University Centre Somerset Agricultural Management student Jacques Luckins has won the silver Farmers Club Pinnacle Award for Excellence in Business Management.

Now in its 29th year, the national competition presents a unique opportunity for students studying and preparing to work in rural and land-based industries to demonstrate their potential. Eight students are shortlisted for the top prizes, submitting a project that shows a range of high-level knowledge and skills.

Jacques’s assignment explored the viability of introducing a beef enterprise to Rodway Farm at Bridgwater & Taunton College’s Cannington campus. The former Kings of Wessex pupil was grilled about his work by a panel of industry experts, before presenting his project in front of a wider audience.

Daniel Rood, Course Leader, said,

We’re delighted that the high quality of our Agriculture students’ work continues to be recognised at national level. Jacques performed incredibly well, achieving second place in a very strong field of graduates from notable universities around the UK. He has recently accepted a nutritionist role with Mole Valley Farmers, and we’re sure he has a very bright future ahead of him.

Jacques, of Ashcott, said,

It’s a great honour to win the Silver Pinnacle Award against some very strong competition. I started studying at BTC when I was 17 and have worked my way up through the course levels to achieve a Bachelor’s degree with UCS. This was a fantastic route for me as I was able to study whilst living and working at home. I couldn’t have achieved this award without the support of my lecturers, especially Richard West and Daniel Rood, who provided me with the platform I needed to produce this project and present it to the Pinnacle Awards panel. The courses that I studied are ideal as they balance practical and theoretical learning brilliantly.

For more information about land-based courses at University Centre Somerset, please contact our Information and Guidance team on 01278 441234 or visit www.somerset.ac.uk