Johnston Carmichael's Head of Rural, Jenn Stewart, has been awarded an Associateship of the Royal Agricultural Societies (ARAgS), one of the most prestigious honours in UK agriculture.

The award recognises Jenn's significant contribution to the practice and development of agriculture and was presented during a ceremony at the Royal Highland Show, Scotland’s leading agricultural event. The ARAgS Associateship is given only to those who have demonstrated a genuinely outstanding level of achievement, going well beyond the ordinary demands of their professional role.

Jenn joined Johnston Carmichael in 2019 and leads the firm's rural sector focus, advising a wide portfolio of clients across the agricultural sector and wider rural economy. In her personal life, agriculture and farming has always been part of her life, since childhood. This has given her a practical understanding of the challenges facing the sector. She is also a licensed insolvency practitioner with more than 20 years' experience in restructuring and debt advisory, with a particular specialism in rural and agricultural businesses.

Outside of work, Jenn is deeply involved in the farming community, completing the Advanced course in Agri Business Management with the Worshipful Company of Farmers and serving on the Taxation Committee for Scottish Landed Estates. She also represents Johnston Carmichael on the Rural Accountancy Group, an organisation of 10 firms with expertise in providing services to rural and agricultural businesses.

ARAgS is awarded by the Council for Awards of Royal Agricultural Societies (CARAS), which acts on behalf of the UK's four national Royal Agricultural Societies. Candidates are nominated by existing Fellows and, if considered to have made truly outstanding contributions to UK agricultural progress, are invited to submit an application. The process involves sponsor letters, written submissions, and assessment interviews before a Moderators Panel makes the final decision.

I’m deeply honoured to have been awarded this prestigious accolade. Johnston Carmichael was founded in Elgin in 1936 to service local farmers. Nine decades later, we remain as committed to rural businesses as ever and have built a talented and extensive team specialising in advising clients across agriculture and rural life. This award is as much for them and their dedication to the sector as it is for me.”

Jenn Stewart, Partner and Head of Rural'

It is also hugely pleasing to see a number of our own clients and wider industry stakeholders which we work closely with, also receiving recognition and awards for their commitment to agriculture and rural life. Very well done to them.