Outstanding businesses, exceptional individuals and pioneering innovation were recognised at the National Egg & Poultry Awards 2026, held on Tuesday evening in London, where hundreds of guests from across the UK egg and poultry sector gathered to celebrate the industry’s achievements.
Business leaders from the UK’s leading egg and poultry companies, producers, processors, veterinarians and representatives from industry organisations came together for the annual awards ceremony, drinks reception and gala dinner, recognising excellence across every part of the supply chain.
Television presenter, magician and entertainer Ben Hanlin hosted the awards ceremony, with legendary broadcaster Alan Dedicoat announcing the finalists throughout the evening. A total of 14 awards were presented, recognising achievements ranging from poultry production to sustainability, innovation, veterinary excellence and lifetime service to the industry.
The evening also recognised two individuals whose careers have had a profound impact on the sector. Professor Ian Brown OBE received the Special Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to animal health, avian influenza research and disease control, while James Hook was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of decades of leadership, business development and service to the UK poultry industry.
The National Egg & Poultry Awards, launched in 2018 by Poultry Business magazine, is owned by Farmers Weekly publisher Mark Allen Group.
Opening the evening, Poultry Business editor Chloe Ryan reflected on the rapid pace of change facing the industry, highlighting the challenges of geopolitical uncertainty, volatile markets, energy costs and continuing disease threats, while praising the resilience and innovation shown throughout the sector.
She also paid tribute to the judges, whose expertise helped identify this year’s winners: David Gibson, chairman of the British Poultry Council (BPC); Gary Ford, head of strategy and producer engagement at BFREPA; British Egg Industry Council chairman Mark Williams; NFU chief poultry adviser Aimee Mahony; NFU Poultry Board chairman Will Raw; poultry veterinarians Ganapathy Kannan and Claire Knott; Kelly Turkeys managing director Paul Kelly; Martin Troop of Noble Foods; and poultry industry veteran Charles Bourns.
Winners announced
Egg Packer of the Year – sponsored by Huvepharma
Farmlay Eggs was recognised for its continued investment in innovation, automation and producer partnerships, increasing packing capacity by two million eggs per week while expanding its producer network and securing new long-term contracts.
Hatchery of the Year – sponsored by dsm-firmenich
Affcot Hatchery, 2Agriculture was recognised for exceptional hatchery performance, producing more than 53 million viable chicks during the past year through investment in advanced incubation technology, excellent biosecurity and staff development.
Breeding Unit of the Year
Cleveland View, Donald Pig & Poultry won for delivering outstanding breeder flock performance, producing 191.1 eggs per bird to 60 weeks alongside consistently high hatchability through meticulous stockmanship and excellent flock health.
Grower of the Year
Allan Robinson, Pilgrims Europe was recognised for exceptional broiler performance, achieving an average European Production Efficiency Factor (EPEF) of 484.53 across his last eight flocks, demonstrating industry-leading standards of stockmanship and management.
Egg Producer of the Year
Lucy Sanderson, Moreton Grange Farms impressed judges with outstanding flock performance, delivering an exceptional 531 eggs per hen housed to 100 weeks through innovative management, excellent welfare and meticulous attention to detail.
Farm Vet of the Year – sponsored by Zoetis
Jessica Seale, Slate Hall Veterinary Services received the award for her data-led approach to poultry health, helping clients improve welfare, strengthen biosecurity and significantly reduce antibiotic use.
Young Farmer of the Year – sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim
Callum James, Devon & Somerset Eggs was named Young Farmer of the Year after demonstrating outstanding management of 56,000 free-range laying hens while actively engaging with industry organisations and supply chain partners.
Highly commended: Benjamin Turner, Pilgrims Europe, for delivering exceptional performance improvements on a 187,000-bird higher welfare broiler unit while leading a successful salmonella eradication programme.
Sustainable Farming Award – sponsored by Elanco
Greg Cole, Cole Farming received the award for pioneering regenerative egg production through fully off-grid renewable energy generation, circular nutrient management and extensive biodiversity improvements, including planting 1,400 native trees.
Initiative of the Year – sponsored by Aviagen
FLOX, 2Agriculture won for its innovative artificial intelligence-powered monitoring platform, providing continuous vision-based learning across 80 poultry sheds to improve flock management and performance.
Unit Manager of the Year
Eligijus Zenkovas, Traditional Norfolk Poultry (Wicklewood Farm) was recognised for outstanding leadership, consistently delivering excellent welfare, productivity and operational performance.
Special Achievement Award
Professor Ian Brown OBE received the Special Achievement Award in recognition of more than five decades dedicated to animal influenza research, disease surveillance and outbreak response.
During a distinguished career at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Professor Brown became one of the world’s leading experts on avian influenza, serving as director of international reference laboratories for avian influenza, Newcastle disease and swine influenza, before joining The Pirbright Institute following his retirement from APHA in 2024.
He has played a central role in shaping international disease surveillance, advising governments worldwide and supporting the UK poultry industry through numerous avian influenza outbreaks.
Trade Supplier of the Year
Enva Wood Recycling secured the only publicly voted award of the evening, recognising its contribution to supporting the poultry industry.
Lifetime Achievement Award – sponsored by Chippindale Foods
James Hook received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to the poultry sector.
A respected farmer and businessman, James has spent decades helping shape the UK poultry meat industry while serving on numerous industry organisations including the NFU National Poultry Board, the British Poultry Council, Red Tractor committees and European trade organisations.
His leadership has extended far beyond his own businesses, supporting industry initiatives, mentoring new entrants and championing British poultry production throughout his career.
Poultry Business of the Year – sponsored by Ceva
St. Ewe Free Range Eggs took the evening’s final award after another remarkable year of growth.
The business sold more than 300 million eggs during the past year and became Europe’s first B Corp-certified egg packer, while continuing to invest in sustainable packaging, producer relationships, animal welfare and community projects.