Richard and Rosslyn from Keith & Turriff and Graham and Jonathan from Dingwall & Thurso named winners of NFUS 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 Keith & Turriff and Dingwall & Thurso teams of Richard Thompson and Rosslyn Reid and Graham Laing and Jonathan Hogg, respectively.

Both agencies recruited 32 new members and finished the year at 101 percent of their targeted subscription income set for the year.

NFUS Chief Executive, Scott Walker, said: “This year a lot of our group secretaries performed incredibly well, however, there were two agencies who were ahead of the rest. Richard Thompson and Rosslyn Reid from Keith & Turriff and Graham Laing and Jonathan Hogg from Dingwall & Thurso together recruited 64 members and finished the year ahead of subscription target. A magnificent achievement in very difficult times.”

“There are three criteria that are used to determine the Flame Award: member engagement, recruitment, and achievement of subscription income target. Both agencies work tirelessly for their members, recruited 32 new members, and finished the year at 101 percent of their target.”

“There was therefore nothing to split the performance of these agencies and so this year it was decided the Flame Award, for the first time ever, would be shared. Richard, Rosslyn, Graham, and Jonathan have all done a marvellous job and are deserved winners. I congratulate them all for their performances.”

Lorna Paterson, North East Regional Manager, commented: “I am so pleased for Richard and Rosslyn, and indeed their staff. The Keith and Turriff offices are doing a fantastic job in engaging with NFU Scotland members in the North East and receiving this joint award in recognition of their efforts is well deserved. I would also like to extend my congratulations to Graham and Johnny.”

Ian Wilson, Highlands Regional Manager, added: “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Graham and Johnny on their achievement in being joint winners of the NFUS Flame Award. This win has come on the back of some exceptional recruitment figures within the Ross-shire branch along with solid performances from Sutherland and Caithness branches too. This win is made even more stunning given the challenges of working through Covid-19 restrictions, and also the fact that Graham and Johnny’s business has been an agent down for the last year. I look forward to helping them build on this performance going forward.”

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 goodbye to Kenny Slater from the Kirkwall office and Wilma Benson from the Stranraer office after 23 and 22 years in service on behalf of NFU Scotland, respectively.

It is hugely encouraging that the service to members will continue with Sean Mochan (Forfar), John Laughton (Kirkwall), Marlene Bews (Westray), Sarah Law (Keith & Turriff), Rosslyn Reid (Keith & Turriff), and Leona Jackson (Newton St. Boswells) all joining our group secretary network.

Notes to Editors

• The winners of the 2021 Membership Flame Award, first presented by former NFU Scotland President Jim McLaren, are Richard Thompson, Rosslyn Reid, Jonathan Hogg, and Graham Laing.
• A picture of Richard Thompson and Rosslyn Reid from the Keith and Turriff offices is attached.
  

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Contact Ruth Oxborrow on 07823 556253