With a career rooted in agriculture, Kate has combined her passions of animal welfare, sustainability and teaching to make an extraordinary impact on her institution and the wider farming community.
In her role leading the ruminant enterprises, Kate oversees dairy, beef and sheep operations, as well as dedicated teaching animals and research trials.
She manages a diverse team, ensuring that welfare, teamwork and innovation remain at the heart of Future Farm’s activities.
Kate’s achievements include:
- Making history in the Gold Cup competition: Under her leadership, Harper Adams became the first university to win the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers’ (RABDF) Gold Cup. This landmark achievement also marked the first all-female team in the award’s history.
- Spearheading cultural change in farm employment practices, introducing fairer working hours, career progression frameworks and professional recognition for technical staff. These reforms have transformed the farm into a model for modern agricultural employment.
- Delivering hundreds of hours of hands-on training to students each year alongside her team, in areas ranging from vetinary routines to animal husbandry.
- Outreach: Kate welcomes school children, visitors and international students to Future Farm. Her joy in sharing knowledge and inspiring the next generation shines through, whether she is answering curious questions from primary school children or mentoring young agricultural professionals.
Kate describes being shortlisted as an honour that reflects not only her own journey but the essential contribution of technicians across agriculture. As she notes, technicians often work behind the scenes, but they are pivotal in advancing research, improving welfare and supporting teaching.
Meet the other nominees for this year’s Outstanding Technician of the Year Award:
- Jiteen Ahmed, Aston University
- Helena Brown, University of Leeds
- Phil Chaplain, Robert Gordon University
- Dr Alex Laude, Newcastle University
- Linda Lightley, Northumbria University
- John Nicolson, University of Cambridge
- Joe Rees-Jones, University of York
Winners will be announced on 13 November at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.
