Daniel Roberts
I am 35 years old and live in Oxfordshire with my wife Gemma and my three daughters Molly, Madilyn and Betsy. Although not from a farming background I knew from an early age that agriculture would be my chosen profession. After leaving school I spent a year at Moulton College studying agriculture before joining Faccenda Foods in 2001 to begin my career in the broiler sector of the UK poultry industry. In 2006 I moved to Staffordshire and spent six years working for Wootton Organic growing a variety of poultry before returning to Faccenda Foods in 2012, yes they had me back!
To progress I had to challenge myself and this came in the form of my current role as Area Manager for a group of company owned broiler farms. The area I am responsible for encompasses 4 million broiler chickens and over 40 employees. I have recently completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Poultry Business Management at Harper Adams and an Institute of Leadership Management Course.
Outside of work I do my best to keep fit; this included a 500 mile charity bike ride in June alongside a group of budding cyclists from the UK poultry industry. I enjoy playing and watching rugby and of course spending time with my family. I also volunteer for a charity called Contact the Elderly, an invaluable outreach for older people.
I am delighted to be sponsored by The Worshipful Company of Farmers and Savills with The Poultry Group: Aviagen, Cobb Europe and Hubbard. I would also like to thank everyone at Faccenda Foods for their continued support.
The Poultry Meat Group
Worshipful Company of Farmers
Study Overview
The seed was planted in my mind about applying for a Nuffield Scholarship after attending a conference during which I spoke to previous Nuffield Scholars from the poultry industry. The conference included a presentation on Avian Influenza and how a particular outbreak in the UK affected individuals, businesses and the poultry industry as a whole.
I plan to travel to the USA and France, two countries that have experienced large scale Avian Influenza outbreaks in recent years. I also intend to visit Avian Influenza experts in Europe and Asia. The aim of my travels will be to study how the threat Avian Influenza, a global issue, is perceived around the world and what techniques we can employ and develop to reduce the risk of future outbreaks.
I am truly thankful to the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust and my sponsors The Worshipful Company of Farmers and Savills with The Poultry Group: Aviagen, Cobb Europe and Hubbard for giving me this opportunity of a life time.