Phil Stocker

National Sheep Association

Phil Stocker

The Outstanding Contribution to British Agriculture has been awarded to the Chief Executive of the National Sheep Association (NSA) Phil Stocker.

Having recently celebrated 10 years of leadership at the NSA, Phil has represented a sector who have experienced unprecedented times in UK agriculture, a restructure of trade deals and significant economic, social and political uncertainty.

With a wealth of experience and huge respect from his farming peers, Phil has also championed and lobbied the government on the pressing needs and demands of UK sheep farmers at a national and political level.

Prior to joining the NSA, he worked at the RSPB and the Soil Association for 14 years, the latter of which he spent as Director of Farmer and Grower Relations.

As his career has progressed, Phil has gained huge respect from his farming peers and remains an avid supporter of younger farmers and new entrants coming into the agricultural industry.

Teamwork

Speaking to a packed room of more than 800 farmers and fellow professionals, Phil was quick to credit the support he has received along the way.

He said: “I feel incredibly grateful and humbled to win this award. Agriculture is one of the best and most fundamental industries in the world, producing food and looking after the countryside and the wider environment.

“Sheep farming is central to a growing interest in sustainable farming where we integrate the protection and enhancement of our natural environment with producing food and of course fibre in the form of wool – in the hills and uplands and grassland areas but also increasingly within arable farms who are looking to reintroduce rotations/build soil quality/create new business opportunities.

“I also want to say that while this award may have my name on it, there are a lot of people – colleagues and family – who are also responsible and who have given me huge support throughout my career.

“If I have any advice it is to surround yourself with good people who share your values/interests/ and ethics – its teamwork and collaboration that has a real impact.”