After the success of last year’s inaugural award, Lycetts, the UK’s premier countryside insurance broker, has launched its search to find the 2008 Young Rural Entrepreneur of the Year.

Working in partnership with The Field magazine, a cash prize of £10,000 is on offer to the winner who can demonstrate the requisite entrepreneurial spirit by running a company that is either based in the countryside or is making a sustainable contribution to the rural economy.

The award celebrates and supports entrepreneurial talent that exists in the countryside at a time of great change, when uncertain environmental and market conditions have forced farmers to change their farming habits.

Angus Keate, chief executive of Lycetts, said: “For the UK’s estimated 160,000 rural businesses, changes in farming can also act as a positive catalyst for an emerging wave of entrepreneurial talent in the countryside. The number and quality of the entries which were received for last year’s award, was certainly a testament to this belief.”

The competition is open for three months with entries welcomed before the closing date of August 4. Nominations can be submitted by or on behalf of an individual who meets the awards criteria.

A panel of judges which includes Financial Times journalist and rural commentator Heather McGregor, food entrepreneur, Charles Bigham, Jonathan Young, editor of The Field, Angus Keate, and Charles Seymour, managing director of Lycetts rural division, will choose the winner, who will be announced at a reception in London on October 16.

In 2007, brother-and-sister team Ben and Charlotte Hollins of Fordhall Community Land Initiative and Family Farm proved themselves worthy winners of the award with a novel and enterprising approach to funding and managing the successful conversion of a struggling farm tenancy into a flourishing community owned business venture.

Charlotte Hollins said: “The cash boost did help with the refurbishment of the farm, but the award helped in so many other ways. We met a lot of people in the competition who have since been up to the farm, and we have created partnerships with some of them.

“Winning the prize also created a huge amount of PR for us, in the local media, the national trade press and various magazines. As a result we have been able to attract more supporters for the miscellaneous events that we organise on the farm, more potential shareholders and greater involvement with local schools.”

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