UK Fruit & Vegetable Awards Logo

The UK Fruit & Vegetable Awards 2016 is now open for entries and it has never been simpler to take part! To be in with a chance of winning one of these prestigious, reader-voted awards, head over towww.fpj.co.uk/awardsand follow the instructions to enter.

The clock is ticking to take part, so make sure you get your entries submitted in good time.

Counting down the 2016 categories, we take a look at the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Category: The Lifetime Achievement Award

Recognising the outstanding individuals who have put in decades of work making the fresh produce trade a better place.

2015 Winner: Clive Goatham

Clive Goatham

Clive Goatham has seen incredible change in the business set up by his parents in 1947 and industry during his lifetime.

Clive says: “During the past 50 years I have worked on principles that were passed on to me via my father and mother in working within my humble family business.During the most recent years I have worked with those same principles of trust, honesty, transparency and partnership with our partners. Working in conjunction with them we have achieved a first in top-fruit supply and production, namely the creation of a Cost of Goods model for the direct benefit of the retailer, ourselves, our partner growers and ultimately our customers, not just for today but for the future”.

Many of Clive’s earliest memories are helping his parents to pick and pack fruit and from the age of five, he knew he wanted to follow them into the business.

In the last 25 years under Clive’s leadership, the business has really grown, from two farms to 15 farms with 1,750 acres and 20 partner farms and 1,850 acres.

One in 4.5 British apples and one in three Conference pears sold in the UK is grown by the business, which uses new technology in cold storage, orchard management and sustainable farming methods. This winter, new orchards totalling 268,500 trees will be planted, including the largest new conference pear orchard for nearly 40 years.

Construction work begins shortly on a £9 million scheme to double the capacity for cold storage and fruit packing.

Clive holds strong values in delivering the best quality produce and being a top grower. He is a leader and innovator in the industry, inspirational to many people and has built a family business for future generations.