This year’s Egg and Poultry Industry Conference (EPIC) is fast approaching, taking place at the Celtic Manor Hotel on Sunday and Monday 3-4 November.
As was the case in 2018, there is a special focus on youth, with three ‘young guns’ – Jessica Martin from the University of Edinburgh, Chris Wright of the Applied Group UK and Steven Pace of the Cheshire Egg Company – lined up to give their perspective of how to succeed in the egg and poultry meat sectors.
As a new venture, the EPIC Organising Committee is also introducing a new Young Poultry Person Initiative, providing funding to enable more young people from the industry to attend the conference,
And then there is the EPIC Young Poultry Person of the Year Award, held annually in memory of the late Clive Frampton, whose egg processing business has been a major player in the egg sector for over 40 years.
The award is now open to nominations and self-entries for anyone under the age of 40 who is making a difference in their particular part of a poultry business.
“Egg producers have dominated the awards since its inception, with last year’s winner, James Wilson of Noble Foods, employed by egg packer Noble Foods,” said chief judge Philip Clarke. “But the award is open to all and we are hoping for some standout entries from across the industry.”
As well as the prestige of winning, and the chance of a free trip to EPIC, previous winners have also spoken of the boost the award has given to their career.
Entering or nominating is straightforward – simply write down in no more than 500 words why the candidate deserves to win and email the entry to:
• Philip Clarke of Farmers Weekly at philip.clarke@rbi.co.uk
• Morgan Brobyn of the British Egg Industry Council at morgan.brobyn@britisheggindustrycouncil.com
• Shraddha Kaul of the British Poultry Council at SKaul@britishpoultry.org.uk
Closing date is Thursday 17 October.
The winner will be invited to attend 2019’s EPIC at the Celtic Manor Hotel, South Wales on 3/4 November, and will be announced at the conference banquet on the Monday evening.
Previous winners of the Young Poultry Person of the Year
2012 Matthew Davies – David Davies and Co
2013 Philip Hammond – Crowshall Vets
2014 Rebecca Tonks – St Ewe Free Range Eggs
2015 Daniel Fairburn – LJ Fairburn
2016 Dr Stephen Pace – Pace Farm Eggs
2017 Dr Jessica Martin – Royal “Dick” School in Veterinary Sciences
2018 James Wilson – Noble Foods