Communications expert and agricultural journalist Tim Price has won the 2022 Netherthorpe Communicator of the Year Award.
The British Guild of Agricultural Journalists’ most 
prestigious award, it is presented annually to a Guild member who has made an outstanding and sustained contribution to agricultural communications.
Judged from nominations made by members of the Guild, it is awarded to someone who has contributed to the sharing of knowledge and understanding about agriculture in it’s widest sense.
Tim was deemed a worthy winner of the award thanks to a career spent ensuring national coverage of issues affecting the countryside and acting as an ambassador for rural communities and agriculture.
Having grown up with dreams of being a farmer but with no opportunities to farm, Tim became a trainee journalist on the Craven Herald in rural Yorkshire.
Concentrating on agricultural reporting, he took up a post at the Yorkshire Post, before moving to London to work on the technical desks of British Farmer and Stockbreeder, and then Big Farm Weekly.
When agrochemical advertising began to dry up, threatening the future of controlled circulation farming publications, he moved into public relations taking up a role as Media Relations Executive for NFU Mutual.
Adding spice to insurance
Back in 1985, there was little understanding about what the company did and insurance was viewed by the media as a very dry subject. But Tim worked closely with management to engage with communications and demonstrate the human side of the company.
Always able to spot a great story, he realised the wealth of compelling stories and data available from NFU Mutual’s Claims Department and quickly caught their imagination and encouraged them to work with the media.
He worked on major weather events and also was the driving force behind the company’s first Rural Crime report which is now a major campaign and established NFU Mutual as experts on the topic.
With a career spanning more than 30 years, Tim recently set up Pricewrite Communications, providing PR consultancy and freelance writing from rural Devon.
He continues to be an active and supportive member of the Guild, serving as both a council member and director for several years.
Tim said having his named called out as the Netherthorpe winner was a huge surprise
“It’s an honour to have my name on the trophy among so many great names of agricultural communications.
“Being part of the Guild has helped me at every stage of my career; from reporting, through PR at NFU Mutual and now with my own consultancy, Pricewrite,” he added.
“I’ve leant new skills on training courses, benefited from the support and expertise of fellow members, and gained a better understanding of global agriculture attending IFAJ congresses.”
