Graduation 2026: meet our alumni speakers

Posted Today

Our two alumni speakers this year were Sophie Parfitt and Matthew Rollason.

Sophie is Commercial Manager at Barfoots of Botley Ltd and Matthew is Agriculture Manager for one of Europe’s largest food businesses, Dunbia – a division of Dawn Meats.

Both shared reflections on their time at Harper with graduating cohorts – and tips for life after university which they’ve gleaned throughout their careers.

Harper Adams has shaped Sophie’s life in more ways than she could ever have imagined when she arrived as an Agri-Food student in 2012. It was at Harper that she discovered her passion for fresh produce, after writing an essay about carrots for a Fresh Produce Production module, inspired by the enthusiasm and teaching of lecturer Jim Monaghan. It was also where she met her husband and made some of her closest friends.

After graduating in 2016, Sophie joined the MDS graduate scheme and went on to build a career in the fresh produce industry.

She started her career in retail buying at Waitrose before moving to the supply side at Barfoots of Botley. She now works with retailers across the UK and Europe, managing commercial relationships and working with growers and customers to deliver sustainable and affordable fresh produce all year round.

 A decade after graduating, Sophie still regularly crosses paths with Harper friends in both her working and personal life.

She told this year’s graduands: “Ten years ago - I can't believe it’s ten years - I was sat exactly where you are today, so standing here now feels both surreal and incredibly special.

“Hands up if there is someone in this room — or someone watching online today — without whom you probably wouldn’t be sitting here. Have a look around.

"None of us really gets anywhere alone.

“When I was at Harper, I was always really keen to get involved. I spent my fair share of time in the SU bar and somehow became Social Secretary of the hockey club — despite the fact I couldn’t actually play any hockey!

“There were moments of inspiration. I clearly remember Jim Monaghan’s 9am lectures on a Thursday morning, and it was a lecture on carrots – it changed everything for me. That was the moment I knew fresh produce would be my career.”

Reflecting on her time on placement, she added: “Looking back, what felt like university life became the foundations of everything that followed.

“One thing I still use every day is my network from Harper. It might be hard to believe, but the person sitting two rows behind you right now will probably matter more in your career than the company whose logo you currently dream of having on your CV.”

And she concluded: “You are graduating into an extraordinary time for UK agriculture, food production, retail and education. And yes, there are enormous challenges ahead.

"But when I look around this room, I don’t just the people who are entering those industries — I see the people who are going to change them.”

Matthew graduated from Harper Adams in 2018 after four years studying Agriculture with Animal Science, including a placement year with bovine genetics company, Cogent Breeding.

Since graduating, he has spent eight years in the red meat sector.

He has first-hand experience of delivering value for a range of major food retailers, working across the beef and lamb supply chain to deliver against customer sustainability and agriculture strategies.

A past beneficiary of the Harper Adams Trust, he has been awarded several travel scholarships in recent years, allowing him to experience beef production in Australia, New Zealand, Uruguay and Canada.

In 2018 he was awarded silver in the Agricultural Student of the Year category at the British Farming Awards. Alongside his wife Lowri, Matthew runs a small herd of pedigree Hereford cattle in Lancashire and is the Chair of the 17th World Hereford Conference, which is being hosted by the United Kingdom in 2028.

He told students: “I want to start by saying what a huge privilege it is to be invited to speak to you all on this prestigious occasion and I am extremely grateful to Harper Adams for asking me to do so.

“I should probably start by also saying I am doing rather well so far, because I was late to my own graduation, so today feels like it is putting that right!

“As I reflect on my journey, almost 10 years on from graduating, I am reminded of the wonderful memories and opportunities I gained from this fantastic institution.

“Learning from the best lecturers, meeting the best people, the real-world experience of the placement year, and ‘expanding my horizons’ in the SU bar, Harper Adams is totally unparalleled in preparing you for the road ahead.”

He reflected on how his time at Harper Adams helped prepare him for taking Silver at the British Farming awards – and how the University helped to shape his future career.

He added: “Building on those foundation stones laid down at Harper, my role today requires me to engage with stakeholders from across the beef and lamb supply chain, delivering against the agriculture and sustainability strategies of our key retail customers.”

Matthew also reflected on the importance of the relationships built at University – not only for their value in developing networks, but also for the true friendships which students have forged.

He added: “Agriculture, or any other industry in fact, is a tough gig. You will need others, and they will need you from time to time, so make sure you’re there for each other when it counts.

“You’ve done the really hard part. A degree from Harper Adams is undoubtedly the golden ticket to whatever lies ahead for you. But you cannot stop there. Every day, you will need to turn up, smile and wave, and work hard. But whatever you set your sights on, you can achieve it. Remember – ‘what we think, we become.’ 

“Congratulations on making it to this very special day. A degree from one of the world’s finest agricultural universities will open doors you could never have imagined. Make the most of that.

“And in an ever-uncertain world, we need good farmers, and professionals, now more than ever. This is your time. Seize it.”