An economist from Canterbury has been rewarded for his "outstanding loyalty and service" by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA).

The CLA represents rural businesses across England Wales.

Professor Allan Buckwell sits on its Kent branch and national policy committees

He was among three members recognised after winning the CLA's President's Award for 2020.

CLA president Mark Bridgeman, who judged the awards for the first time, said: “Our members work extremely hard to champion, protect and enhance the rural economy, and the President’s Award is a great way of showing our appreciation to those who go the extra mile.

“This year’s winners have shown tremendous dedication to the CLA over the years and deserve this recognition.

“They are all worthy winners."

Professor Buckwell said: “I’ve felt that my job, as an ex-academic, non-landowning economist, has been to help the organisation see itself, as others do, from the outside and to understand arguments which will carry weight and those which are empty.

“It has been stimulating working on a range of rural issues within the CLA, learning from the members. There is no issue concerning the rural economy for which there is not a CLA member who is a well-read and experienced expert.

“It has been an intellectually and socially rewarding experience and I’m truly honoured to be named a winner for this award.”

He is a former professor of agricultural economics at Wye College, University of London and was briefly seconded to the European Commission’s Directorate General for Agriculture, working on the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy.

Professor Buckwell also worked for the CLA as policy director until 2012, was chairman of the CLA’s Kent branch from 2015 to 2018 and remains a committee member. His specialist subjects include CAP reform and EU rural development policy, agri-environment policy and land management.

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