Honours: Animal testing lab chief created CBE

Brian Cass, managing director of Huntingdon Life Sciences, the animal testing laboratory that became the target of violent animal rights activists, is appointed a Commander of the British Empire.

Mr Cass, who has been physically attacked several times by protesters, has received the personal support of the Prime Minister. Despite this, the Cambridgeshire-based firm has been forced to de-list from the UK stock market and seek funding from America to remain in business.

Elsewhere in the business community, six leading figures from industry and finance receive knighthoods. The list includes Roy Gardner, chief executive of British Gas's parent company, Centrica, Tom McKillop, chief executive of the drugs giant AstraZeneca, and Keith Whitson, chief executive of the HSBC bank. Other knighthoods are awarded to Brian Stewart, chairman of the Scottish & Newcastle brewery, and Peter Rigby, a West Midlands industrialist.

Two former members of the Bank of England's interest rate-setting monetary policy committee, Ian Plenderleith and Sushil Wadhwani, are appointed CBEs. Phil White, chief executive of National Express, is created CBE.