Entrepreneur Kate Mason, who runs a beef, sheep and arable farm with her family in Aylesbury, was named Training and Education Woman of the Year at the National Women in Agriculture Awards in May.
Kate, a Buckinghamshire NFU member, said she was delighted to be recognised by the awards for her work expanding Vale Training Services into a major rural training provider.
Vale Training Services Ltd is an established Buckinghamshire-based company providing practical, accredited training in plant machinery, chainsaw operation, health and safety, and first aid.
Over her career, Kate has supported more than 40,000 learners and improved access to agricultural skills and education.
“The thing that has always driven me is seeing somebody who has had no qualifications end up with something at the end of training that can help them on the next chapter of their life.”
NFU member and Training and Education Woman of the Year Kate Mason
‘Almost in tears’
The National Women in Agriculture Awards, in their third year, honour ‘trailblazing, innovating, and leading women’ working across the UK’s agri-sectors shining a spotlight on female achievement.
She said: “I’m really flattered to receive this award. It was quite a shock to find out I had been shortlisted and an even bigger shock to then win because there were so many people nominated who I felt were more eligible.
“Our category was one of the last ones to be announced on the night of the ceremony and I was almost in tears when they read out my name, I was quite overwhelmed.
“The thing that has always driven me is seeing somebody who has had no qualifications end up with something at the end of training that can help them on the next chapter of their life, I think that’s amazing.”
Driving factor
Kate said that the driving factor has always been to improve the industry – to see the industry have the qualifications needed and the delegates have what they needed.
“We see pretty much everybody who goes through our training on a personal basis and its really special to be a part of that,” she said.
“It does make a difference to the industry because the agricultural colleges can’t always give them the practical skills that are necessary to help them when they come out of college.
“It was a great honour to receive the award and I am very flattered by the accolade.”
Kate started working for her local agricultural training board group almost 40 years ago and diversified her farm back in 2009 with her husband Tim when they started offering training as a limited company.
The award ceremony was held at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, in London, and 13 trophies were awarded across all categories to shine a spotlight on female achievement.
