The Potato Council has honoured Jim Godfrey with a special award in recognition of his outstanding service to the British potato industry.

The presentation was made at a potato industry dinner organised by SCRI to coincide with Potatoes in Practice and the Improving International Potato Production conference in Dundee. Mr Godfrey is a former chairman of the governing board of SCRI.

Potato Council chairman, Allan Stevenson, presented the award and paid tribute on behalf of the British potato industry, to Mr Godfrey's impressive achievements and contributions.

Mr Stevenson told guests at the Branston potato industry dinner: "Jim Godfrey has been an extraordinary and superb ambassador for the British potato industry. His CV says it all - he has travelled far and wide and worked tirelessly to promote the UK potato industry. We all owe him a huge debt for his years of dedicated service and innovation."

Mr Godfrey has for many years been a major player in the potato industry, both as a grower and member of the PMB, SCRI and other bodies. He has also been a member of the farming 'establishment' where his contacts at the political level have ensured a powerful potato voice at high level.

His move into the international field compounds a tremendous career in serving his industry and is acknowledgement of his achievements.

Mr Godfrey, has a degree in agriculture from the University of Reading, he is a director of family farming companies growing a range of arable crops, including potatoes, together with breeding and rearing pigs. He is a former chair of the International Potato Center in Peru (CIP) and former chair of the Alliance Board of the centres supported by the CGIAR (the controlling and funding body of CIP).

He is a Trustee of the Roslin Research Institute, an adviser to Warwick HRI and a Council Member of the Royal Agricultural Society of England.

He is a former chairman of the governing board of SCRI, The Potato Marketing Board, Sentry Farming Group plc and Dream Direct Group plc; and a former member of The Centre for Agricultural Strategy (University of Reading) and The Rural Economy Group of the House of Lords.

In 2002 he was awarded the OBE for services to agricultural research in Scotland and in 2006 the World Potato Congress Industry Award for his contribution to the development of the global potato industry.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies and the Institute of Directors.

Earlier this year Mr Godfrey was awarded an honorary degree by Reading University. The degree of Doctor of Science was awarded for his outstanding international reputation in the potato industry and substantial contributions to agriculture and business worldwide.