The founder of the Wetherspoon pub chain Tim Martin has been knighted in the New Year Honours list.
The Brexit campaigner has been recognised for his services to hospitality and culture.
He was one of the most high-profile business people to argue in favour of leaving the EU during the 2016 referendum campaign.
Meanwhile, there was also a knighthood for Conservative MP and former cabinet minister Sajid Javid.
Sir Tim said the news of his knighthood came “out of the blue” and “had never been expected”.
“I always think that, in the pub world, it is a team effort – even if you’ve just got one pub there are many people involved,” he told the PA news agency.
“I think it’s the Wetherspoon colleagues and customers who are getting the award really, that’s the way I look at it. I’m just the lucky recipient.”
He added: “I’d like to think [the knighthood] is not for my rarely disclosed political views – I hope it is for what it says on the tin.”
Sir Tim, who was born in Norwich, founded the pub chain in 1979 and has been the company’s chairman since 1983.
The businessman had previously studied law and qualified as a barrister.
His first venue was in Muswell Hill, north London, and was originally called Martin’s Free House, before being renamed JD Wetherspoon the following year.
The chain, which became known for its affordable prices, floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1992.
In its early years the company’s pubs were all in the capital but from the 1990s it expanded across the UK and now has more than 800 venues.
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