One of the licensed trade's best-known figures, Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations chief executive Tony Payne, has been awarded a CBE in the Queen's New Year honours list.
Payne's recognition comes after a 30-year career in the trade that was spent working for a variety of licensee bodies.
He began as an officer for pub managers' union NALHM back in 1975 before joining the National Union of Licensed Victuallers in 1979 which sparked a long career looking after the interests of pub tenants throughout the UK.
When its successor body the National Licensed Victuallers Association folded in 1992 he was instrumental in setting up a new Federation of Licensed Victuallers Association which is now the industry's biggest leased and tenanted licensees group.
Payne said: "I am deeply honoured and immensely proud about all this, it has come as a tremendous surprise."
Jennings Brewery managing director and North West Beer & Pub Association chairman Mike Clayton, who has known Payne throughout his career, said: "I am really delighted, this could not have gone to a more deserving figure in our industry."
Payne lives in Bramley, near Leeds, with his wife, Barbara.