CHAIRMAN’S REPORT FOR 2020 HELEN WOOLLEY NSch
What a difference a year makes! Last year my report was framed around uncertainty as we faced an election, a new government and our departure from the European Union, whilst also looking forward to the potential opportunities for Nuffield and our scholars to respond positively to a major transition in UK farming. My 2020 report is again framed against a background of uncertainty dominated by the Covid -19 pandemic which continues to impact the way we all live our lives. Celebrating the 1000th UK scholar, 2020 was to be a year of high profile events with the Nuffield Triennial conference in New Zealand, the Nuffield Lecture in London and of course our traditional Annual Conference. In mid-March our 2020 scholars along with our Director and myself arrived in Australia full of enthusiasm and looking forward to the CSC on Tangalooma Island just off the Brisbane coast. Whilst there the extent and international response to the pandemic developed with speed and the tough decisions to shorten the CSC and cancel the Triennial Conference were made. For a charity whose purpose is to provide international travel scholarships it was inevitable that a pandemic with such devastating global impact would ‘hit us hard’. Throughout this crisis Nuffield Farming Trustees have overseen the charity’s response considering its impact on our Scholars, supporters and future applicants. The Trustees have been determined that the Trust would not ‘shut up shop’ but look for different ways of working, engaging with our Alumni, progressing projects and managing the trusts finances to ensure its long term viability. The trust is in the fortunate position of having significant financial reserves held to protect it through difficult periods – a rainy day fund - and to quote one of our Trustees ‘it is raining pretty hard at the moment’! The impact has been greatest on our 2019 and 2020 Scholars, whose travels, studies and reporting have been severely disrupted. The Trustees are determined that all scholars will have the opportunity to fulfil their scholarship experience when international travel becomes possible with flexible deadlines for the time being. In the meantime, scholars are being encouraged to develop broad travel plans and timelines; to undertake online research; and make virtual connections so they are well prepared when international travel becomes possible. After careful consideration, including consulting with other Nuffield Countries, Trustees made the decision that we should recruit scholars this year and ‘virtual’ selection interviews have recently been completed. That we are able to do this in such an uncertain economic climate is due to the very generous sponsorship we continue to receive from our loyal and committed scholar sponsors, and I would like to offer sincere thanks to all of them for their continued support. Throughout this year the Nuffield Farming Office team have been imaginative, enthusiastic and committed to finding new ways of doing things. I would like to recognise the efforts of them, and all the many Scholars, who have continued to support the Trust as we adapt to the new environment and provide a topical range of virtual events and communications.
10
