Rural Policy Group Receives Prestigious Gold Stevie Award for Exceptional Leadership in Rural Policy Advocacy
RPG honoured with Maverick of the Year award
Mark Lumsdon-Taylor, a leader and visionary in the field of rural policy, has been honored with the prestigious Gold Stevie Award for ‘Maverick of the Year’ at the 20th Annual International Business Awards held in Rome on Friday, October 14, 2023. This award is a testament to the remarkable contributions of the Rural Policy Group (RPG) founded by Lumsdon-Taylor in 2019. The Stevie Awards, globally renowned for their recognition of excellence, annually commemorate the accomplishments of exceptional individuals and organisations in the international business arena.
This notable recognition highlights Mark Lumsdon-Taylor’s remarkable achievements and the outstanding contributions to the field of sustainable food policy and beyond made by RPG. He has received this award for his exceptional ‘beyond bold; disruptive thinking’ as the Chair of an independent, action-driven think tank that has consistently represented and driven value within the UK’s food, farming, and environmental sectors. The accolade stands as a testament to the transformative work carried out by RPG under his leadership.
Mark Lumsdon-Taylor’s journey with the Rural Policy Group has been marked by extraordinary achievements, bringing about tangible improvements in rural areas, particularly in agriculture, food, farming and environmental policy.
RPG is improving dialogue in sustainable food policy
His leadership, together with that of RPG’s Executive Director Katie Tucker, has led to a closer dialogue between business, policy-makers, academia and science and resulted in the creation and implementation of effective policies that address the unique challenges faced by Britain’s agriculture, food and farming businesses.
Under their guidance, the Rural Policy Group has achieved significant milestones, including:
- The publication of the annual Sustainable Food Report to share the voice of business with those in Parliament.
- The RED Talk series of rural economic development webinars which have been attended by over 1000 organisations worldwide.
- The creation of an interest group of MPs and Lords to champion fair food pricing and fair value in the food supply chain.
Mark Lumsdon-Taylor’s ability to foster partnerships and build partnerships with government, non-profits, and the private sector has been instrumental in driving positive change in rural policy. His unwavering commitment to inclusivity and sustainability has made him an influencer for leaders and policy advocates both nationally and globally.
The Rural Policy Group has been supported since its inception by Founding Partner MHA, an independent member of Baker Tilly International and provider of audit, tax, consulting and advisory services. More recently RPG has been joined in partnership by The Institute of Directors (IoD). Both organisations have been instrumental in supporting the growth of the policy group and bringing about change in food and rural business policy.
RPG Founder Mark Lumsdon-Taylor accepts Stevie Award for the group
Upon receiving the Gold Stevie Award, Mark Lumsdon-Taylor expressed his gratitude, stating, “This award is a testament to the dedication and passion of the entire Rural Policy Group. Our work is driven by a collective commitment to enhancing the financial and environmental sustainability of our food system, and I am honored to share this recognition with our incredible team”.
The judges for the Stevie Awards gave exceptional feedback, praising rural Policy Group’s “impactful contributions to the rural community and beyond” and the “creation of collaboration on agriculture and food farming among the various stakeholders in the UK”.
The Gold Stevie Award for Rural Policy Group acknowledges the profound impact it has made in advancing food policy and underscores the importance of its work in shaping the future of farming and agriculture in the UK. It serves as a reminder of the significance of agriculture in the broader context of social and economic progress.