IoM / WCB annual awards return for 2022
The Institute of Meat (IoM) and the Worshipful Company of Butchers (WCB) Awards celebrated the achievements and hard work of the meat industry this year at Butchers’ Hall in London.
HRH The Princess Royal, past Master of the WBC and Fellow of the IoM, was guest of honour at this year’s ceremony. Over 100 guests gathered in the Livery Hall to see apprentices, training providers and employers receive their awards, presented by Her Royal Highness and Keith Fisher (F.Inst.M), chief executive of the IoM.
Also presiding over the awards was Margaret Boanas, current Master of the WCB.
The category winners each received a cheque for £250, a framed certificate and a year’s free membership of the IoM.
The overall winner, ‘Champion Meat Apprentice of the Year’, Austin Howell of Priory Farm Shop, Redhill, Surrey, received a winner’s trophy and certificate, a year’s free membership of the IoM and an additional cash prize of £500. Howell impressed the judges with how quickly he had progressed from being a young apprentice to taking the first step on the management ladder with his employer.
Howell told Meat Management, which sponsored the award, that he was delighted and proud to have won the award. He said: “I’ve put a lot of hard work in to get to where I am, and to win this award is extremely rewarding.
“I’m extremely grateful to Priory Farm Estate for giving me the opportunity to further my butchery career with their ongoing support and guidance. I’m looking forward to a bright future.”
Also recognised on the day were seven new IoM-accredited Master Butchers, who join a select list with under 60 butchers awarded this special accreditation over the past three decades. Margaret Boanas was also awarded a Fellowship of the IoM on the day, and food hygiene consultant Paul Bache MBE became an Honorary Fellow.
“Celebrating success”
Commenting on the day, Keith Fisher said: “It’s wonderful to be back and to be able to recognise the achievements of so many talented individuals. It has been an incredibly tough two years, everyone involved in the meat industry has worked harder than ever before.
“The awards are of course about celebrating success, but the Institute of Meat is also about fellowship. This is especially important in the hard times we’ve had recently and we’re all looking forward to a brighter year ahead.”
Chairman of the IoM Bill Jermey added: “I’ve been involved with the prize-giving for many years, but it has never felt more important to acknowledge and reward achievement. These apprentices really stepped up to the plate in unprecedented times. I’m especially delighted that HRH The Princess Royal joined us to congratulate them.”
For more information about the prize-giving, or how to nominate an apprentice please contact Sheryl Horne at the Institute of Meat, info@instituteofmeat.org
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