Each year, thousands of Lantra training courses are delivered across the UK and Ireland by a network of dedicated qualified instructors. From sharing knowledge on safety when using all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), teaching people how to safely handle power machinery, to teaching people about controlling pests.
Lantra’s Instructors and Providers are key to ensuring that the land-based and environment sector is equipped to work safely, productively, and sustainably. Each year, Lantra hosts an awards event to celebrate the contributions our instructors make to each person’s career, and promotion of life-long learning.
This year’s awards event was hosted at Stareton Hall, part of the National Agricultural Exhibition Centre, at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire. The morning saw updates from Lantra, including from the Director of Commercial, and Head of Product. Instructors also had the chance to have informal chats with Lantra staff as well as networking with the Sponsors of the event.
The daylong event concluded with an Awards Ceremony which celebrated the commitment and dedication of Instructors to their respective industries. Nominations are voted upon by Lantra’s Training Providers. The following people were announced as winners of their respective categories:
- Instructor of the Year for 4x4 & ATV – Tony Howland
- Instructor of the Year for Tractors – Roger Madge
- Instructor of the Year for Lift Trucks – Adrian Baugh
- Instructor of the Year for Aerial Arb – Andy Campbell
- Instructor of the Year for Ground based Chainsaw – Chris Smith
- Instructor of the Year for Tree Inspection – Simon Scotting
- Instructor of the Year for Landscape Tools including Mowers – James Davies
- Instructor of the Year for Pesticides – David Whyte
- Instructor of the Year for Pest Control – Richard Hammond
- Instructor of the Year for Health and Safety – Phill Allwood
- Instructor of the Year for Utility Arb – James Archer
- Instructor of the Year for Plant and Machinery – Morlais Jones
The following Awards were decided upon by Lantra Staff:
- Best Newcomer – Lynn Strachan
- Most Skills Delivered – Robert Fletcher
- Outstanding Achievement – Alan Stephens
Commenting on the Awards, Mandy Maynard, Head of Industry for Forestry and Arboriculture, said: “The Instructor Awards give Lantra the opportunity to say thank you to our instructors for their tireless efforts they give each year. The event is also an opportunity to recognise the excellence within the instructor network.”
Stephen Roberts, Head of Instructor Network, added: “Our Instructors are a true credit to Lantra. Their passion and dedication is impressive, and the Instructor Awards allows us to recognise this. We’re always
looking to grow our team of freelance instructors, so if this is something for you, please do get in touch!”
The Instructor Awards wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Sponsors, including Outwear UK, Aspen Fuels, Native Arb, EGO, Gustharts, and Cooper Pegler, Tenstar, Harper Adams, and Chandlers Farm Equipment.
Information about the 2025 Instructor Awards will be shared in due course. Well done again to all winners at the 2024 Awards!