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King Charles recognises farming in first Birthday Honours list

Philip Clarke 19 June 2023
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Zoe Leach © Reverberate PRZoe Leach © Reverberate PR

Former National Pig Association (NPA) chief executive, and now regional director for NFU East Anglia, Zoe Leach has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the new King’s first Birthday Honours list.

Better known to many by her maiden name of Davies, Zoe was granted the honour in recognition of her services to the pig industry.

See also: New year honour for farm safety campaigner

Having joined the NPA in 2008, she became its first chief executive in 2014, exerting a huge influence on the pig sector, lobbying government for fairer regulations, making producers’ case throughout the supply chain, and representing the pig industry in the media.

“This is a massive honour and I’m still slightly in shock,” said Zoe. “For me, this really reflects on the fantastic work of the NPA over all my years there and well before that.

“The pig industry is full of wonderful people who have come through some tough challenges over the years. I have just tried to do my best to support them.”

Inclusivity

Also receiving an OBE was Navaratnam Partheeban who, as co-founder of the British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society, was given his award for services to inclusion.

Better known as “Theeb”, he is a practical farm animal vet and researcher based in Essex, as well as a director of the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC), having previously been an OFC “emerging leader” in 2020.

He is an outspoken advocate for all forms of inclusivity in the veterinary profession and agriculture.

Taking to social media, Theeb tweeted: “Really humbled and amazed to have been awarded an OBE today in the King’s Birthday Honours list.

“I am so grateful to everyone, especially my wife, who has supported my journey and given me the strength to try to create a positive impact for all around. Thank you and peace y’all.”

Other awards

The King’s Birthday Honours list also made a number of people from the farming industry Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBEs).

Bill Gray, farm and estate manager at Preston Hall, Pathhead, Midlothian and a past chairman of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), received his award for “services to agriculture, to charity and to the community in Scotland”.

“My three years as chairman of the Society were marked by the Covid pandemic – one of the most challenging times in the Society’s 239-year history,” he said..

“With the support of the dedicated RHASS team and directors we returned as a stronger, more resilient charity, and I am immensely proud to have held the position of chairman during this challenging time.”

Organic farmer Iain Tolhurst, of Tolhurst Organic in Oxfordshire, was also granted an MBE for services to agriculture, while Susan Wilkinson, county co-ordinator for the Farming Community Network for more than 20 years was awarded an MBE “for services to the farming community in Somerset”.

Geoffrey Brown, managing director of Ripon Farm Services in North Yorkshire received an MBE for services to the rural economy. 

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