The prestigious Peter Kemp award – presented only once every three years – was awarded at this year’s Egg & Poultry Industry Conference (EPIC) to Mark Williams, recognising his contribution to the UK egg industry.
Williams began his career in poultry in the early 1980s before joining the NFU as a poultry advisor in 1991. In 1999, he joined the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC), serving as chief executive from 2000 until his retirement in 2023.
Throughout his career, Williams has worked to champion the egg industry, and was instrumental in developing the Lion Code of Practice, now the benchmark for egg production standards, and helping to secure key regulatory changes at the EU level, including extended housing periods during avian influenza crises.
Accepting the award, Williams dedicated the recognition to “the whole of our great egg industry,” adding his gratitude to colleagues and producers across the sector.
Also recognised during the evening, James Chalmers received the Poultry Person of the Year Award, praised for his integrity, generosity, and long-standing leadership in tackling the UK’s turkey challenges and supporting industry growth. Accepting the award, Chalmers said he was “shocked and honoured,” dedicating the recognition to his wife Jill and colleagues across the industry. Reflecting on over four decades in poultry, he said, “The one thing that’s remained constant is the friendships and close relationships built over the years. We should all be proud of what we’ve achieved together through some extremely challenging times.”
Hannah Cargill of Avara Foods was named Young Poultry Person of the Year, celebrating the next generation of talent shaping the future of the poultry industry.