On Friday, 8th September 2023, the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) announced that Dr Alastair Leake, the director of policy at the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), has been awarded the 2023 National Agricultural Award. The award recognises Dr. Leake’s outstanding contribution to British agriculture through his work leading The Allerton Project, a research and demonstration farm in Leicestershire that proves that commercial farming and biodiversity can co-exist.
Dr. Leake received the award from Andrew Wraith, Head of Food & Farming at Savills, at a ceremony held at the Royal Windsor Estate, courtesy of His Majesty the King. According to the award judges, Dr. Leake has made a significant impact on the advancement of agriculture in the UK.
The Allerton Project is one of the DEFRA Sustainable Intensification Demonstration Platforms and has attracted thousands of visitors, including farmers, policymakers, researchers, and students. David Grint, CEO of the Royal Agricultural Society, said: “We were delighted to present Alastair with the RASE National Agricultural Award. He has made an extraordinary contribution to British agriculture through his work leading The Allerton Project, which has done so much to pioneer and popularise ways of farming with nature.”
Dr. Leake commented on his achievement, saying he was “humbled, honoured and thrilled” to receive the award. He added: “Never before has it been so important for us to find ways to grow our food and protect nature and the environment simultaneously.”
The Royal Agricultural Society of England has awarded its 2023 National Agricultural Award to Dr Alastair Leake, the director of policy at the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT). Dr. Leake was recognised for his outstanding contribution to British agriculture through his work leading The Allerton Project, a research and demonstration farm in Leicestershire that showcases how commercial farming and high levels of biodiversity can co-exist.
Dr. Leake received the award from Andrew Wraith, Head of Food & Farming at Savills, at a ceremony held at the Royal Windsor Estate, courtesy of His Majesty the King. The award is given annually to an individual who has made a significant impact on the advancement of agriculture in the UK.
David Grint, CEO of the Royal Agricultural Society, praised Dr. Leake for his tireless efforts to discover and communicate how agricultural production systems can allow for high levels of food production and biodiversity to occur simultaneously.
Dr. Leake said he was “humbled, honoured and thrilled” to receive the award. He thanked his colleagues for their hard work and the late Lord and Lady Allerton for their vision and generous gift of the Loddington Estate. He concluded: “Never before has it been so important for us to find ways to grow our food and protect nature and the environment simultaneously.”
The 2023 National Agricultural Award from the Royal Agricultural Society of England recognises Dr Alastair Leake’s pioneering work leading The Allerton Project, which has shown how farming with nature can benefit both farmers and wildlife.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.