Wednesday, 18 June 2025
Hugh is well known and respected in the UK pig industry and has more than 40 years of commercial experience in supplying technology to farmers. He joined the AHDB Pork Sector Council in May 2022.
Hugh, a founder and director of Farmex, pioneers of pig building environmental control systems, has given more than 40 years of service to the pig sector and has played a huge part in the success of the National Pig Association (NPA), including helping to forge strong links between the production and allied sectors.
Alongside his role in the sector council, Hugh is heavily involved in the development of the pig industry’s environmental roadmap.
He is also a key figure on the Building Suppliers Forum, which collates key information on topics like flexible farrowing, and chairs the successful Pig Industry Scholarship Programme (PISP) group, which helps young people get into the pig industry.
He won the David Black Award in 2023 and the NPA Chris Brant Award in 2009. He won the Institute of Agricultural Engineers Award of Merit in 2023.
As if all that is not enough, Hugh is an accomplished musician and “founder and boss” of Feast of Fiddles, which has toured the country for many years to packed-out audiences.
Hugh said he was “quite overwhelmed and humbled” by the response of industry people, friends and family. “Wow, what an honour to be recognised so formally as a pig industry lifer,” he said.
Glen Nimmo, Pork Sector Council Chair, said:
“On behalf of the Pork Sector Council, I’d like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Hugh Crabtree on being awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List. Hugh’s dedication to the pig industry over more than four decades is nothing short of extraordinary.
“From pioneering environmental control systems to championing young talent through the Pig Industry Scholarship Programme, his impact has been both deep and wide-ranging. This honour is a fitting recognition of a career defined by innovation, collaboration and unwavering commitment to the sector.
“We’re proud to have Hugh as a valued member of our council and a true ambassador for the industry.”