Bishop Burton College apprentice voted best in country

Ashton Davis, who trains at Bishop Burton College, was awarded Best Apprentice Showing Management Potential in a Manufacturing Environment, at the National Institute of Meat (IoM) and Worshipful Company of Butchers Annual Prizegiving.

The college was also named Best Training Provider at the ceremony, which took place at Butchers’ Hall in London on February 26.

Mr Davis, who is completing his apprenticeship at Cranswick Country Foods plc, was selected from a field of apprentices across the UK.

Paul Nicholson, butchery tutor at Bishop Burton College, said: “We are incredibly proud to see Ashton recognised on a national stage.

“This award is a testament to his dedication, but it also speaks to the quality of our training for the butchery apprenticeship here at Bishop Burton College.

“We strive to provide our apprentices with the skills required to thrive in a modern industry, and seeing our students stand among the best in the country at Butchers’ Hall is the ultimate reward.”

Mr Davis received a £250 prize and a year’s honorary membership of the Institute of Meat.

Bishop Burton College was also named the Best Training Provider (Image: Bishop Burton College)

Both Mr Davis and Mr Nicholson were presented with a certificate of achievement by IoM chief executive Dave Smith and Gwyn Howells, Master of the Worshipful Company of Butchers.

Mr Smith said: “Huge congratulations to Ashton Davis and also of course to Bishop Burton College and Cranswick Country Foods plc. achieving this award has meant an exceptional amount of hard work and dedication from all three.

“It’s fantastic to be celebrating today with our biggest ever audience.

“This is proof that there is a real buzz around the meat industry at the moment.

“Ashton is part of a forward thinking, innovative industry.

“With the continued support from his training provider and employer, I am sure Ashton will have a future just as bright as the industry itself.”

The IoM and Worshipful Company of Butchers Annual Prizegiving celebrates the achievements of butchery apprentices, training providers, and employers.

Nominations are vetted by a panel of industry experts, with only 12 categories awarded nationwide.

The event also marks the announcement of the next cohort of IoM-accredited Master Butchers.

Enquiries about butchery apprenticeships at Bishop Burton College can be directed to apprenticeshipenquiries@bishopburton.ac.uk.