The prestigious Royal Smithfield Bicentenary Trophy has been awarded to National Sheep Association (NSA) Chief Executive, Phil Stocker, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the British Meat and Livestock Industry. The presentation was made at the Moredun Foundation, Edinburgh on Tuesday 12th August 2026 on the occasion of the NSA AGM.
Well-known Perthshire sheep breeder, and former Moredun Chair, Ian Duncan Millar MBE, gave the citation in front of a large gathering of Phil’s colleagues and friends from the sheep industry. In keeping with tradition, the Smithfield Bicentenary Trophy is ‘sprung’ on the recipient without their prior knowledge with Phil being both surprised and delighted to win the award. “It is fitting that this award goes to Phil and that he has today been recognised in front of his peers for his unwavering commitment and dedication; and we are very fortunate to have him leading our organisation,” said Mr Duncan Millar.
Mr Stocker joined the National Sheep Association in 2011, following a career at the Soil Association. “Phil has demonstrated very considerable skills, not only as a CEO, but as a communicator at all levels of the sheep industry but also, importantly, as an influencer at a national political level. He has the ability to draw people together, often coming from different standpoints, to help develop a consensus. This has been borne out through his recent Chairmanship of the Dartmoor Land Use Management Group, bringing stakeholders together to find a way forward balancing the needs of farming, food self-sufficiency, nature and recreation,” read the citation.
In accepting the award from Royal Smithfield Club Secretary Richard Saunders, Phil paid tribute to the dedicated team of people around him – the NSA staff, regional committees, trustees – who give so much of their time to promoting the UK sheep industry. Said Phil, “If you surround yourself with good people, you cannot fail, and this is especially true throughout the wider NSA family.”
Congratulations to Phil who was also made MBE in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours!
Grateful thanks are extended to the NSA team including Peter Delbridge, Peter Myles, Alec Telfer, Dan Phipps and Ian Duncan Millar for facilitating the presentation to Mr Stocker