LAA Development Officer, Zanna Dennis, shortlisted as finalist for the National Women in Agriculture Awards

LAA Development Officer, Zanna Dennis, has been shortlisted as a finalist for Training & Education Woman of the Year at the upcoming National Women in Agriculture Awards, in recognition of her development & delivery of the LAA’s MartSafe Training Programme. 

The awards recognise remarkable achievements and highlights significant contributions within the agricultural sector, showcasing women who are truly leading the way and setting an inspiring example for others. 

Listening to the needs of the LAA membership and bringing together her years of experience in both teaching and the livestock market, Zanna has spearheaded a bespoke training programme to benefit the industry, alongside LAA Health & Safety Trainer, Gwyn Williams. 

In 2022, the LAA launched the MartSafe Training Programme as part of a wider initiative to promote health and safety within the livestock market, meeting the needs of the LAA membership by providing a recognised training route for all staff within the business, bespoke to the challenges faced within the livestock market.

Delivered in-person by an LAA trainer, through a series of practical, interactive and engaging exercises, the programme provides specialist advice and training on the key responsibilities within the livestock market over 4 core training modules: Animal Behaviour, Safe Handling, People Behaviour and Animal Welfare. 

The training fosters a commitment to continuous improvement, facilitating constructive group discussions and practical assessments to enhance health and safety in the livestock market, reviewed at regular intervals. Every training session is supported by an online training portal and resource pack to support further in-house training and development. 

Each year, a new MartSafe curriculum is released, building on the core training principles, in response to participant feedback, changes to legislation and the current needs of the livestock market industry.

In 2024, recognising the growing mental health crisis within our agricultural industry, the LAA collaborated with the DPJ Foundation to develop a specialist training module within the MartSafe 3.0 curriculum on mental health and suicide awareness, to support livestock market staff in their own personal wellbeing, as well as within their roles engaging with livestock market customers and the wider agricultural community. 

Since launch, the LAA has delivered 115 training sessions to 2,800 participants in livestock markets across England and Wales. Participant feedback has praised the interactive and engaging delivery, relevant content, and opportunities to reflect on working practises and constructively find solutions as a staff team. 

The training has been shared with representatives from DEFRA and Welsh Government, receiving high praise and attracting interest from across the wider agricultural industry. The MartSafe Training Programme demonstrates the LAA’s commitment to driving change across the agricultural sector to ensure safe working environments for all. 

Zanna’s pathway into her current role as LAA Development Officer is far from conventional, contributing to a unique skill set and rich experience that has supported the success of the MartSafe Training Programme.

Growing up on a small beef and sheep farm in North Yorkshire, Zanna was immersed in agriculture and the livestock market industry from a young age, with her father, Stephen Dennis, taking the role of Senior Auctioneer & Market Manager at Bentham Auction Mart. 

However, during her school years Zanna pursued her interests within the Arts, training at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, successfully completing a BPA (Hons) degree in Contemporary Dance, specialising in Dance in Education, developing her passion for people and for teaching. 

Following her graduation in 2010, Zanna returned to North Yorkshire, and whilst working part time at the local auction mart as a livestock drover, Zanna co-founded Blue Moose Dance Company, delivering creative and educational dance experiences across the North-West of England. 

In 2020, with a desire to return fully to agriculture and pursue her passion for the live auction ring, Zanna transitioned to take up the role of Development Officer at the LAA, bringing together 10 years of experience within the livestock market and highly developed skills in project management, teaching and training, to drive forward the LAA’s services to member firms and the wider agricultural industry.

The strength of the MartSafe Training Programme lies in the delivery, expertise and unique understanding of the sector. Together with Gwyn Williams, a retired auctioneer and qualified instructor, whose dedication and passion for the livestock market industry has been invaluable to the success of the programme, Zanna has developed a curriculum and delivery style that meets the needs of market staff and demonstrates a deep, practical understanding of the unique challenges faced within the livestock market that resonates with participants.