Business Awards 2010

27 July 2010

Category: Estate Management

Winners of The Crown Estate's Rural Business Award 2010....

This year's Rural Business award has been won by tenants on the Smiths Gore managed Fochabers Estate.

Frank and Wilson Thomson have both farmed at Burnside of Tynet and latterly Buinnach since taking on the tenancy from their father in the 1980s. The farm currently extends to 2,287 acres and the core business consists of arable and beef production.

In fact, the Thomson family have farmed at Burnside since the 1800s - this is thought to be the longest unbroken tenancy on the Crown Estate.

The award is designed to recognise excellence in business performance, innovation, environmental care and sustainability.

The Thomson brothers were nominated by Smiths Gore. Rachel Bromby of Smiths Gore's Fochabers office says: "Frank and Wilson have continued to operate a family farming business and through their entrepreneurial spirit have ensured that the business is viable through times of volatile commodity prices."

The awards were judged by Board Members of the Crown Estate. It was felt by the judges that the Frank and Wilson Thomson were deserving of this particular award because of their contribution to the local community through educational activities, a willingness to embrace environmental sustainability and diversification into agricultural contracting to ensure survival of the family farm.

For further information please contact Rachel Bromby in the Fochabers office on 01343 823 000 or e-mail rachel.bromby@smithsgore.co.uk