THE FARMERS CLUB PINNACLE AWARDS 2026 
ABERYSTWYTH UNIVERSITY student Rhian Griffiths has scooped the 2026 Farmers Club Pinnacle Award for farm business management. Sponsored by the Cave Foundation and run with consultancy firm ADAS this prestigious competition drew entries from colleges and universities across the United Kingdom.
The overall winner was Rhian Griffiths from Aberystwyth University, with Frances Maxwell from Nottingham University second, and Erin McGuire from SRUC Aberdeen third.
Celebrating its 29th year the competition seeks to identify young people destined to lead rural businesses in the future, an ambition first realised by awards instigator and 1997 Club Chairman, Roy Walker, nephew of the late Wilfrid Cave.
The 2026 Judges were keen to see detailed plans that would help farms diversify for the future. A firm grasp of the key principles of business planning, finance, cashflow and sensitivity analysis was essential.
Professor Nigel Scollan BSc PhD FRAgS, Chair of the judging panel, commended the finalists for their dedication and commitment. Their efforts were scrutinised by a judging panel of ADAS Technical Director Business Management James Dunn FASAg, Farmers Club Chairman, Christopher Riddle ARAgS, and ADAS Agri Business Consultant and 2024 Bronze Finalist, Sally Griffiths.
The interviews, presentations, awards ceremony and celebration dinner were all held in the Club’s Farmers Suite overlooking the River Thames in the heart of London.
The keenly contested competition saw ADAS sift a long list of entrants to generate a shortlist of eight for interview in the Club. Key criteria for judging day was the ability to write a report concisely, a determination to defend it, clear presentation style, strong communication skills, a good degree of common sense, an understanding of the realities of the agricultural environment, and self-confidence.
This year we are delighted to announce that the awards were presented by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.
After the formalities the finalists, judges, family, friends and lecturers enjoyed a fine celebration dinner.
A summary of the three Awards is as follows:-
Pinnacle Gold & Presentation of the Nickerson Cup, £2000
Rhian Griffiths – Aberystwyth University
Five year business plan aiming to increase the size of the dairy enterprise at Tan-y-Coed Farm, with the agriculture practices remaining as organic due to the high input costs required for more conventional methods of farming with the current market state. The plan defines a series of goals across the five years including renting out of the farm-house, new infrastructure as well as making the most of grant and environmental schemes. As well as thought through transition of labour requirements on the holding as the perspective tenants expand their enterprises.
Pinnacle Silver, £1000
Frances Maxwell – University of Nottingham
Business appraisal of University of Nottingham Farm evaluating a series of methods aimed at restoring the profitability of the holding and improving the long-term resilience of the business. The analysis focuses on maximising the efficiency of the existing infrastructure through expansion of the dairy herd to 500 milking-cows. Restructuring of the arable enterprise to better support dairy forage requirements and making use of contractors for arable operations as well as restructuring current labour requirements. Cashflow projections indicate an improvement compared to business-as-usual scenario within the first two budgeted years.
Pinnacle Bronze, £600
Erin McGuire – SRUC
Appraisal and development plan for West Davoch Farm, a tenanted mixed livestock and arable holding in Aberdeenshire. The objectives of the business are to achieve a sustainable work–life balance for the family labour force and to increase tenancy security by extending the current five-year agreement to a 10-15-year term. The report notes the reliance on support payments and external funding to help retain a profit and aims to reduce reliance on these sources. An environmental appraisal of the current practices at West Davoch Farm are evaluated and taken into consideration with the decisions made in the plan. The plan proposes a phased transition to a 650-ewe split-flock system aiming to produce prime lambs.
The runners up were:
James O’Regan – Harper Adams University
Farm business review of Broad Oak Farm’s arable and dairy enterprises concluding that the milking herd should be increased by 80-cows utilising some of the arable land to facilitate this. The review concludes that it is not in the farms’ best interests to renew the Farm Business Tenancy on the arable land. The plan recognises the need for investment in order to adopt these changes including new infrastructure, land as well as housing adjustments. Comprehensive plan including all relevant funding opportunities through various grant schemes as well as loan requirements for the holding.
Poppy Sleightholme – Harper Adams University
Business plan exploring the diversification opportunity of an Open-Air Cinema for The Elveden Estate. The report evaluates the financial and strategic viability of introducing a 28-day open-air cinema to the estate during the summer months. The plan aims to increase the seasonal income and maximise the use of estate infrastructure. The proposal supports the business objectives to meet the rising demand for rural, experience-focused leisure activities and capitalise on the customer base of existing seasonal events by using the brand recognition associated with the estate. The plan includes analysis of existing similar businesses, the financial state as well as projected return on investment for the diversification.
Cameron Anderson - Aberystwyth University
Business proposal for Tan-y-Coed Farm in Ceredigion. The project focuses on utilising milk produced on farm for diversification into ice-cream manufacturing and milk sales direct to consumers through local schools, shops and cafes. Alongside commercial dairy production they prioritise sustainable land management by developing biomass production and a silvopasture system, aligning with the prospective tenants’ environmental objectives.
Grace Harding – University of Somerset
Investment appraisal for Charity Farm, concluding that the beef enterprise is more favourable expansion in comparison of the dairy and holiday let enterprises. Investing into a beef finishing enterprise is perceived the most suitable investment opportunity for Charity Farm, as it doesn't conflict with the farms current system, ethos or family values whilst also being viable, utilising resources that are currently available to the business. The plan highlights the aim to produce high quality carcasses to obtain high price premiums maintaining focus on the farms’ low input ethos.
Gemma Ambrose – SRUC
Report evaluating West Davoch Farm, a mixed tenancy farm covering 338 hectares of lowland and rough grazing. This report conducts a financial review of the existing business identifying areas of strength and weakness leading to a proposal of the sale of all silage equipment with the introduction of agricultural contractors in their place. Financial analysis sees that despite contractor charges of £26,000-£33,000 annually to carry out hay, haylage, silage and whole-crop production, that the business will see a significant increase in owned net worth percentage and around £50,000 reduction in variable costs. It is then proposed that this increase in money is used to contribute towards liabilities. The report also sees an environmental appraisal of the business which is fed into the future decision making process.
All finalists receive one-year free Club membership
THE FARMERS CLUB 2026 PINNACLE AWARDS
WEDNESDAY, 6TH MAY 2026
The Farmers Club Pinnacle Awards, now in their 29th year, are a regular fixture in the academic calendar and present a unique challenge for students to showcase their potential. The Pinnacle Awards are most generously sponsored by The Cave Foundation with administration and other support given by ADAS and The Farmers Club.
These Awards provide students who are planning to work in the agricultural industry an opportunity to demonstrate their potential and receive a valuable cash prize. Students who enter are encouraged to develop innovative, competitive and realistic business strategies that also meet the wider environmental requirements. Participation should involve very little additional work.
Tutors select and submit up to two projects which may form part of normal coursework and these are assessed against defined criteria and aims of the award scheme by a panel of judges from The Farmers Club and ADAS, and chaired by Professor Nigel Scollan, Director of Institute for Global Food Security at Queens University Belfast.
The eight short listed students are invited to The Farmers Club in London on Wednesday,
6th May 2026 for an interview and will be asked to deliver a power point presentation of their project.
That evening the eight finalists will be invited to a formal dinner, with their family and lecturers present, when the prizes will be awarded:-
- First place receives the Nickerson Cup and The Farmers Club GOLD Student Pinnacle Award of £2000.
- Second place receives The Farmers Club SILVER Student Pinnacle Award of £1000.
- Third place receives The Farmers Club BRONZE Student Pinnacle Award of £600.
- All Finalists will receive one year’s membership of The Farmers Club.
Finalists' accommodation on Wednesday, 6th May 2026, dinner is complimentary.
Why Enter?
The purpose of the Awards is to:
- Stimulate and encourage an innovative approach to business management within a context of productive farming which minimises environmental impact
- Provide encouragement to students to develop and enhance their knowledge and application of budgeting, financial assessment, commercial viability and the environment
- Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of the issues involved in securing our food and enhancing the environment
- Develop problem-solving skills
- Provide an opportunity for students to develop communication and presentation skills.
Who can enter?
The Awards are open to full- time students on a college or university course that is related to the rural economy who will complete a practically based business related project as part of their course during the academic year 2025/2026.
Students are entered on the recommendation of their college or university as having undertaken a project of a high standard which is suitable for assessment in competition with others.
The project may form part of normal course work. Entries from group based projects are permitted, with the interview and presentation open to only one member of the group.
How to register
Registration is in two stages:
- Initial interest in submitting entries for the awards must be made by Friday, 19th December 2025.
- Submission of the entry including full contact details of the student and tutor by Thursday, 2nd April 2026. Electronic submissions in Word, Excel or PDF formats will be accepted.
NB: Entries received after the cut-off date may be excluded from the competition
- The Pinnacle Awards will be held at The Farmers Club on Wednesday, 6th May 2026.
Please send Registrations and Submissions to the administrator of the Awards,
Julian Matthews at ADAS. Julia will also be happy to answer any questions and give guidance on what is involved:-
Tel: 07443 275 170
Assessment criteria
Initially entries are assessed on the written project. For those students who are shortlisted, there will be individual interviews and power point presentations held in a competitive environment. All submissions should be realistic and relevant to current market conditions.
All entries:
- Investigation and identification of issues and priorities
- Appropriateness and innovation of the proposals
- Understanding and demonstration of the full range of business management skills balanced with a need to produce food and enhance the environment
- Methodology, and accuracy of the supporting data; including financial assessments
- Recommendations for follow up actions and progress monitoring.
Finalists will also be assessed on their interview and presentation skills.
Additional weighting may be given to entries that identify and address challenges that are topical and relevant to the current markets and conditions that farm businesses are operating in.
Notes to tutors
- This award scheme requires you to select and submit up to two projects.
- These could be a part of your students’ normal coursework, or a specific assignment.
- Work carried out by students working in groups is accepted. You should note only one student per group will be invited to the interview, presentation and award dinner, and if successful, there will be only one prize per group.
- Please identify suitable projects and candidates, bearing in mind the aims of the scheme and the assessment criteria when selecting your submissions.
- Students are likely to benefit from an early introduction to the Pinnacle Awards, for example at the beginning of a module that is likely to produce suitable pieces of work for submission. This is recommended to allow students time to prepare.
- Please make registrations and submissions by the deadlines.
If you have any questions or require guidance on what is involved, please do not hesitate to contact the administrator of the Awards, Julian Matthews at ADAS Julia.Matthews@adas.co.uk