cost of Doing Business Taskforce to ensure a comprehensive package of measures is produced by late June.

“We also want to see the current business rates holiday extended until January 2023 to alleviate some of the pressure on business.

“With the review of Invest NI ongoing, Retail NI wants to see the Executive create a new Small Business Champion to head a new agency which will focus on micro and small business development and be a ‘one stop shop’ for those seeking to start up on their own.

“We have also put forward plans for a radical reform of Business Rates rates relief to enable businesses to bring forward new investment, create jobs and Green technology.

“Retail NI wants to see the NI High Street Taskforce recommendations implemented in full and with new Executive established immediately implement the five-year High Reconstruction plan.”

Caption: Retail NI President Peter McBride launching the New Ambition Report in Omagh with local Chamber President Colm Broderick and Retail NI CEO Glyn Roberts.

The post Retail NI launch New Ambition plan for next Assembly first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.