Rhug Estate Shortlisted for Two Rural Business Awards 2018/19

Rhug Estate is delighted to have been announced as a finalist in two categories of the Rural Business Awards in the Wales & Northern Ireland Region 2018/19. Rhug Estate is a finalist in the Outstanding Rural Diversification Project category and Farm Manager, Gareth Jones, is a finalist in the Rural Employee of the Year category.

The Rural Business Awards were established in 2014. Their aim is to give recognition to businesses operating right across the rural sector, to acknowledge the breadth and depth of opportunity presented by the Great British countryside, as well as to celebrate the achievements of rural businesses.

Winners will be announced at six Regional Finals (North, East, Midlands, South East, South West and Wales & NI) during October 2018. The Welsh & Northern Ireland final will take place in Abergele on 16 October 2018.  There will then be a Grand Final in February 2019 where the winners from each category, in every region, will take part.

Lord Newborough, Owner of the Rhug Estate, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to have been chosen as a finalist in both the categories we entered in this year’s Rural Business Awards. The team is always striving to do better and that is how it should be. It is nice for all the team to receive such recognition like being finalists in this award for all their hard work and dedication. Good luck to all the finalists.”

There are five finalists including Rhug Estate for the Outstanding Rural Diversification Project category in Wales & NI. The other finalists are: Bluestone Brewing Company, Pembrokeshire; Hayley Hanson, Powys; Plas Isaf Country Barn & Gardens, Denbighshire and the Forge, Denbighshire. This Award celebrates businesses that have emerged from traditional country businesses and are generally land based. The award aims to recognise those that demonstrate a compelling justification for diversification and who have established a strong position in their marketplace. The winning business will have created the foundations for continued operation and will address the Award’s overarching ethos by demonstrating diversification – branching out from traditional activities by adding new income streams which result in growth.

There are three finalists in the Rural Employee of the Year Award including Rhug Farm Manager, Gareth Jones. The other finalists are: Beki Delaney from Daydream Designs and Philip Meade from DM Property Consultants. A business is only as good as its employees this Award aims to reward individuals who have excelled in their places of work. They will display a ‘can do’ attitude, and be a great team player who shows evidence of having added value to the business.

Lord Newborough said:

“Gareth has made a huge contribution to the overall success of Rhug Organic Farm over the last 25 years. He has also established himself as a highly respected member of many key organisations which help to inspire and guide the future development of farming in Wales. Gareth’s commitment goes further than his work at Rhug through his support of the local community, his pride in Welsh culture and language. Gareth is already a winner in my eyes.”