NFU horticulture board chairman, Graham Ward, has been made OBE in the New Year Honours List for services to horticulture.
Ward, 65, is the retired general manager of Snaith Salad Growers Ltd. A Grower Marketing Coop of 18 members producing glasshouse lettuce.
He has held the position at Snaith since 1991. He now acts as a consultant for the Group.
Between 1983 and 1990, Ward was the chief executive of Home Grown Salads, a federal growers’ co-operative. During this period, Home Grown Salads expanded the multiple business of the group and developed the English Village Salads brand. The group was acquired by Geest plc in 1990.
As chief executive of the Land Settlement Association, he managed the process of privatisation of the Association and he was involved in setting up seven grower market co-operatives to replace the central marketing scheme.
Ward also has a wealth of experience in plant protection, having spent 12 years at ICI.
On accepting the honour, he, said: "I am delighted to accept the honour. It's obviously very special to have your efforts recognised in this way and it is a pleasant start to the New Year. But I think this is a reward for the whole industry, and all those people who I have worked with over the years. While I have often been called on to be the spokesman for the horticultural industry, without the help of those around me, I don't believe I would have been honoured in this way. And I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their support particularly my colleagues at Snaith Salad Growers."
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