SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½

George makes history - scooping two national Student of the Year titles

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Winner George Elliot with senior tutor Dr Russell Readman, left, and his dissertation supervisor, David White.

Harper Adams alumnus George Elliot has secured a landmark double victory – winning Agricultural Student of the Year last night, just two weeks after securing the same title in the Farmers Weekly Awards.

It is the first time anyone has won both titles in the same year.

Speaking to BBC Radio Shropshire this morning, George, 25, from Ashbourne, Derbyshire, said everything happened so quickly when he won last night that his success was only just starting to sink in.

“I was nominated by my dissertation tutor at Harper Adams, and then they asked me to apply from that. You think you will never win, but I gave it a go.

“Having won the Farmers Weekly award a couple of weeks ago, I thought there was no way I would win both. But I did!” George told presenter Adams Green.

“It was fantastic to be a part of the awards night and a really surreal moment when I won.”

Career

George told listeners about his career journey. “I never wanted to do anything other than work in agriculture. It’s my absolute passion in life. I never doubted that this was what I wanted to do.”

But George didn’t leap into his studies. He spent a few years working on farms after leaving school, then decided at 21 to go to Harper Adams.

“My degree has opened up my world. It has enabled me to think about things differently: to see things in a different light and to take on other people’s points of view. I have been exposed to the cutting edge and the new technologies that are going to be available in the industry.  

“Now I want to be involved in precision agriculture. My big passion is farm machinery. I did my university placement year with JCB I have now returned as a sales engineer since I graduated. Precision farming is where it’s going: the industry is going to use data more to be more efficient and more productive, and I think there will be loads of opportunity within that.

Speaking later, George added: "It is an honour and a privilege to receive both awards. I could not think of a better way to end four great years at Harper!"

Announcing George as the winner, the BFA judges wrote: “George’s determination and passion for agriculture are clear, shown by his return to studies, active involvement with Young Farmers, and hands-on farm work. His hard work has already earned him his dream job at JCB, and his ambition promises a bright future in the industry.”

Dr Russell Readman, Agriculture senior tutor at Harper Adams, said: “It is excellent to see a Harper Adams Agric secure the double – Farmers Weekly and BFA Agricultural Student of the Year. George was an excellent student and is a worthy winner. He is a real credit to Harper Agrics. It has been a privilege to have known him and to have taught him.”

Several of George’s tutors and others from the university took to social media last night and this morning to congratulate him,

Ambassador

Harper Adams Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ken Sloan, said: “Congratulations to George and to everyone who has been recognised at this year’s awards. George is an ambassador for Harper Adams for agriculture and his family and his institution are rightly proud.”

The University has also welcomed the presentation of the Outstanding Contribution to British Agriculture Award to Jeremy Moody, Secretary and Advisor at the CAAV - Central Association of Agricultural Valuers, who holds a Harper Adams Honorary Doctorate.

Dr Mark Simcock, Course Manager for Land and Property Management degrees, said: “Having seen Jeremy working close up it is an award that is so richly deserved.”

Dr Simcock added: It was also fantastic to see SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ graduate George Elliott pick up the Agricultural Student of the Year award and Megan Dowson, from The Darlington Farmers Auction Mart Company Limited, who is also currently studying on our Livestock Market Operations and Management course, pick up the award for New Auctioneer of the Year.

“A great night for them all, congratulations to all three of you and we look forward to continuing the conversation with you at SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½.”

Professor Sloan commended the Harper Adams team, who were shortlisted in the Women in Agriculture Award and added: “I am sure in the nominees across the categories there will also be other Harper Alumni, partners, and connections to the School of Sustainable Food and Farming at SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½. Congratulations to all.”

Kate Robinson, Future Farm Ruminant Sector Manager, said: “It was a fantastic night celebrating the achievements of British farming at the British Farming Awards in Birmingham. We were honoured to be shortlisted for the Women in Agriculture Award. Congratulations to Baroness Kate Rock for winning; she is a brilliant advocate for women in farming. A special shout out to Harper student George Elliot for being named Student of the Year.

"We remain committed to being role models for women and girls in our remarkable industry. It was inspiring to see so many women recognised across various categories at the BFA 2025, truly a moment of levelling up.”