Sponsored by a range of companies, the scholars each receive £4,500 in the current academic year, a paid work placement for their sandwich year, and the possibility of further funding for their final year of degree study.

John Reed, Chairman of the BPC said: “It is very pleasing to see so many new BPC scholars. The scholarship programme is a great way to introduce students into the poultry industry and the many career opportunities that it provides. Harper Adams has a proven track record in training scholars to be ready for the world of work, so we are delighted as an industry to be a part of this event.”

The new scholars, who were all congratulated at a presentation event this week, are:

Aviagen

Alex Heath, 19, from Eaton-on-Tern, Shropshire. Alex, a BSc (Hons) Agriculture student, said “I am delighted to receive the Aviagen scholarship. It really gives you a sense of direction, for both study and future career ambitions. It is fantastic to be given the opportunity to advance your skills and learning with in the industry, and I would like to thank Aviagen for investing their confidence in me.”

Bernard Matthews

Thomas Charles Chambers, 19, from Petham, Kent, who is working towards a Foundation degree in Agri-business. Thomas said: “This award gives me the chance to get a job in a new industry that I do not have as much experience of as other agricultural sectors. The scholarship process gave me the chance to prove myself, not just on a piece of paper but in person at the interview. My ambition is to work my way up through a business starting from the bottom, so that I gain experience in all aspects of the business.”

Cargill Meats Europe

Isaab Bebb, 21, from Llansanffraid, Powys. Isaac, a BSc (Hons) Agriculture student said: “I would like to thank Cargill for opening a door for me into one of the world’s biggest poultry companies. I look forward to working for Cargill during my placement year, experiencing all aspects of broiler production.”

Faccenda (seven scholars)

BSc (Hons) Agri-Business student Jonathan Broadhurst, 19, from Childs Ercall, Shropshire, said: “The 12-month scholarship award with a leading poultry company, Faccenda Foods, will give me the opportunity to work in all areas of their poultry business. This will undoubtedly provide me with a level of experience in the poultry industry in the UK that I can take into my final year at Harper Adams University, with a potential future career in the sector.”

Agri-business student William de Mey, 20, from Tiverton, Devon, adds: “This Scholarship is a means to securing my future. I came to Harper Adams with the hope of finding a path in life and this scholarship has laid before me a path full of opportunities in a company that I hope to grow with. I feel very lucky and appreciative to Faccenda to be offered this position.”
Kelly Howe, 19, from Wellington, Somerset is also studying agri-business. She said: “This award means that I can look forward to my placement year, knowing I will be spending it working in an industry I am passionate about. My thanks to Faccenda for giving me the opportunity.”

Georgina Pearson, 19, from Hallow, Worcester, is studying BSc (Hons) Food and Consumer Studies. She said: “The scholarship has given me a chance to gain real, hands-on experience working with a major producer as part of a New Product Development team, which is something I have always aspired to do. Poultry is not something I’m familiar with so I cannot wait to get stuck in!”

Hannah Rose, 19, and studying Agri- food Marketing with Business Studies, comes from Cleeton St. Mary, south Shropshire. “The BPC scholarship will provide me with an excellent opportunity to further my studies, gaining the experience needed to begin a career within the poultry industry. I would like to thank both the BPC and Faccenda for providing me with this opportunity and I look forward to learning about the poultry industry,” said Hannah, who will work in sales and marketing.

Ava Stanbridge, 20, from Holmfirth, West Yorkshire will take a technical role at Faccenda. The BSc (hons) Food, Nutrition and Wellbeing student said: “I am really pleased to have the opportunity to work at Faccenda Foods and am delighted to have been awarded a scholarship and placement with them. I would like to thank all my family and friends for all their help and advice throughout the interview and selection process, and the company for giving me this opportunity.”

Agri-business student David Stubley, 23, from Spalding, Lincolnshire, said: “The Faccenda scholarship means I can work for one of the leading poultry companies in the UK. Having never worked within the sector it gives me a great foundation from which to learn. I would like to thank representatives at both Harper Adams and Faccenda Foods for awarding me the scholarship.”

Faccenda Employees Award

Imogen Manning, 19, BSc Agriculture, from Ledbury, Herefordshire, said: “I would like to say a massive thank you to Faccenda and their Agricultural Director Reg Smith for giving me this scholarship. It means a lot me and to my family to receive the Employee’s Award.”

Gressingham Foods (two scholars)

BSc Agriculture student Sam Whitmore, 19, from Ipswich, Suffolk. Sam said: “I am very grateful to have been awarded a poultry scholarship by Gressingham and I am really looking forward to my year with them. I feel the poultry sector is an exciting and fast-paced industry that offers great future opportunity. This will hopefully be the first step of a successful career within the industry.”

Agriculture with Marketing student Sophie Langmead, 20, from Halnaker, West Sussex, added: “The scholarship is a great opportunity to go and work in the UK’s only fully integrated duck producer. I have had a lot of exposure to the fresh produce industry and the chance to understand and really get behind the poultry industry whilst trying something new really appealed to me.

Gressingham stood out for me because of the branding - as an agriculture wit marketing student, how products appeal to the UK public is really important.”