Driffield MD shortlisted for two Women in Agriculture Awards 

The team at an East Yorkshire poultry business is celebrating after reaching the final of two national farming awards.

Middleton on the Wolds-based Clive Soanes Broilers has been shortlisted in the Business of the Year category in the inaugural National Women in Agriculture Awards and MD Claire Wright has reached the final in the Farming Woman of the Year category. The awardsrecognise and celebrate female talent in agriculture, from production, stockmanship, innovation and sustainability.

Ben Lee, MD of Soanes Poultry, Clive Soanes Broilers' sister company, is delighted with the news: "The farms team works tirelessly to rear chicken to award-winning standards for us to sell to butchers, wholesalers, and restaurants nationwide, and these places in the final are richly deserved.

"The broilers business has gone from strength to strength since Claire was promoted to MD in 2021 and she is a worthy finalist."

Clive Soanes Broilers faces competition from fellow finalists Noble Foods and Pinstone for the Business of the Year Award, and Mrs Wright is up against Abi Reader from E. Reader and Sons andSarah Bell from Scott and Scott for the title of Farming Woman of the Year 2024 that is sponsored by Nestlé.

The winners will be announced at a black-tie event in themembers' dining room of the House of Commons on 9th May. This prestigious venue has been chosen to reflect and celebrate the valuable work women in agriculture do.

The judging panel is being chaired by Chloe Ryan, a food and farming journalist. "The response to these awards has been amazing, with over 200 women nominated. Whittling the entries down to the finalists has been incredibly difficult because so many brilliant women are making such a difference day in and day out to the industry. I have been moved by the stories of so many of those who have been nominated, and anyone on the shortlist has already made a significant achievement. I can't wait to celebrate in May with all the winners." 

Named after the son of the founder of Soanes Poultry, Clive Soanes Broilers has been rearing chicken for Soanes Poultry since 1947. Clive Soanesgrew the business from the 1950s until his retirement in the 1990s.Soanes Poultry sells chicken to butchers and independent retailers throughout Yorkshire and to wholesalers, catering butchers and restaurants nationwide.

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PhotoClive Soanes Broilers MD, Claire Wright Claire Wright Photo: Jim Varney 

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Notes to editors

1.      For more information aboutSoanes Poultry, please visitwww.soanespoultry.co.uk.

2.      For more information about the National Women in Agriculture Awards, please visit

https://www.nationalwomeninagriculture.co.uk/2024-shortlist/