Christine Jackson

Innovative marketing - free-range eggs

2007 Nuffield Scholar - CHRISTINE JACKSON - studied ‘Developing and marketing the freerange sector within the UK and Europe'

Sunny Hill Eggs, Northumberland, was launched in 2005 in
response to changing agricultural fortunes and a desire to get even closer to the consumer. A new family venture, we began our freeegg enterprise with limited knowledge about the business or the industry. We were facing a very steep learning curve. Thanks to my Nuffield Scholarship, that curve has been shortened considerably.

Providing me with the opportunity to travel and study extensively, through my Scholarship I have been able to meet experienced and innovative egg producers around the world, and further increase my knowledge of the egg business. It has been hugely valuable in the successful growth of Sunny Hill Eggs.

Having travelled to many different countries - including USA, Australia and New Zeland - I believe that the UK industry is one of the world's leaders. However, I believe it is vital that we focus on increasing egg consumption; this can be achieved successfully through innovative marketing strategies and positive branding programmes.

Further development of the free-range egg production system - for example, through multi-tier systems - will also be required.

"The decision to apply for and undertake a Nuffield Scholarship has been one of the most rewarding I have made. It has also been hugely valuable in the growth of our business."