Martin, who started the pub group in 1979, received a knighthood for his services to hospitality and culture.
He said: “Above all, JDW’s success has been due to a team effort over 44 years. Very many thanks indeed to the customers, colleagues, suppliers, designers, contractors and others, present and departed, who have contributed to this honour.”
Chef Adam Handling, who runs a number of venues including Top 50 Gastropub the Loch and the Tyne in Old Windsor, which was named the Best Food Pub at the 2023 Great British Pub Awards, was awarded an MBE for services to hospitality and international trade.
Handling described the honour as his “proudest achievement yet” and highlighted how putting sustainability at the fore has always been something he has focused on.
Education and hospitality
He said: “I’ve always been quite a self-motivating person and I’ve set myself goals. One of those goals has always been to promote sustainable British food – it’s to work closely with farmers and suppliers to source incredible quality ingredients, it’s to use ingredients in their entirety and to never waste a thing while changing the perception of sustainability and making it luxury.
“I want to help change the way Britain thinks about food and how British food is seen around the world. It’s incredible to be appointed an MBE for two things that mean the most to me – education and hospitality.”
Instilling education, inspiration and motivation into his team is Handling’s ethos for his business.
“Inspiring not only my team but also our guests, the future of the industry and the wider public in terms of what British food is all about, in a sustainable and luxury manner is what I set out to do and what I intend to continue to focus on,” he added.
“I am so overwhelmingly happy – this is, to date, the most heart-warming, humbling recognition I’ve ever received in my almost 20 years of cooking.
“Thanks to everyone who has been in my life, who have both positively and negatively contributed – you have all been part of making me who I am today and I really do hope I can make the UK proud.”
Individuals recognised
Also honoured was Martyn Hiller, founder of the Micropub Association, who received an MBE for his services to business and hospitality.
Stuart Broad, former England cricketer and co-founder of the Cat & Wickets Pub Company was named CBE for his services to cricket.
Furthermore, founder and managing director of Brighton Gin Kathy Caton was awarded an MBE for services to trade and the community in Brighton.
She said: “I am so incredibly surprised and humbled to have been nominated for the honour, particularly regarding the kind things people have had to say about the role of Brighton Gin in the local community and about supporting and encouraging diversity in the workplace and all the amazing things that can bring.”
