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National Women in Agriculture Awards 2024 Why you should enter
Our ambition is to build a network and community of women working in the farming sector, which will support women to build contacts and friendships and progress in an industry that remains male-dominated.
As part of the network, we are organising the first-ever National Women in Agriculture Awards, a black-tie event, which will be held in the members dining room of the House of Commons in May 2024. This prestigious venue has been chosen to reflect and celebrate the valuable work women in agriculture do.
The awards scheme is just the start on our journey to creating the community and network of outstanding women who can become mentors and role models to the next generation of women in farming.
Award Categories
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Lifetime Achievement
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Farming Woman of the Year
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Supply Chain Woman of the Year
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Training and Education woman of the Year
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Trade Organisation Woman of the Year
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Rising Star of the Year
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Agriculture Influencer of the Year
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Sustainability Champion of the Year
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Agricultural Advisor of the Year
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Innovator of the Year
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Employer of the Year
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Business of the Year
Recognition
These awards recognise and celebrate female talent in agriculture, from production, stockpersonship, innovation and sustainability. There will be a strong focus on the stars of the future, and those who have made a difference over their whole careers
Networking
A fantastic opportunity to network with women from across the industry, sharing knowledge and building friendships and contacts.
Music, Food and Fun
A celebrity host will make this an evening to remember, as you raise a glass and party with live music!
The Judges
Tonia Antoniazzi
Labour MP for Gower
Tonia Antoniazzi
Labour MP for Gower
Tonia Antoniazzi is the Labour MP for Gower. She was first elected in 2017 and re-elected for a second term in 2019. Tonia is Gower’s first female MP.
Before becoming an MP, Tonia was a Modern Foreign Languages teacher.
Tonia has taken a strong interest in farming issues since being elected. She has worked closely with NFU Cymru, as well as with Ulster Farmers Union during her time as Shadow Minister for Northern Ireland.
Tonia has held several front bench roles. She currently serves in the Shadow Whips office.
Barbara Bray
Harper Adams
Barbara Bray
Harper Adams
Catherine Cooper
NFU
Catherine Cooper
NFU
Catherine Cooper is Director of People at the NFU. She provides strategic leadership on people and culture and leads on member development to create a pipeline of talent for future NFU office holders.
Catherine’s career started on the graduate scheme at Tesco, and after working as a store manager and learning that people are the heartbeat of any organisation, she decided to pursue a career in HR. She worked for a wide variety of organisations, from the NHS to SMEs to privately owned businesses before joining the NFU in 2015. She became Director of People in April 2023.
Sarah Dean
Noble Foods
Sarah Dean
Noble Foods
In 2019, after 14 years out of the family business, Sarah bought back the 50% her father had sold in 2006. Since then she has led with Purpose and Culture at the heart through her position as Chair, to ensure Noble Foods is seen as industry leading in the egg and animal feed industry (with brands such as Happy Egg, Freshlay Farms Golden Yolker and Purely Organic) as well as being sustainable for generations to come (her 3 children are currently teenagers in full-time study). Alongside this she has developed the Family Office - Beeches Group - to focus on early-stage investment in the Agri/Food/Tech arena, in particular in partnership with the SHAKE Climate Change programme at Rothamsted Research.
Chloe Ryan
Editor of Poultry Business
Chloe Ryan
Editor of Poultry Business
Chloe has spent the past decade writing about the food industry from farming, through manufacturing, retail and foodservice. When not working, dog walking and reading biographies are her favourite hobbies.
Sophie Throup
Technical and Sustainability Director (manufacturing)
Sophie Throup
Technical and Sustainability Director (manufacturing)
Sophie joined Morrisons in November 2017, following 10 years in the veterinary sector running research and training programmes. She heads Agriculture and Sustainable Sourcing policy and programmes for Morrisons and is the Technical and Sustainability Director for the manufacturing business.
Sophie is also non-exec director for AFS (Red Tractor), a steering committee member for the Food Industry Initiative on Antimicrobials and was part of Defra’s Animal Health and Welfare Pathway sub-group on legislation. She also was a driving force in setting up the School of Sustainable Food and Farming at Harper Adams University, to help set research, training and innovative support for current and future farmers on the path to net zero and sustainable farming.
Venue
House of Commons, London
Houses of Parliament, St Margaret St, London SW1A 0AA
Entry Enquiries
Name: Sue Birch
Phone: 07501 011442
Email: sue@birchassociates.co.uk
Event Enquiries
Name: Meghan Taylor
Phone: 01825 701240
Email: meghan.taylor@markallengroup.com
General Enquiries
Please contact awardsteam@markallengroup.com