Potato industry honours David Walker, OBE‏
The British Potato Industry Award Panel is pleased to confirm David Walker as this year's winner.
Presenting the award at the British Potato Council's (BPC) premier event, BP2007, in Harrogate, Janet Godfrey highlighted Mr Walker's impressive contribution to the potato industry.
"He has a strong customer focus and a clear understanding of business issues which have been put to good use during his time with the BPC. One of his key skills has been to work with individuals and groups who hold divergent views, bringing them together to reach a real consensus," said Mrs Godfrey.
Mr Walker is an outstanding individual who, in his 10 years as BPC chairman, continues to be a great champion of the British potato industry, supporting all parts whether they are breeders of potato varieties, growers, traders, packers, processors, merchants or retailers. He has brought all sectors together to discuss issues and promote solutions for the benefit of all.
As founder chairman of the BPC in 1997, Mr Walker was presented with a huge task. Potato growers were divided in support for the new organisation, buyers of potatoes were for the first time required to contribute levies, and all levy payers expected value for money from the new organisation.
Mr Walker put together a team of respected industry representatives to form the first Council which then set clear business objectives and budgets. For 10 years he has inspired and at the same time challenged Council members and staff to constantly improve services to an ever changing industry. As a measure of his success, three independent reviews of the BPC have all commented favourably on the effectiveness and efficiency of the organisation.
Mr Walker's infectious enthusiasm, his willingness to engage in debate with all in the industry whatever their views, and above all his efforts in encouraging the industry to work more closely together for common good, are powerful attributes which are recognised by his peers.
They were recognised in 2006 with an OBE for services to agriculture, and again today by his industry colleagues with this Potato Industry Award.
Mr Walker was formerly managing director of Cyanamid Agriculture and prior to that held a number of senior commercial roles in the agrochemical industry.
The Award Panel is chaired by Jim Godfrey; the other panel members are Jim Cruickshank, Richard Harris, Tony Worth and Pat Sage. All have wide knowledge and experience of the potato sector and are appointed in their personal capacity, independent of any companies and organisations.
The award was founded in 1997 to acknowledge one person every year who has made a significant contribution to the British potato industry. A strong and vibrant British potato industry ensures there are many enthusiastic individuals who make it one of the leading potato industries in the world, providing consumers with excellent wholesome potatoes and potato products.
Nominations for the 2008 award will open in May 2008.
