The 2025 British Crop Production Council Award, celebrating outstanding service to the crop production industry, has been presented to Pamela Chambers and Keith Norman.

The awards were given at this year’s BCPC Congress event in Harrogate. Advisory board member, Jim Orson, says both recipients are recognised for their exceptional contributions to agronomy, agri-tech and crop production, both in the UK and internationally.

“Across their distinguished careers, Pamela and Keith have shared their considerable experience, knowledge and dedication to our sector, and continue to do so.”

Pamela Chambers

One of the UK’s first female arable advisers, Pamela began her career at ADAS, co-authoring research on nitrate loss and contributing to BBC Lincolnshire’s farming programme. On moving to New Zealand for three years she revolutionised the approach to agronomic advice in the country and helped a farmer client to achieve a world wheat yield record.

Back in the UK, Pamela joined Farmacy, and was one of the first to identify verticillium wilt in OSR, later working at Broom’s Barn Research Centre, leading knowledge transfer and weed research.

At UPL, she became the company’s first UK technical manager and advised globally on beet products. Now at British Sugar, Pamela leads weed control strategies and represents the UK in international beet research groups.

A BASIS Diploma holder, she supports agronomist training and co-founded the Ladies in Beet group, promoting knowledge-sharing in the beet sector. Her career reflects a deep commitment to innovation and industry advancement.

Keith Norman

With a career spanning 45 years, Keith began in farm management before becoming technical director at Velcourt, where he led research and knowledge transfer initiatives that transformed integrated crop management.

His work in seed, nutrition, agrochemicals, and precision farming helped drive profitability and sustainability across the sector. Notably, Velcourt’s demonstration plots at the RASE Cereals Event became a benchmark for technology transfer.

In 2013, he was named Farm Adviser of the Year by Farmers Weekly. Since 2018, Keith has run his own consultancy, contributing to projects across Europe and holding key roles in Defra, AHDB, BBSRC, and the John Innes Institute. His legacy reflects a deep commitment to innovation, education, and industry advancement.

The award

The BCPC Award is presented to individuals who’ve made outstanding contributions in one or more of the areas of scientific advance, technology innovation, advisory and extension, education and training and regulatory affairs, and are selected by the BCPC Advisory Board.