A sales manager from Muntons has been recognised for achieving the country’s highest result in his industry exams.
Joe Fifield (right) receives the award from the Macpherson chair of trustees, Adrian Dyter
Joe Fifield, brewing and distilling malt sales manager, who works for the Stowmarket-based maltster, completed the General Certificate of Malting (GCM) last year and achieved a credit grade.
The malting industry’s trade association, the Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain (MAGB), named Joe as its highest-scoring exam candidate for 2020. This led to the Macpherson Memorial Trust nominating him for the Association’s prestigious award, the Macpherson Quaich.
The trust was set up in memory of well-loved and respected maltster Tim Macpherson, who, along with his wife Diedre (also known as Mouse), and their youngest daughter, Iona, was killed during a terrorist attack on board an Air Lanka aircraft in 1986.
The trust supports those who work in the malt, brewing, and distilling industries to apply for financial awards for personal development, such as research and travel. Since 2017, it has additionally recognised study achievements by awarding the Macpherson Quaich to outstanding GCM candidates.
Ordinarily, the Macpherson Memorial Trust presents the candidate who has achieved the highest GCM result, with the special cup, at the MAGB’s annual luncheons. However, because of covid safety measures, Joe had to wait a year to receive the accolade.
Joe said: “I’m honoured to have received the Macpherson Quaich. It’s a tremendous achievement for me, and it’s something I’m really proud of.
“The various lockdowns limited our planned industry visits that form part of our studies, so a special thanks must go to my mentor, George Irving, who’s our maltings manager and leads educational development at Muntons. He continued to run sessions virtually and provided excellent support to prepare for the exam.”
