Graham Ward OBE of Stockbridge Technology Centre has been honoured for his outstanding contribution to industry at the Grower of the Year Awards 2012.
Some 500 professionals from across UK production horticulture attended the event hosted by TV's Andrew Graham Dixon.
Ward's honour comes a month after he received an associateship from the Royal Agricultural Societies (ARAgS).
He was hailed for his 10 years of work leading horticultural knowledge and transferring applied research to growers through the industry-owned Stockbridge Technology Centre.
When he took the stage at London's Lancaster Hotel the crowd took to their feet and gave him a standing ovation.
Guests at the sell-out event saw winners pick up their awards in 17 categories. Winners are listed below.
Grower of the Year - edibles
Winner - Lincolnshire Herbs
Grower of the Year - ornamentals
Winner - Lovania Nurseries
Best New Variety - edibles
Winner - Meiosis
Highly Commended - Worldwide Fruit
Vegetable Grower of the Year
Winner - Lincolnshire Field Products
Highly Commended - QV Foods/Rowe Farming
Finalists - Benzies, Heygate Farms Swaffham, Valefresco, Watts Farms
Top Fruit Grower of the Year
Winner - A.C Goatham and sons
Highly Commended - Newmafruit Farms
Salads Grower of the Year
Winner - Lincolnshire Herbs
Highly Commended - East Coast Growers
Finalist - Stubbins
Soft Fruit Grower of the Year
Winner - Vicarage Nurseries
Highly Commended - AJ Busb and Son
Best New Variety - bedding plants
Winner - 'Petunia Phanom' Ball Colegrave
Highly Commended - Sutton Seeds
Finalist - Ball Colegrave
Best New Variety - Hardy Nursery Stock
Winner - John Woods Nurseries
Highly Commended - The Bransford Webbs Plant Company
Finalist - Hillier Nurseries, Seiont Nurseries
Best New Variety - Herbaceous Perennials
Winner - Hiller Nurseries
Highly Commended - The Bransford Webbs Plant Compnay, Thompson and Morgan Young plants
Protected Ornamentals
Winner - J.A Collinson and Sons
Highly Commended - R.F Lawrence and Sons/Chrysanthemums Direct
Nursery Stock Grower of the Year
Winner - Lovania Nurseries
Highly Commended - Palmstead Nurseries
Finalists - James Coles and Sons, Majestic Trees, Tendercare, Viking Nurseries
Consumer Marketing Campaign of the Year
Winner - Hunt for the nations herb heroes, British Herb Trade Association
Highly Commeneded - Back To Black, Blackcurrant Foundation
Finalists - John Woods Nurseries, Tendercare, The Bransford Webbs Plant Company
Trade Marketing Campaign of the Year
Winner - Ball Colegrave 'Pansy Panola Royal Wedding Mix'
Finalists - Ball Colegrave 'Top up Thursday', Fenmarc Produce 'Rudolph Campaign'
Sales and Marketing Professional of the Year
Winner - Nick Coslett, Palmstead Nurseries
Finalists - Lynn Hunter, James Coles and Sons
Young Grower of the Year
Winner - Matthew Rawson, E.L Rawson and Co
Out Standing Contribution to Industry Award
Winner - Graham Ward, Cheif Executive - Stockbridge Technology Centre
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