Andrew Ward, MBE
Founder of Forage Aid & Director of Roy Ward (Farms) Ltd.Lincolnshire-based arable farmer, Andrew Ward, has an in-depth knowledge of arable crop production and input costs, developed over the years on his family farm and leading to him being named Farmers Weekly’s Arable Farmer of the Year in 2008. Now Director of Roy Ward (Farms) Ltd, Andrew’s innovative approach to agriculture and passion for food security has lead him to begin a mission to produce the first British baked beans. In April 2013, following the devastation caused by the heaviest snowfall for 30 years across Wales and the North of England, Andrew launched Forage Aid, which would go on to become synonymous with supporting farmers across the UK during the toughest of times. In the same year, Andrew was recognised for his work through Forage Aid when he was named the Farmers Weekly Farming Champion, sponsored by NFU, and in 2014 he was awarded an MBE for services to farming in England and Wales.
Marion Regan, MBE
Managing Director of Hugh Lowe FarmsHaving studied Botany and Horticulture at Oxford, Maryland and Wye College, Marion joined her family’s farming business, Hugh Lowe Farms Ltd, growing soft fruit and arable crops in Kent. She became Managing Director of Hugh Lowe Farms Ltd. in 1996 and later, its associated plant propagation company Blaise Plants Ltd. In 2023, the company acquired the premium salad grower L J Betts Ltd. Marion is also a co-owner and director of Burlington Berries Pty Ltd in Tasmania, and of the agricultural robotics start up, Dogtooth Technologies Ltd. Marion’s former roles include Chairman of Berry Gardens Growers, the largest UK berry marketing co-operative; Director of the Oxford Farming Conference; Trustee of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and of the East Malling Trust for Horticultural Research. In 2014, Marion’s hard work and dedication to her industry was recognised when she was awarded an MBE for services to the fruit industry.
Peter Greig
Founder of Pipers FarmPeter Greig is a farmer and the co-founder of Pipers Farm, launched in 1989. Its mission is to preserve small-scale, family farms who farm in harmony with nature and provide a direct route to market for sustainably produced; meat, dairy, seafood and artisanal products. Pipers Farm now delivers approximately 80,000 boxes a year to homes around the country. Peter is on WWFs Farming Advisory Board, is Vice-Chairman of The Education Committee for The Farmers Livery Company, is a mentor at Coventry University and oversees The Challenge of Rural Leadership Course at Duchy College. Peter’s extensive advocacy work centres on the importance of transforming our food and farming systems to put farmers at the heart of supply chains, improve public health and create fair and resilient farming practices that reverse biodiversity loss.
