New £1,000 award launched in memory of Prof John Nix
© WCF A new award recognising excellence in rural business management is being launched by the Worshipful Company of Farmers (WCF) in memory of Prof John Nix, first leader of the company’s Business Management Course and creator of the Farm Management Pocketbook.
The award, worth £1,000 each year, will be given to a past graduate of the WCF’s courses in either business management or rural leadership who have gone on to demonstrate “outstanding achievement” in their field.
They must also have completed their WCF course between eight and 12 years ago.
See also: Farmers thank public for support at Lord Mayor’s parade
The launch of the award coincides with the opening of the application window for the company’s latest business management course – the 74th time it has run.
“The annual feedback from graduates is universally outstanding,” says WCF’s senior warden Jeremy Finnis.
“The two-week residential course, with some prior preparatory work and individual follow-up, is recognised as the gold standard for agricultural business management training, and each cohort of graduates forms life-long friendships through their annual reunions.”
The new John Nix Award is being launched in association with The Andersons Centre and Farmers Weekly.
‘Doyen of management’
John, who died in 2018, is remembered as the “doyen of agricultural business management” in general and gross margins in particular, says Mr Finnis.
“His practical, down-to-earth style won many farming hearts and minds, and his Farm Management Pocketbook lives on as a worthy legacy.”
The award given in his memory will be presented at the Company’s annual lecture and dinner at Plaisterers’ Hall in London, on 29 April 2025.
Details of how to apply for the John Nix Award can be found here while information on applications for the 74th management course can be found here.
About the City Livery Companies
The WCF, established in 1952, is the 80th City Livery Company. There are currently around 410 Liverymen who come from all sections of the farming and food industries.
“They meet up regularly to enjoy fellowship and discuss charitable works at their Livery Hall in Cloth Street, next to Barbican tube station in London,” Mr Finnis explains.
“It is here that the Company also holds many of its social functions.”
The earliest Livery Companies, such as the Mercers (cloth merchants), Grocers, and Drapers, date back to medieval times, when they regulated their trades by setting standards and training young apprentices.
The earliest grant of Livery was made to the Weavers in 1155.
Today, the function of the Livery is largely ceremonial, including events such as the Lord Mayor’s Show, the annual Guildhall pancake race, and a sheep drive across the Thames.
Their principal activities continue to centre around charitable work though, donating over £75m to good causes each year.
Education
For the WCF specifically, the principal charitable objective is education, which is mainly delivered through its courses, but also through sponsoring college prizes, Nuffield Scholarships and awards for short training courses.
It distributes around £200,000 in charitable funding each year.
The WCF has strong links with London’s City Farms in general, and Surrey Docks Farm in particular.
The contribution these farms make to the wellbeing of less fortunate residents of urban London is “immeasurable”, says Mr Finnis.
“The Company provides financial support as well as the supply of farm animals and other direct help through volunteering.”
As is true for other Livery Companies, the WCF has long-standing links with the armed forces, to RAF Waddington, which is home to the Red Arrows, HMS Defender, which is currently being re-fitted, the Westminster Dragoons and the Middlesex Air Cadets.
Awards are made annually to outstanding cadets and servicemen.
More details about the WCF and on how to become a Liveryman are available at farmerslivery.org.uk.