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Harper Adams students make 2023 Pinnacle Award final shortlist

Posted 20 April 2023

A prestigious national competition assessing students’ excellence in business management once again features two Harper Adams students in its final shortlist.

The 25th annual Farmers Club Pinnacle Awards will be held on Friday, May 3 in London and this year Harper Adams students Anna Frick and Tim Cotterill, both studying BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Farm Business Management, have been named as among its eight finalists.

Anna and Tim were each shortlisted for the awards after impressing judges with their farm diversification plans – and both will now make their way to the awards, held at the Club in central London, next month.

Here, they will present their proposals and be questioned by a panel of industry experts from the Farmers Club, ADAS, and The Cave Foundation, before the award winners are announced at a formal dinner later in the day.

The overall winner receives the Nickerson Cup and the Farmers Club Gold Student Pinnacle Award of £2000, while the Silver winner receives £1000 and the Bronze winner £600.

Senior Lecturer Tony Asson will be accompanying the shortlisted students on the day, and has welcomed their success.

He said: “The farm management team at Harper are delighted with Anna and Tim making it to the finals of the 2023 Pinnacle Awards.

“This prestigious national competition gives our students the chance to pitch their ideas and business plans against other universities and colleges and under the scrutiny of a panel of high-profile judges.

“We wish them the best of luck in London.”

Tim’s shortlisted report was a business diversification plan for his family’s North Warwickshire farm.

He said: “The plan outlines the opportunity for the farm to diversify into secure dog walking fields to generate an additional source of revenue and consists of extensive market research with a competitor analysis, detailed budgeting, and a marketing strategy, as well as a clear pay-back period on the initial investment. 

“I am delighted that I have been selected as finalist at this year's Pinnacle Awards.  I see this as a great opportunity to not only represent Harper at such a prestigious academic fixture, but also to enhance my own personal and professional development, and no doubt grow my network of experts within farm business management.”

Meanwhile Anna – originally from Lincolnshire – put forward proposals for exercise facilities on a client’s farm as her entry.

She said: “I worked very hard to create and write my diversification project for my client, involving the proposed idea of an outdoor farm gym, and I was very fortunate to have been nominated by my lecturer.

“It was an honour to hear that my work had been shortlisted for the Pinnacle award as it is such a prestigious award!”

Both Tim and Anna are completing their final year of studies at Harper Adams, and both have praised the experience of studying at the University.

Anna said: “Studying at Harper Adams has been an incredible experience, I have learnt so much and am very grateful for all of the opportunities along my journey.

“The community that Harper has is unique, and it has been a pleasure to be a part of it.”

And Tim added: “Harper Adams has without doubt provided me with the ultimate university experience that any aspiring agriculturalist could wish for.  

“If it wasn't for my placement year out in industry, as well as the outstanding quality of teaching throughout my degree, I would not have developed the necessary knowledge and skill set to be shortlisted at the Pinnacle Awards. Thank you, Harper!”