Order of Distinguished Auxiliary Service: Sir Boyd Tunnock
The Order of Distinguished Auxiliary Service, one of The Salvation Army’s highest honours, has been awarded to ‘Scotland’s most famous baker’, Sir Boyd Tunnock.
Sir Boyd received the award ‘in recognition of committed professional, practical and financial support given generously to The Salvation Army in Scotland for over 30 years’ at Bellshill Corps, Scotland, on Sunday 1 June 2025.
The Order of Distinguished Auxiliary Service marks the Army’s appreciation of distinguished service rendered by non-Salvationists (church members) who have helped to further its work in various ways. It was inaugurated in 1941.
It is the first time in 70 years that the order has been bestowed upon a recipient in The Salvation Army’s United Kingdom and Ireland Territory.
Sir Boyd is the owner of Tunnock’s confectionery company, which is famous for its teacakes and caramel wafers – iconic snacks in the UK and beyond.
During the service at Bellshill, Divisional Commander Major Janet Robson shared that it was impossible to measure the impact that Sir Boyd’s generosity has had on the mission of The Salvation Army in Scotland.
Territorial Commander Commissioner Paul Main added: ‘We are deeply grateful for Sir Boyd’s kindness and support over the years. Through his generosity, practical involvement and belief in our work, he has exemplified what it means to put faith into action and to be a force for good in the lives of others.’
Commissioner Main presented Sir Boyd with his award on behalf of General Lyndon Buckingham, the international leader of The Salvation Army, and the congregation responded with a standing ovation.
Sir Boyd noted that it was an honour to be part of the service, and discussed his family’s long-standing relationship with The Salvation Army.
Sir Boyd’s daughter Fiona Gow said her father’s support for The Salvation Army was rooted in the organisation’s commitment to help people in need: ‘This honour means the world to him because no one admires the work of The Salvation Army more than he does.’
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