CRPR pays tribute to Caroline Drummond

Caroline Drummond MBE
Hon DSc, NSch, HonFSE, FRAgS, FIAgM, FRSA, FSB, CEnv, BSc (Hons) Agric

LEAF’s Chief Executive, Caroline Drummond, passed away on Monday 23rd May, after a short illness.

Caroline was an inspiration to all who knew her, transforming LEAF over 30 years from a small farmer organisation to a major force in promoting sustainable farming, agri-environmental  management and healthy food. Her energy, drive and vision will be remembered by all who had the privilege to know her and work with her.

She worked with CRPR on the Defra-funded Sustainable Intensification Platform between 2014 and 2018, was a member of the Expert Panel for our COVID and food systems project, and was part of the team in a current project on managing ash dieback led by Forest Research with which Matt Lobley, Becca Wheeler and Michael Winter are all involved.

Michael writes: “I knew Caroline for more than thirty years and will never forget her energy, enthusiasm and sheer zest for her work. Despite all the drive and determination she needed to take LEAF to such heights of achievement, she never lost the human touch. She was warm, engaging and kind and I came to count her as a true friend as well as a colleague. The last words she said to me just a few weeks ago, when she was in hospital, were ‘we really must write that book together’ – we had talked about a joint book on food, farming and health.  Sadly not to be.  But I will be thinking about her many insights in much of my future writing.” 

Matt writes: “I first saw Caroline speak about LEAF around the time of its formation and always found her to be an informed and inspiring speaker. She had amazing drive and was incredibly knowledgeable. It was always great working with her and I never minded Caroline pinching my chips when she had gone for the healthy option at a meal! She will be greatly missed”