Agri-TechE director awarded OBE in King’s Birthday Honours

Director of Agri-TechE Dr Belinda Clarke said she was “humbled and honoured” to have been awarded an OBE for services to agri-tech and farming in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Agri-TechE is a membership network that connects farmers and growers with researchers, technologists, entrepreneurs, and investors.

Clarke has led the organisation from its inception, drawing on her experience of scientific research and knowledge exchange with farmers.

The firm is known for its role in accelerating the development and adoption of novel technologies.

Clarke commented: “I am humbled and honoured to be awarded an OBE for agri-technologies and farming and would like to pay tribute to the inspiring network, alongside whom I have the daily privilege of working.

“I see this as an accolade not just for myself, but also recognition of the contribution that Agri-TechE members’ world-leading science and innovative farming practices are making towards food security, agricultural productivity, and environmental sustainability of the global agri-food value chain.”

Chair of the Agri-TechE stakeholder board, John Barrett, added: “I would like to congratulate Belinda on this richly deserved award.

“The founding vision of Agri-TechE was to introduce disruptors and new technologies into agriculture, and to bring farmers and tech innovators together to do things differently. This has been achieved.”

At the same time, new chair of the Covent Garden Market Authority (CGMA) Wanda Goldwag was awarded an OBE for her work with leaseholders, having previously been chair of the Leasehold Advisory Service.

Goldwag said: “My real hope is that I can take my experience from other sectors and use it to support New Covent Garden Market and the wider wholesale marketplace.”