Warwickshire farmer recognised for breaking down complex IHT topics
2nd March 2026
Warwickshire dairy and arable farmer Charles Goadby, who has become a leading voice on family farm tax, working to ensure the serious implications for family farms were clearly understood at the heart of local and national government, received the Meurig Raymond Award.
Named after the NFU’s former president, the award celebrates exceptional service to the NFU and wider farming sector. Charles, who farms near Nuneaton, was selected from nominees representing each of the NFU’s four English regions and NFU Cymru.
He helped organise major gatherings outside Warwickshire County Council and was subsequently invited to address the councillors ahead of a motion of no confidence on the reforms.
That discussion led to the leader of the council writing directly to the Treasury and the Chancellor to set out the county’s concerns. Charles has also worked closely with his local MP, Jodie Gosling, through on-farm meetings, constituency walks and practical demonstrations of the real-world impact of the family farm tax.
His work has brought together different farmer groups, ensuring that NFU positions were better understood and that the wider farming community presented a more united voice.
Outstanding contribution
Charles Goadby said he is “flabbergasted” to be recognised for standing up for something he believes in so strongly.
“The thought that you can actually win an award for doing something that so many farmers and growers do day in and day out – and for something that you love doing – is mind boggling”.
NFU director general Terry Jones added: “I’m absolutely delighted that Charles has won this year’s Meurig Raymond Award after being nominated alongside four other fantastic members from across England and Wales.
“What has particularly stood out is his ability to break down complex topics in ways that resonate – including a memorable Lego-based explanation of potential APR and BPR losses which made an often-impenetrable topic accessible to a wider audience and helped bring new supporters into the conversation.
“Charles has made an outstanding contribution to raising the profile of British farmers and the vital work they do, making a demonstrable difference to the political understanding of key agricultural issues and making him a very worthy winner of this year’s award.”
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