HEATHER KERR is the winner of this year’s Business Skills Award, which was sponsored by Biocell Agri and supported by SAYFC, and announced at AgriScot today.

Ms Kerr's business management skills and knowledge of agri-business issues impressed the judges on the day to take home a prize of £1000.

The finalists were asked to assess and evaluate a new product that was launched at AgriScot event, before being interviewed by a panel of three judges who decided the overall winner.

Heather, who was one of the finalists from the South region, is currently studying for a degree in Agriculture at SRUC and has recently completed a placement with SAC Consulting. Originally from Maybole in Ayrshire, she works on her family beef and sheep farm in her spare time, helping with the running of 100 suckler cows, a flock of 1900 Blackfaced ewes and a small flock of pedigree Bluefaced Leicester sheep.

The three runners up were: Claire Dyce, a fourth year rural business management student; Hazel Kennedy, the winner of the 2016 Avigen scholarship; and Zac Reilly, an Agriculture graduate from SRUC.

Award winner Heather commented: “It was such a great experience to be part of this award, and I think I speak for all the finalists when I say it’s been really enjoyable! I’m thrilled to have won this year’s award, and it’s great to have such an industry-recognised achievement on my CV.”

Award coordinator Caroline Daniel, of SRUC, added: “Congratulations to all four finalists; it was a tough decision for the judges to make! It’s so inspiring to see young people so passionate about agriculture and developing the future of the sector.

“Heather was a worthy winner of this year’s award. Her past experience combined with the way she has performed throughout the competition gave her the tools needed to impress the judges, and we look forward to following their journey in the future.”