The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers (WCF) was delighted to have the occasion of the National Fruit Show; renowned annual gathering for the industry, for Master Fruiterer, David Simmons to present a range of prestigious Awards granted by the Fruiterers Awards Council. The Awards, detailed below, included a Special Merit Award, granted earlier in the year, for which this was the first opportunity to present.
WCF Under 30 Award 2020
Awarded to individuals who have made a mark in horticultural studies, made a career in the fruit industry and have reached management level, all before reaching the age of 30.
Awarded to Dan Masters – Norton Folgate Marketing Ltd
David Simmonds said: “Over the last 5 years Dan has become one of the top stone fruit specialists in the country and according to his bosses, now dominates the subject with a confidence that belies his youth”
WCF Management Award 2020
Awarded to individuals who demonstrate progressive and innovative management skills working within the UK fruit industry.
Awarded to: Tom Pearson, Hugh Lowe Farms, Kent (featured image)
David Simmonds said: “Tom is very highly regarded in the industry, with progressive and innovative management skills including adopting novel techniques for both cherry and soft fruit production.”
WCF Fruit Culture Award 2020
Award to those who have made outstanding contributions through communication & technology transfer
Awarded to: John Atwood
David Simmonds said: “John has made a huge contribution to securing off-label approvals of crop protection products, undertaking a vast number of herbicide trials, benefitting the industry enormously. His achievements have been hugely influential on the success of our industry”
WCF Special Merit Award 2020: Climate Change
The Award supports horticultural scientific research and industrial development. The 2020 award is to help address the mitigation of climate change, the major challenge facing human survival on our planet.
Awarded to Fresca & Thompson’s Innovation Centre
Jointly awarded in March 2020 with the Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology (JHSB)
David Simmonds said: “We are delighted to have such a deserving winner. The Fresca & Thompson’s Innovation Centre was created to identify and commercialise potential new UK crops as a climate change adaptation and mitigation project – and has shown originality and vision.”
Chris Newenham Chair, WCF Awards Council said: “The Livery was delighted to finally have an opportunity to present a number of its 2020 awards. We are exceptionally grateful to Sarah Calcutt and her team at the National Fruit Show Live for providing the platform from which to do this. Following four formidable speakers who shone a light on the varied work supported by the livery, it was a wonderful opportunity to recognise not only outstanding up and coming talent in our industry but also those who have given a life-times worth of support enhancing its prospects.”