Roger Adshead, the Chief Executive of farmers' group, Framlingham Farmers has received an MBE for services to agriculture.
Roger, who lives in Thorpe Abbotts, received the award from Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace joined by his wife Jackie, son Mark and daughter Caroline.
Afterwards Roger commented:
" Fram Farmers had been established for 13 years when I joined, taking on a new role as Development Officer. It became clear early on that the strength and underlying principle of the group was - and still is – to provide Member benefit through cooperation; looking after the interests of members, not the individual. I am very honoured and proud to receive this MBE but without the success of Fram Farmers there would be no MBE. We have expanded over the years and now have 550 or so members but we have never pursued the profit ethic other than for the benefit of Members. I feel this MBE is a recognition of the commitment of the Chairmen, Directors, Members and Staff who have been part of Fram Farmers over the past 46 years."
Roger's views are echoed by current chairman Robert Rous who said:
" Both the board and the members at large are very pleased for Roger in receiving this well deserved award; I feel it reflects his hard work in the development of the farmers' cooperative over the years and highlights just how important it has been and continues to be, for farmers across the country."
Keith Bullock, a well-known and respected figure and former Chairman of Framlingham Farmers, was vice-chairman when Roger was appointed as Development Officer. Keith commented:
"I remember when Roger came for an interview in 1973. I am sure he won't mind me saying that he was as green as grass then about the concept of Framlingham Farmers but he has grasped what working for a farmer's cooperative is all about, from a farmer's point of view, more than any other member of staff we have ever had. He has always been conscious that his main priority has been to serve the farmer members.
Roger is not your 9 to 5 man and has always been committed to fulfilling the aims and
objectives of Fram Farmers. I am very glad Roger has received his MBE – a well-deserved pat on the back! "
This is not the first time a member of the group's board has received an award: In 1969, former chairman and founding member the late Steven Horvat was awarded the OBE for services to agricultural cooperation.
