Colin Fernandes AIPH Young International Grower of the year 2024
The award ceremony was held by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) on Tuesday 23 January 2024 in Essen, Germany
We congratulate Colin Fernandes, Trial Site Coordinator at Marginpar, with winning the Young International Grower of the Year Award at the AIPH Awards, held at IPM Essen. Which is known as the worlds leading trade fair for horticulture.
About the award
The award is part of the AIPH International Grower of the Year (IGOTY) Awards 2024, which celebrates the best of the horticultural sector. The Young IGOTY category recognises vibrant individuals, aged 25-40, who will lead the industry into the future. Entrants were participants of Jungle Talks’ Pro Manager Mastercourse. Three young professionals were selected as finalists: Colin Fernandes, Kenya; Tomasz Dźwigoń, Poland; and Zhuoer Fang, China.
Colin, along with the other finalists, presented his ideas to an international jury of horticultural professionals. The judges were: Leonardo Capitanio, President of AIPH and owner of Vivai Capitanio, Italy; Eliot Barden, Past YIGOTY winner and Aftercare, Apprenticeship and Training Director for Majestic Trees, UK; and Puck van Holsteijn, CEO of World Horti Center and CEO of HortiHeroes, Netherlands.
An amazing achievement
“It feels absolutely amazing to have won this award,” Colin said. “I couldn’t have done it without my team. It’s a great stepping stone that will help me in the future to come. The Mastercourse has been one of the best experiences I’ve had so far. A two-week intensive course with some really inspirational people, it’s been amazing.”
Leonardo Capitanio commented: “Colin has rapidly achieved an important role in Marginpar. He has a good eye for the future, developing product and people; effectively managing teams in different countries. This, alongside his valuable international experience makes him an inspirational manager and grower and a worthy winner.”
We are extremely proud of our colleague Colin Fernandes for all of his achievements and for winning Young International Grower of the year 2024!
Does Colin look familiar to you? That's definitely possible! He starred in our "Ask Marginpar" series.
