The dairy industry celebrated the National Farmers Union’s (NFU) Terry Jones at this year’s Dairy UK annual dinner, where he received the excellence award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to British agriculture.

Throughout his career Jones has championed food and agriculture. As former director general of the NFU, he has dedicated more than two decades to championing British agriculture, representing farmers and working closely with government and the wider food supply chain. 

He played an essential role supporting the dairy sector through politically and economically turbulent periods, including Brexit and the subsequent period trade realignment, the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. In particular he was recognised for his political acumen and his calm, pragmatic approach during some of the most challenging periods in the sector’s recent history.

Commenting, Dr Judith Bryans chief executive of Dairy UK says, “Terry is someone who embodies the spirit of collaboration and for many years has brought people all across the supply chain together. His ability to navigate difficult waters in a politically astute and resourceful way has been such an asset to UK agriculture.  It’s been our pleasure at Dairy UK to work with Terry over the past two decades, and he’s a worthy winner of this years award.”

Jones comments, “I am delighted and honoured to receive this award from Dairy UK. It was the privilege of my career to hold the role of director general at the NFU, representing dairy farmers across England and Wales. In accepting this award, I want to pay tribute to my fantastic former colleagues at the NFU and also the farmers who give freely of their time to represent their peers with government and the wider industry.”

Jones stepped down as director general earlier this year but is continuing his work to support agriculture, food and the environment through his work with the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and the Marine Management Organisation. 

The award was presented by impressionist and entertainer Jon Culshaw at the annual dinner, which brought together industry leaders, farmers, processors, retailers, and stakeholders from across the supply chain.

Also recognised at this year’s Annual Dinner event was Kim Kettle of Clawson Farms, who was celebrating 50 years of service to the dairy processing sector to the day, having joined at 16 years of age.