Ocado Retail Limited CEO awarded CBE in New Year Honours List

We’re very pleased, and incredibly proud, to announce that our CEO, Mel Smith, has been awarded a CBE, for Services to Retail and the Food Supply Chain during the Covid 19 response, in the New Year Honours list. 

Mel’s first year at the helm was as demanding as they get.

Alongside navigating the challenges we all faced during the pandemic, Mel ensured that as many customers as possible (particularly those most in need) were able to use our services safely during the height of lockdown and beyond.  This was all while touring the country to make sure our frontline colleagues were safe and well, and working closely with the excellent teams at Ocado Group who were working tirelessly to keep our operations up and running. This year also saw Mel manage the biggest change to our range in two decades, with the launch of M&S at Ocado. And she made certain that sustainability, and diversity and inclusion, remained a top priority, in a year when they could have fallen by the wayside.

A word from Mel: “I have been truly touched by the many hundreds of emails I have received from customers, thanking our drivers and colleagues for the extra mile they went this year. I want to thank every Ocado shopper for their patience, support and kind words during this extraordinary time. I share this award with every mighty Ocado Retailee and all of our fantastic colleagues at Ocado Group and Ocado Logistics who have worked tirelessly this year to #feedthenation. I’m incredibly grateful for this honour and proud to be part of the industry that delivered when needed.”

Here’s to a hopeful and happy 2021, together.