Recruitment management decision shapes estate’s farm staff

The recent appointment of an assistant manager at the Woburn Estate’s in-hand farming operation is an important part of William Haupt’s approach to risk management and succession.

Seven years into his farm manager role, the fact there was no-one else on-farm to make day-to-day management decisions in his absence was becoming an increasing concern to William.

The farming operation has grown considerably since William was appointed, taking on a large contract acreage and developing environmental schemes, as well as significant building projects and grant claims.

With this, the manager role has grown too.

See also: Farmers Weekly Awards 2023: Farm Manager of the Year

“It was important to think very carefully about how to introduce another member into a strong and settled team, with the personality of the new recruit of higher importance than qualifications and experience,” says William.  

“As well as a decent package including a house, good training and a development plan was key in attracting the right applicants.”

Recruitment process

The search for an assistant manager began with advertising throughout October and into November, resulting in 96 applicants, of whom 10 were given an online interview.

This whittled the list down to six for face-to-face interviews with William, and a Savills consultant providing  “killer questions” such as “tell us about something you did wrong and how you put it right?”.

The final interviews saw two candidates meet with William and the Duke of Bedford, with Tom Clough being appointed and joining at the end of January on a six-month probation period.

“Tom shone through,” says William. “Nothing flustered him, and he seemed like a good fit for the team.”

William involved Tom in the discussion about what a good probation looks like.

There will be further integration as he starts taking on responsibility, including the chance to attend farm management courses.

Tom comes to Woburn from the Bradford Estates in Shropshire.

As well as day-to-day work with the rest of the team, he has attended off-site appointments such as meetings with the farm’s carbon benchmarking group and the Wildfarmed organisation, for which the first crop was grown last year.

An expanded acreage is planned for harvest 2024.

Harvest students

Recruitment has been taking a considerable amount of William’s time recently, with four students to be found for harvest and a fifth returning to Woburn for a second year.

William was encouraged by the number of applications and final decisions have now been made.

He believes the profile of the estate as an employer was raised by his Farmers Weekly Awards win.

Risk management

As well as a meticulous approach to health and safety, managing the reputational risk of the estate is a key element of which all staff are keenly aware.

A comprehensive lone working policy includes all vehicles having 24-hour, two-way radios linked to the estate’s security team.

Every machine is on GPS and if anything is idling for more than 15 minutes, an alert is sent to William.

The last person back to the yard notifies the rest of the team through a group text and locks up.

Investment in people

William completed his Basis diploma in agronomy recently and, following the Worshipful Company’s Advanced Course in Agricultural Business Management in 2021-22, he is considering further opportunities such as the Challenge of Rural Leadership and applying for a Nuffield Scholarship.

Keen to retain and develop staff, he runs six-monthly appraisals and sets up training days on subjects like soil health, the farm’s environment schemes and their management.

The team are involved in all machinery decisions, and each member has a bespoke training plan, with Basis, Facts and drone training offered as well as a wide range of short courses.

Good machinery, quality staff accommodation and high levels of machinery maintenance, alongside detailed harvest and lone worker policies, are important elements in attracting and retaining staff.

Although the farm does not have a dedicated stockperson, all staff members take an interest and share the responsibility.

They all take turns in feeding and checking the cattle, including a 9-10pm check during calving, when they can call in William if needed.