Ambassadors

Ambassador

Hamish Mitchell

Farmer and Champion Shearer

From Letham Farm, Perth, Scotland, Hamish Mitchell has dedicated his life to farming and shearing. Raised on a farm by his farming parents, he naturally followed in their footsteps, building a career that spans both industries. Today, he runs his own 150-acre farm while also managing the daily operations of a beef, sheep, and arable farm for Ewen Cheape in Perth.

Hamish is a highly accomplished shearer with an outstanding competitive record, having won the Scottish National multiple times and securing over 100 open wins throughout his career. However, his proudest achievement isn’t a title or trophy—it’s seeing his children develop a passion for the industry and wanting to be involved.

As a British Wool Ambassador, Hamish is driven by the opportunity to share his experiences and knowledge with the next generation of farmers and shearers. He finds real satisfaction in passing on what he has learned, ensuring the skills and traditions of the trade continue to thrive.

When it comes to inspiration, Hamish acknowledges that there are too many to mention, as he has learned from countless individuals along the way. Now, he plays his own role in shaping the future of the industry, both on the farm and in the shearing shed.

Ambassador

Ffion Jones

Champion Woolhandler

Born and raised from Corwen, Wales, Ffion Jones has been immersed in farming and woolhandling from a young age. Growing up on her family’s farm near Sennybridge, she developed a deep appreciation for the industry. Now, she supports her husband, Richard Jones, as he and his father run their family farm, managing both sheep and beef.

Ffion is an accomplished woolhandler with an impressive competitive record. She has won the Welsh Woolhandling Circuit four times and, in 2023, secured both the Welsh Circuit and Open Woolhandling titles. One of her proudest achievements came at the 2023 World Championships at the Royal Highland Show, where she and Sarah Rees claimed victory in the teams’ event—a moment that stands out as a career highlight.

Beyond competitions, Ffion is passionate about the wool industry and its future. As a British Wool Ambassador, she hopes to inspire and educate others about the craft she has been involved in for so long. She credits Gwenan Pawai as a key influence in her journey, admiring her knowledge, skill, and generosity in sharing her expertise.

While Ffion’s professional successes are remarkable, her greatest personal achievement is her three children, who remain at the heart of everything she does. Balancing family life with her love for wool, she continues to champion the industry, ensuring its traditions and skills are passed on to the next generation.

Ambassador

Gwion Lloyd Evans

Farmer and World Shearing Champion

Based at Grugor Isaf, Bylchau in North Wales, Gwion Lloyd Evans has spent his life immersed in farming and shearing. Growing up on the family farm, he developed a deep-rooted passion for the industry, starting shearing at just 12 years old. While farming at home remains central to his work, he also spends summers shearing across the UK.

Gwion has made a name for himself on the shearing circuit, winning multiple open competitions and cementing his reputation as a highly skilled shearer. His proudest moment came at the Royal Highland Show, where he achieved an incredible double victory—winning both the World Machine Individual and Team titles, a testament to his dedication and expertise.

For Gwion, farming isn’t just a career; it’s a way of life. He wouldn’t want to do anything else, and that passion extends to shearing. As a British Wool Ambassador, he hopes to inspire the next generation to take up the craft and ensure the industry remains strong for years to come.

When it comes to inspiration, Gwion credits the many shearers he’s worked with and for, learning from their skill, work ethic, and commitment to the trade. Now, he’s carrying that knowledge forward, both on the competition stage and in the field, continuing to push the standards of shearing excellence.

Ambassador

Susie Parish

Shepherdess, Shearing Instructor & Wool Advocate

Hailing from Hampshire, Susie Parish has dedicated her life to farming, shearing, and championing British wool. As a shepherdess at The Grey Sheep Company, she oversees a flock of 500 sheep bred specifically for wool production. In addition to managing the flock, she plays a crucial role in the on-farm spinning mill, processing fleece into high-quality knitting yarns that are sold across the UK and exported worldwide.

Beyond her work at The Grey Sheep Company, Susie runs a sheep and alpaca shearing business and has carved out an impressive career in the wool industry. She made history as the first female shearing instructor for British Wool and has become a well-respected voice in the industry, holding leadership positions as Southern Region Chairman and Hampshire Representative for British Wool and Southeast Region Chairman for the NSA.

Her contributions to wool and shearing education extend far beyond the farm. As a Lister Shearing Ambassador and BISCA shearing judge, Susie has promoted the industry on numerous prime-time TV and radio shows. She also played a key role in the NFU Schools’ Project, demonstrating shearing and wool processing via a live stream that reached an incredible 60,000 children.

Susie’s achievements have been widely recognised, including winning the Farmers Weekly Farm Diversification Award as part of The Grey Sheep Company. However, one of her proudest personal moments remains winning the ladies’ class at the Royal Welsh Show, a testament to her skill and dedication to shearing.

Farming is more than a profession for Susie—it’s a way of life. Having been raised on a farm, she has always been drawn to working with animals, particularly sheep and border collies. The ever-changing seasons, the land, and the wildlife continue to inspire her daily, making it impossible to imagine doing anything else.

Ambassador

Matt Smith

Shearing Contractor and Record Holder

Originally from New Zealand and now based in Cornwall, Matthew Smith has dedicated his life to farming and shearing. As a shearing contractor in the Southwest, he runs a diverse farming enterprise, managing 1,200 Romney sheep, 700 Red Deer, and 100 cattle.

Farming has been in Matthew’s blood since birth, shaping both his personal and professional journey. A relentless drive for excellence led him to break one of the most prestigious records in shearing – the 9-hour strong wool ewe shearing record. His dedication and skill have also seen him represent England on the shearing stage, a testament to his commitment to the industry.

While Matthew often jokes that he’s “not right in the head” for choosing farming, his passion for the land and the wool industry speaks for itself. His proudest moment remains breaking a shearing record that many regard as one of the toughest in the world.

As a British Wool ambassador, Matthew is committed to promoting the benefits of wool, ensuring its value is recognised across the industry and beyond. He draws inspiration from successful people across all walks of life, using their drive and determination to fuel his own ambitions.