Doctor turned farmer Johnny Wake reflects on receiving Cranfield University’s Entrepreneur Alumni of the Year award.
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ENTREPRENEURSHIP and “visionary” leadership has earned a doctor turned farmer an alumni award from Cranfield University.
Johnny Wake, managing partner of Courteenhall Farms near Northampton, was part of Cranfield’s Business Growth Programme in 2019. Now he is the winner of Cranfield School of Management’s 2025 Entrepreneur Alumni Award for his “deep commitment to sustainability and innovation” in the agriculture sector.
“Winning the Entrepreneur Alumni Award means two things to me,” he said. “Firstly, it is recognition for the incredible team I work with. They are truly amazing and make anything feel possible.
“Secondly, it helps counter the imposter syndrome I often feel as someone from a non-business background. That feeling has driven me to constantly prove myself, so I would not want to lose it entirely, but receiving this endorsement, especially from an institution I admire so much, is truly meaningful.”
Before taking over the family agriculture business full-time, Johnny was a doctor working in the Department of Health, his local hospital and a GP practice. He is a passionate advocate of sustainable farming – under his stewardship, Courteenhall Farms has doubled in size to more than 4,000 acres and is achieving a 30% increase in crop yields after adopting of precision farming, advanced irrigation systems and renewable energy technologies.
Johnny was named Sustainable Farmer of the Year at the British Farming Awards last year. The judges said his forward-thinking approach sets new standards for the industry, demonstrating how cutting-edge practices can drive both business success and sustainability, they said.
Cranfield School of Management is one of the world’s most influential business schools, with a reputation for delivering cutting-edge management thought leadership.
Its awards honour alumni who exemplify the school’s values, make significant contributions to their organisations, communities and the alumni community and who serve as role models to others aiming to make an impact in business and society.
Professor Stephanie Hussels, Cranfield University’s group head: strategy, entrepreneurship and sustainability and director of its Business Growth Programme, said: “Johnny Wake exemplifies what it means to be an entrepreneur. His achievements at Courteenhall Farms demonstrate how entrepreneurial thinking can transform industries while creating lasting positive impact.”
Courteenhall Estate lies between Roade and Northampton, is listed in the Domesday Book and has been in the Wake family since 1672. “I am hugely lucky to be a steward for a wonderful slice of the countryside,” said Johnny. “I take inspiration from the opportunity to help improve that, from the team I work with and from other trailblazers from both within and outside of my industry.
“My time at Cranfield enabled me to recruit and delegate while growing the business. It held me accountable for changes that needed to happen for the sake of both the business and myself.”
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