Scottish Grocers' Federation (SGF) chief executive Pete Cheema has been appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

The Queen has received the recommendation from the Prime Minister and the award will be made as part of the 2018 Birthday Honours List. 

“This award has come as a real surprise and I am delighted to accept it on behalf of myself and my family. This a recognition of the importance of convenience retailing to the economy and to our communities," Cheema said. 

Cheema has served as president of the SGF and has been a member of its National Executive Committee since 1988, being appointed as chief executive in 2015.

He also stood against deputy first minister John Swinney in the 2011 Scottish Parliamentary election and currently sits on the board of the Scottish Retail Consortium and the Scotland Towns Partnership.