Winner for 2011: John Berchman Chinonye Njoku, Nigerian Breweries Plc - Africa Section

Presentation/Prize:
The winner receives £1000 and an engraved quaiche. Usually presented at a relevant Section dinner or convention. If based outside the UK, the winner receives three days subsistence and accommodation for three nights. However, candidates organise and pay for their own travel or request their company do so.

Eligibility/Parameters:
Awarded to the highest distinction of Dipl.Brew.

This award is open to all Dipl.Brew candidates.

The Board of Examiners are responsible for selecting the winner, based on examination results.

Previous Recipients:
2010: Stephen Bossu, University of California Davis - International Section
2009: Kevin Wright, UC Davis, USA - International Section
2008: Mr Donald Oliver, UC Davis Extension Course, USA - International Section
2007*: Ifeanyichukwu Ezeodili, Ifeanyichukwu Theo Ezeodili,
UK 2007* - Sandra Van Nierop, South African Breweries Ltd, South Africa

*In 2007 this award was won by two candidates.

Further Details Regarding the Award:
In 1945, Mrs John S Ford endowed a memorial to her late husband who had died the previous year. Her wish was that the memorial should be of a nature to encourage young brewers, and it was agreed that it should take the form of a monetary prize or prizes in perpetuity for the best student of the year passing Part I of the Institute's Examinations.

This benefaction was increased at a later date and the awards finally took the form of travelling studentships or financial help towards the payment of tuition fees.

It was also recommended that only candidates of British nationality who had passed Part I of the Institute's examinations should be eligible for the awards; and that trustees should be appointed to administer the fund. (This recommendation was changed and opened to all candidates in 1969)

The Council approved these recommendations and a trust deed was duly executed.

John Simpson Ford had served as Chairman of the Research Fund Committee from 1924 - 1926, and the successful evolution of the Institute's research activities during the early years of its existence owed much to his foresight, guidance and practical help.

Born in 1866, Ford entered the brewing industry in 1889 when he was appointed chemist to Wm. Younger & Co. Ltd., Edinburgh. He became a Director of the Company in 1921. He was a member of the Institute, and a valued contributor to its Journal, for many years, serving as Chairman of the Scottish Section in 1908-09.

As currently administered, the JS Ford Award is presented to the IBD candidate achieving the highest distinction in the Diploma in Brewing Examination. The winner receives a cheque and an engraved memento, plus a certificate.

The winner is selected by the IBD Board of Examiners, and the prizes are normally given at a Section dinner or IBD convention.