MBE received by local woman

A local woman has been presented with an MBE by the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

Bethan Jones, from Four Crosses, said it was a wonderful experience to be in the presence of so many courageous and outstanding people at the award ceremony. She received an MBE for services to the food and drink industry in Wales.

"The MBE is not only a wonderful honour for me but also fantastic recognition for the food and drink sector in Wales,” she said. “I really appreciate the support of my colleagues at Menter a Busnes, the Welsh Assembly Government and producers with whom I’ve been privileged to work. Without their support, this would not have been possible."

Project manager of Total Food Marketing project with Menter a Busnes, Bethan manages the Welsh Assembly Government’s mentoring programme for the food and drink sector in Wales, providing marketing advice and mentoring expertise to producers.

Throughout her career, her passion has been to help small businesses to grow. Starting in retail management, she went on to become chief executive of the Export Association, which supported hundreds of companies across Wales and the UK to develop export markets.

Bethan attended Welshpool and Llanfyllin High Schools before completing her education at the University of Nottingham.

Caption: Bethan Jones with her MBE at Buckingham Palace.