The Crown Estate is delighted to announce the winners of a new, company-wide Business Awards scheme designed to recognise excellence in business performance, innovation, environmental care and sustainability. These areas complement The Crown Estate’s core values of commercialism, integrity and stewardship.
The awards operate in each of The Crown Estate’s business areas – marine, rural and urban - and demonstrate our ongoing commitment to encouraging the development of successful, innovative and sustainable business.
The Rural Business Award has been won by James and Carole Fisher of Newton House Farm on the Bingham Estate in Nottinghamshire.
The Fishers farm just over 370 hectares (920 acres) of predominantly arable land bordering the village of Newton. The Fisher family have been tenants of The Crown Estate since it purchased the estate in 1937.
The Fishers have been keen to ensure the continuous improvement and development of their business seeking opportunities for growth. The farm business has specialised in arable cropping and son Adam is responsible for managing and developing day-to-day operations.
In addition, the business has developed new enterprises including an equestrian business now regarded as one of the best training facilities in the Midlands. Their Christmas tree business now sells over 1000 trees every year.
The Fishers have always farmed in an environmentally sensitive manner, maintaining strips alongside water-courses to prevent pollution and maintain wildlife diversity. They have worked with The Crown Estate to establish woodland plantations and water features on the farm and have introduced owl boxes which have successfully increased the owl population.
The family is highly regarded in the local community. James has been a Parish Councillor for over 25 years and the farm also hosts a number of social and charitable events alongside educational visits.
The judges were highly impressed by the family’s team approach and the ways in which they all played to their strengths, Christopher Bourchier, Director of the Rural Estate at The Crown Estate, and one of the judges of the Rural Business Award, said, “The Fishers’ involvement in the community in general and the efforts that are made to ensure a good local understanding of rural issues in particular are outstanding.”
Chief Executive of The Crown Estate, Roger Bright will present the Fishers with their prize by– a specially designed trophy – at a lunchtime reception at Lancaster House, London on Thursday 13 July 2006 when The Crown Estate annual results will also be announced.
