The honours acknowledge achievements spanning food redistribution, waste and resource education, sustainable manufacturing and charitable work.
Community Shop Executive Chairman Gary Stott has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the circular economy and building communities.
Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) past President Terence March and TDP Founder and Managing Director Robert Barlow have both been made Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
Gary Stott OBE
Gary Stott, Executive Chairman of Community Shop, received an OBE for Services to the Circular Economy and Building Communities.
The honour recognises his contribution to creating positive and lasting change in communities across the UK, including his role as one of the founders of the social enterprise Community Shop.
After graduating from Leeds University, Stott was ordained and spent a decade serving as a parish priest and chaplain to the homeless community in Leeds. He later moved into the homelessness sector, becoming chief executive of St George’s Crypt homelessness charity.
Alongside these roles, he has contributed to a number of government programmes aimed at improving outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.
In his current position at Community Shop, Stott is part of the government’s National Endeavour to End Avoidable Food Waste, working alongside organisations including Felix, Trussell, Feeding Britain and IGD to tackle food waste and food insecurity.
Commenting on the award, Stott said: “It’s an absolute privilege to work within a sector and with people so totally committed to delivering positive change for people, communities and the environment.
“Over the last 20 years I have worked with some brilliant people and together we have created long-lasting and sustainable solutions by empowering people to develop their own capabilities and deliver positive futures for themselves and their communities. I am incredibly humbled to receive this honour from His Majesty the King.”
Terence March MBE
Terence March has been awarded an MBE for services to education in waste and resource management, recognising a career spanning more than 50 years.
March began his working life in the steel industry, completing an apprenticeship before moving into management services, quality control and operations.
After relocating, he joined Bristol City Council’s waste services department, progressing to become operations manager, a position he held for 20 years.
His involvement with the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) dates back to the late 1980s.
He served as regional secretary for around 30 years and later took on a range of national roles, including trustee, committee chair and CIWM President from 2009 to 2010.
March currently serves as honorary treasurer of the CIWM South West Centre and continues to support its work through a focus on membership, education and training.
A passionate advocate for lifelong learning and mentoring, March continues to support candidates through chartership and Fellowship, including those based overseas.
Commenting on his achievement, March said: “This honour means a great deal to me. Throughout my career, my passion has always been educating, training, and helping people progress on their career path.
“There is no greater reward than seeing those I have supported go on to achieve incredible things, both here in the UK and globally. I am grateful to everyone at CIWM, the South West region, and the wider sector who has been part of this journey.”
Robert Barlow MBE
Robert Barlow, Founder and Managing Director of TDP, has been recognised with an MBE for Services to Sustainable Manufacturing and to Charity.
The award marks more than 35 years of commitment to British manufacturing, advancing circular economy principles and supporting communities both in the UK and overseas.
Barlow founded TDP and has championed sustainable manufacturing practices throughout the company’s development, helping demonstrate how commercial success can be aligned with environmental responsibility.
He has also devoted significant time to charitable causes, particularly through his longstanding involvement with Aquabox, the international disaster relief charity that provides safe drinking water and humanitarian aid to communities affected by disasters.
Reflecting on the honour, TDP said the award recognised not only Barlow’s personal contribution but also the wider team and community that had supported the company’s journey.
Barlow himself described the recognition as a reflection of the mentors, colleagues and communities who had helped shape his work and his commitment to making a positive difference.
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