The 2026 MDS Awards: Announcing This Year’s Winners
The MDS Annual Conference 2026 brought together Trainees, Members, alumni and industry leaders for a day of learning, networking and celebration. A highlight of the event was the annual MDS Awards, which recognise outstanding achievement, commitment and impact across the MDS network.
Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and those who were recognised for their contributions.
Doug Henderson Award
The Doug Henderson Award is one of the most prestigious honours, recognising a Trainee who has demonstrated outstanding dedication, leadership and impact across their MDS journey.
This year’s award was presented to Amy Sanders, in recognition of her exceptional contribution across multiple placements. Throughout her time on the programme, Amy has consistently taken on significant responsibility, delivered high-impact projects and created lasting value for Member organisations.
From leading a company rebrand and website project to improving operational processes and implementing new systems, Amy has repeatedly stepped outside her comfort zone and delivered results in unfamiliar environments. Her ability to learn quickly, take ownership and see projects through from concept to completion has made a tangible difference across a number of businesses.
Alongside her professional achievements, Amy has been a strong supporter of fellow Trainees and has fully embraced the opportunities available through the MDS programme. Her drive, resilience and commitment to continuous development make her a worthy recipient of this year’s Doug Henderson Award.
Highly Commended
A highly commended recognition was also awarded to Anne Murrie for her outstanding contribution throughout her MDS journey.
Anne played a key role during a major cyber incident at M&S while at Double H, supporting continuity through manual processes and coordination across teams. She also delivered strong commercial impact at Elsoms Seeds, supporting significant growth in the UK pumpkin category.
Her ability to adapt quickly and take ownership made her a highly valued member of every team she joined.
Shortlisted for the Doug Henderson Award:
- Sophie Williams
- Carys Martin
- John Watkins
- Elizabeth Harley
- Alfie Nicol
- Ariana Davison
Rising Stars Award
The Rising Stars Award recognises Trainees who have demonstrated exceptional potential, commitment and progress during their time on the MDS programme.
This year’s award attracted a record level of engagement, with 23% of current MDS Trainees nominated by their colleagues and managers. In total, 21 Trainees were nominated – the highest number in MDS history, surpassing last year’s total of 17 – reflecting the breadth of talent across the programme.
This year’s Rising Stars are:
- Ariana Davison
- Elizabeth Harley
- Christian Morgan
- Dominic Garcia
- Reuben Cavill
Why they won
Ariana Davison
Having previously been recognised as a Rising Star during her first secondment, Ariana continued to impress during her placement with Syngenta in Switzerland. She led key AI and process improvement projects, working across international teams and delivering strong results in a fast-paced environment.
Elizabeth Harley
Elizabeth consistently delivered impact beyond her Trainee role during her secondment with Syngenta Group. She led key communications activity, managing stakeholders and deadlines effectively, while also supporting operational improvements and AI-related initiatives that enhanced ways of working.
Christian Morgan
Christian was recognised as a Rising Star during his first secondment, reflecting the strong impression he made early in his MDS journey. At YBL, he led R&D trial activity and delivered high-quality analysis and reporting, becoming a trusted point of contact for stakeholders.
Dominic Garcia
Dominic quickly became a trusted member of both the Double H and M&S teams. He supported forecasting and supply operations and contributed to key projects that improved alignment and performance during busy trading periods.
Reuben Cavill
Reuben consistently exceeded expectations at Branston Ltd, supporting multiple projects and turning data into actionable insight. He confidently presented CapEx proposals to senior leaders, resulting in approved investments and operational improvements.
Also Nominated:
We’d also like to recognise the following Trainees, who were nominated for their impact and outstanding potential during their secondments.
- Annabel Webb
- Scarlett Bromley
- Milly Wharmby
- Freya Hewitt-Penfold
- Matthew Jones
- Alfie Nicol
- Ben Jeal
- Phoebe Healey Knotts
- George Leighton
- Ellen Wotherspoon
- Tina Rana
- Rachel Scarth
- Edward Carter
- Bronya Pope
- Iain Adams
- Sophie Williams
Fresh Futures Cup
The Fresh Futures Cup, introduced for the first time in 2026 and presented by Christine Tacon, was awarded to Aaron Copeland in recognition of being the first Trainee to complete the Fresh Futures programme, which he supported during its pilot phase prior to launch.
Over the past two years, Aaron has shown significant personal and professional growth, building his confidence, capability and understanding of the food, fresh produce and agriculture sector through a variety of placements. His journey has demonstrated the opportunities the programme can offer and the impact it can have on developing future industry talent.
This award recognises both Aaron’s achievement in completing the pilot programme and his contribution to shaping the early success of Fresh Futures.
David Bagshaw Award
The David Bagshaw Award celebrates a Trainee who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to their professional development throughout the MDS apprenticeship. It recognises those who have gone above and beyond in their leadership and management training, showing real dedication to their growth.
The award is presented by The Apprenticeship College, who select the winner based on their progress, engagement and overall performance across the training programme.
This year’s David Bagshaw Award was presented to Carys Martin.
Throughout her MDS journey, Carys has demonstrated professionalism, dedication and a commitment to continuous improvement. Alongside making a positive impact within her secondments, she has built strong relationships with colleagues and earned recognition for her collaborative approach, integrity and positive attitude.
Her achievements and the way she has achieved them make her a worthy recipient of this year’s award.
Peter Shephard Award
The Peter Shephard Award recognises a Member organisation that demonstrates outstanding commitment to supporting and developing MDS Trainees throughout their secondment.
This year’s award was presented to Yorkshire Botanicals Limited, in recognition of their strong approach to Trainee development. They provided trust, responsibility and exposure across the business, alongside consistent support and guidance.
Their focus on autonomy, feedback and development created an environment where Trainees were able to contribute meaningfully and grow in confidence throughout their placement.
Also Nominated:
- Issy Ehlen – Iceland
- Jennifer Chatwin – Syngenta
- Kate Leeming – Myton Food Group
- Nathalia De Toledo Pinto – Chemetall
- Scott Lidgett – Criddle
- Susan Knight – Syngenta
- Weronika Smethurst, Pherenice Noble and India Dodge-Forder – Corteva Agriscience
Congratulations to all our winners
The MDS Awards celebrate the people and organisations who make a lasting impact across the food, agriculture and fresh produce industries. Their achievements reflect the talent, commitment and passion that continue to drive the MDS network forward.
Congratulations once again to all our award winners and those recognised at this year’s conference.