How did the Elizabeth Roe Continual Professional Development Award come to be?

Elizabeth Roe joined IAgSA in 1971 and the West Sussex and Surrey Branch. She was the only Surrey member at the time. Elizabeth started her career by studying a Farm Secretarial course at Studley College in Warwickshire. From there, she went to work for the Farm Secretarial Service in Wiltshire. When the Farm Secretarial Service closed, she kept her farming clients for the rest of her working life. She was renowned for her ultimate professionalism throughout her career and her dedication to continually developing her skills base. This all became apparent when she won the Farm Secretary of the Year in 1986, organised by IAgSA and sponsored by Midland Bank Plc in association with Farmers Weekly. Elizabeth was Branch Chairman of the West Sussex and Surrey branch a number of times and – after winning her award in 1986 – she joined as an IAgSA Council Member and served as Vice Chairman from 1989-1991. The West Sussex and Surrey branch set up the Elizabeth Roe Challenge Trophy in 2001 after Elizabeth sadly passed away. The Elizabeth Roe Challenge Trophy competition was an essay with a given subject/title and CPD points would be given to all who took part. The trophy then moved on as an award for branch members who showed a high level of professionalism within their work. Today, the award is directly related to Continuing Professional Development as a tribute to Elizabeth and to recognise true professionals and dedicated persons in an industry that Elizabeth was so passionate about. IAgSA members who feel their CPD submission shows a high standard of work and strong professional development can put themselves forward for the award prior to submitting their CPD.