The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers has opened nominations for its Under-30s Award as it looks for young people who have already made a significant contribution to the fruit industry or improved the business they work in.
Andrew Barclay of Berry Gardens was the 2017 winner, being rewarded for leading a team of seasonal workers from 55 UK sites in trapping and monitoring an invasive soft fruit pest.
The ecology graduate works with research groups to advance pest control and disseminates information relevant to the Berry Gardens grower community.
The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers said his enthusiasm for insect ecology, the implementation of trapping technologies, pest monitoring, and identification has enabled him to support “highly successful” Integrated Pest Management programmes implemented by Berry Gardens’ growers.
The organisation added that over the last four years he has been “instrumental in improving the knowledge and understanding of pests affecting soft and stonefruit crops”.
Candidates who wish to be considered for the Under-30s Award should be:
- Working for a UK based employer.
- Not in college or university education.
- No more than 30 years of age.
- Developing a career in the fresh produce industry and be working with fruit and/or fruit-related products.
- Making a significant contribution to the sector by having undertaken projects that have advanced or improved the business they work in.
Candidates, with their sponsors, should submit a comprehensive summary of their achievements and aspirations to support their application for the award. A representative of the Fruiterers Awards Council may also wish to meet candidates at their place of work.
Submissions should be sent toawards@fruiterers.org.ukby 30 April 2019, and the winner will be announced in mid-June.
