Harper Adams lecturer and former students up for award

One is a lecturer and two are alumni of Harper Adams University in Shropshire.

Among the nominees are Chloe Gimson, who now works for Savills in Oxford and studied BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Farm Business Management at Harper Adams.

Ms Gimson is shortlisted for the Rising Star of the Year category, alongside fellow graduate Isla Soutter.

Louisa Dines, principal lecturer and course manager for agriculture at Harper Adams, is a finalist in the Training and Education Woman of the Year category.

Ms Gimson said: “It is a real honour and I am humbled to have been shortlisted alongside so many talented women within agriculture.

“So much of the work I do, whether it is supporting farmers through my day job, championing British produce or engaging with the public through education and food, comes from a genuine passion for the industry.”

She joined Savills after graduating in 2021 and has since progressed from graduate to associate in the Food & Farming team.

Ms Gimson has remained involved in agriculture outside her day job, serving as chair of the Society of Agriculture Thames Valley Group and as a member of the Ladies in Pigs Committee.

Ms Soutter, who now works for ABP and is based near Ashby de La Zouch, Leicestershire, praised those who inspired her during her studies.

She said: “I’m especially proud to be shortlisted alongside Louisa Dines, who taught and guided me during my time there and contributed so much to my development.”

Since graduating, Ms Soutter has taken on the role of agriculture manager at ABP, working on the company’s gamechanger accounts.

She credits Harper Adams with shaping her career.

Ms Soutter said: “Harper was where everything began for me, opening up opportunities and giving me the space to grow in confidence and determination.”

Ms Dines, who is based at the university’s Edgmond campus, said she was delighted by the recognition.

She said: “It is made even more special by the fact that two of the Rising Star nominations for the awards are recent Harper alumni that I, along with many others at Harper Adams, have taught.

“Watching their journey into a career in Agriculture is what makes this job so rewarding and to see them nominated for an award so early in their careers is just fantastic.”

Both Ms Gimson and Ms Soutter were previously shortlisted for the Agricultural Student of the Year award during their final year at Harper Adams.

The National Women in Agriculture Awards will take place in London in early May.