Anglia Farmers is one of only five business enterprises to be recognised in the inaugural Co-operative Excellence awards.

For the first time, awards have been made to celebrate the important contribution made by pioneering co-operatives to the success and dynamism of today’s co‑operative movement. Over 40 nominations were received and awards were made in five categories. The winners were chosen by an independent judging panel.

The Returning Value to Members award was won by Anglia Farmers which the judges acknowledged for its considerable efforts to acknowledge the importance of its members. Anglia Farmers has a clear vision to be the best agricultural purchaser in the UK, and to be recognised as such, for the benefit of its 1,300 full and 550 associate members farming over 520,000 hectares.

Ben Reid, chair of Co-operatives^UK, which organised the awards, said: “Anglia Farmers is a prime example of how farmers working together in a co‑operative way can maximise financial advantage for the co‑operative’s members. Their success demonstrates that farmers can work together in a way that is fair and equitable – in terms of control of the business, investment and the benefits generated by their co-operation.”

Clarke Willis, chief executive of Anglia Farmers, said: “Co-operative excellence is what we strive for and we are proud to have gained this national recognition. In these days of financial uncertainty, there has never been a better time to work together for the common good of the farming community.”

The other award winners are renewable energy business Dulas Limited, The Co-operative Farms, FC United of Manchester and The Phone Co-Op. All winners will now go forward to the Global Awards for Co‑operative Excellence, to be awarded at the ICA General Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland in November 2009.

Co-operatives^UKis the national member-owned and led organisation that promotes the interests of co-operatives, works to increase awareness and understanding of co-operative values and principles, and supports the development and growth of new and existing co-operatives. It is a focal point for the sector, a forum for innovation and best practice, and a strategic voice for the co-operative movement. It represents co-operative enterprise throughout the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.