AHDB Beef and Lamb's Chris Lloyd has been named as the 2016 winner of the National Sheep Association's George Hedley Memorial Award.

Mr Lloyd was responsible for the knowledge transfer initiative known as the 'Better Returns Programme', and NSA chairman Samuel Wharry said: “Thanks to Chris’ instrumental input, the industry now benefits from a world-leading knowledge exchange platform.

"Its success is largely down to Chris’ ability to communicate with sheep farmers and an enthusiasm and drive which will leave a legacy for years to come. Chris has done a fantastic job for sheep farmers and I’ve no doubt he’ll continue to do so.”

Although Mr Lloyd grew up in Essex, outwith farming, he became interested in agriculture at a young age, and worked on a number of farm enterprises and went to study agriculture at Writtle College, Chelmsford.

He graduated in 1987 and took a job with NSA that saw him spend 16 years there, working alongside office holders, committees, breed societies, industry officials and organisations. He was also awarded a Nuffield Scholarship in 1999, which allowed him to study the sheep industries in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, and look at how these impacted the UK market.

In 2004, he joined Eblex, now AHDB Beef and Lamb, and assisted in the establishment and launch of Sheep BRB. As well as his work for AHDB, he runs 100 ewes in Herefordshire.

Having been involved with NSA throughout my career, I appreciate the history and prestige the George Hedley award has in the sheep industry," said Mr Lloyd. "It is an honour to join the list of special individuals recognised, many of whom I have had the privilege to work with while I made my own contribution to this fantastic industry.

"I enjoy using my knowledge of grass roots farming to explain technical information in a language and format to suit different audiences. This has to be the heart of farmer engagement and I am very proud to have been involved in the Better Returns Programme and other activities that have achieved this.”