Jonathan Hogg and Graham Laing named recipients of NFU Scotland’s Flame Award.
The Membership Flame – an NFU Scotland award that recognises outstanding efforts in recruitment and retention of members - has gone to the hard-working Graham Laing and Jonathan Hogg from the Dingwall and Thurso offices.
They ended the year surpassing their targeted subscription income set for 2022 and excelling in all the competition criteria to beat stiff competition from other agencies across the country.
It marks a second consecutive year of success for the pair. Last year Jonathan and Graham were named joint winners of the 2021 Flame Award having been tied in all areas of performance with the Keith and Turriff office.
Looking after the interests of 575 members across three branches – Inverness West & Ross, Caithness and Sutherland – Jonathan and Graham are two of the busiest group secretaries, now being ably assisted by Lynn Sinclair. The Dingwall & Thurso agencies finished 2022 having recruited 32 new members surpassing their subscription target set for the year.
Presenting the award at the Union’s annual conference and AGM in Glasgow, NFU Scotland President, Martin Kennedy said: “Determining the winners of the 2022 Membership Flame Award was not an easy task.
“There are three criteria that are used to determine recipients of the Flame Award each year - member engagement, recruitment, and achievement of subscription income target and it is clear that this agency has worked tirelessly for their members. They recruited 32 members this year and finished the year ahead of target. Jonathan and Graham have done a marvellous job and are deserved winners. I congratulate them for their superb performance.”
Ian Wilson, Highland Regional Manager, added: “This is a great achievement for Jonathan and Graham who have sustained a very impressive recruitment drive and service throughout some of the most challenging years for farmers and crofters. It’s a boost and credit to them to be sole recipients of this highly sought after award after sharing the award last year.
“After not being presented immediately with the award last year due to the last minute change to an online only event, it’s great that Jonathan is able to collect the award on the pair’s behalf and rightly be applauded by many of the Union’s members gathered here in Glasgow. Congratulations.”
The Union’s unique local secretary network – which works on behalf of both NFU Scotland and NFU Mutual - continues to provide an excellent service to members around Scotland. It also generates great loyalty. In the past year, the Union has said good-bye to Susan Lamont who retired from her part time post in Tiree after 24.5 years, and celebrated Murray White’s long service of 40 years at the Elgin office. Susan Lamont’s post has now been filled by Morven Macarthur who becomes the latest in new recruits who have joined the group secretary network during 2022 – Leona Jackson (St Boswells), Sarah Law (Keith/Turriff), Douglas Schreiber (Lothians), Michael Goldie (Ayr/Stranraer), Lucy Little (Elgin) and Andrew Mackle (Laurencekirk).
Notes to Editors
- The winners of the 2022 Membership Flame Award, first presented by former NFU Scotland President Jim McLaren, are Graham Laing and Jonathan Hogg. A picture of Jonathan Hogg receiving the Flame Award from NFU Mutual Chair Jim McLaren and NFU Scotland President Martin Kennedy is attached.
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Contact Diana McGowan on 07920 018619