This award recognises an individual who has made an 'outstanding and significant' contribution to Welsh agriculture.
Mr Irwedd Griffiths, Nantygochel, Dolwen, Abergele
Welsh farmer Mr Irwedd Griffiths of Nantygochel, Dolwen, Abergele, is the winner of the Lantra Wales 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contribution to Welsh agricultural training services.
For more than four decades, hugely popular beef and sheep farmer Mr Griffiths, has been a driving force in professionalising and modernising the land-based skills sector throughout Wales, supporting farmers, foresters and horticulturists to gain the training, qualifications and confidence they need to work safely, efficiently and sustainably.
A former member of Betws yn Rhos YFC and later county chairman of Clwyd YFC, Mr Griffiths has long championed the importance of equipping farmers with practical skills and the self-belief to utilise them on family farms and in the workplace.
Since taking over Grwp Hyfforddi Bro Gele in 1983, and later Grwp Hyfforddi Bro Hiraethog, both former Agricultural Training Boards (ATBs), Mr Grifiths has provided accessible, high-quality training, through his teams of professional trainers, who for over 40 years have delivered hundreds of accredited courses, ranging from practical machinery handling and land management to essential business and health and safety courses.
Acknowledged as one of the leading independent training providers in North Wales where his company is based, Mr Griffiths has built up an impressive client list which includes Farming Connect, Lantra Wales, the National Trust, several councils and many other clients throughout Wales.
Mr Griffiths’ commitment, problem-solving approach and deep understanding of farming life has helped support generations of learners, of all ages and from various farming sectors, strengthening countless rural businesses.
Kevin Thomas, Director of Lantra Wales, said that Mr Griffiths was the unanimous choice for this year’s award, and thanked him for the outstanding contribution he has made to transforming not only the job prospects and earning power of so many trainees, but for giving them the support and confidence to put their newly-learned skills into practice for their own personal development and for the wider benefit of Welsh agriculture.