Several leading figures from the food industry have been included in the New Year's Honours List.

Taking his place alongside various Olympians and Paralympians is Peter Fowler, former president of the Covent Garden Market Tenants Association and owner of wholesale business C&C Fruit, who was awarded a MBE for his services to the catering sector.

Fowler, dubbed the 'godfather of fruit' and involved with the market for over 50 years, said he was 'humbled' by the news.

He said: 'I'm very humbled and proud to receive this honour, and can't wait for my big day at Buckingham Palace.

'There are several people at the market and involved in British wholesale who are equally as deserving, and I hope there will be more honours for the fresh produce industry to follow in the coming years.'

Meanwhile, Peter Marks, the outgoing chief executive of The Co-operative Group and David Potts, former director of Tesco and, more recently, chief executive of Tesco's business in Asia, were both awarded a CBE for their services to the retail sector.

'This is a tremendous honour, this business has been transformed, and, once the economic downturn is behind us, it is set to reap the rewards of the investment we have made,' said Marks.

Furthermore, Polly Gibb, director of Women In Rural Enterprise, has been given an OBE for her services to rural enterprise.

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