In Memoriam: John Beckett, Belton Cheese

Throughout his distinguished career he championed the dairy industry, working as president of the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) and Chairman of Cheshire Country Landowners Association, as well as chairman of NWF Group for 11 years.

In 1994 John was named chairman of Genus, and seven years later the business had transformed to become the biggest breeding company in the world and was trading in 70 countries – testament to his hard work and dedication.

This dedication was mirrored in his passion for helping young people develop within the industry, sharing with them the knowledge of business and management he thought necessary to allow farmers to compete on equal terms. To assist in this mission and to benefit generations to come, John established the MBA Agrifarm Charitable Fund – administered by The Worshipful Company of Farmers – to enable farmers to study for an MBA at the Cranfield School of Management.

He also worked as chairman of Farmhouse Cheesemakers Ltd, Goodwins Cheese Ltd, The 300 Cow Club and M K Richmond Ltd John Deere dealership, an honorary fellow of the Agricultural Society of England, and a liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Farmers.

John’s services to the industry were recognised in 2012 when he was presented with the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers’ Princess Royal Award, and in 2013 this accolade was followed by the RASE’s National Agricultural Award.

A Service of Thanksgiving is to be held at St. Alkmunds’s Church in Whitchurch, Shropshire at 12 noon on 18th March 2016.

Justin Beckett, MD of Belton Cheese said, “My father’s passing is a huge loss for all the family and those worked with him in the business, but we take comfort from the tributes and letters that have poured in. He was a hugely loved and respected man who will be sorely missed by everyone who was lucky enough
to ever meet him.”