The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) enjoyed a night of success at the prestigious CBI Trade Association Best Practice Awards last week.

At a glittering ceremony held at London’s Park Lane InterContinental hotel, NFU director general Richard Macdonald was presented with a lifetime achievement award while the Africa 100 appeal won the Social Initiative award.

Macdonald has worked for the NFU for 32 years and has been its director general since 1996. He has led the NFU through one of the stormiest periods in agricultural history and become one of the most highly respected figures in UK agriculture, using his contacts and experience to strengthen the NFU’s influence as the voice of British farming.

Macdonald said: “I am very proud. In very large part this is an award for all the great, dedicated people at the NFU who give its leaders such high-quality, professional support.”

The Africa 100 appeal was launched by the NFU as part of its centenary celebrations in partnership with FARM-Africa, a registered charity with more than 20 years' experience of working with local farmer organisations in East Africa, to help them improve their productivity. The appeal will fund a cassava project in Kenya and has so far raised £172,000.

Dr Christie Peacock, chief executive of FARM-Africa, said: “FARM-Africa is delighted that the innovative partnership with the NFU through the Africa 100 Appeal has been recognised by the CBI Trade Association by being awarded this honour. The NFU’s members, supporters and staff have put a huge effort into making Africa 100 a success in bringing the reality of the daily challenges and successes of African farmers to the attention of UK farmers and the wider agricultural sector.”

The awards, launched in 2002, recognise and reward the achievements of Trade Association Forum members.

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