Christopher Price is the CEO of Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

Christopher joined RBST in February 2019 from the CLA where he was Director of Policy and Advice. He is also the Chair of the Uplands Alliance which aims to bring together practitioners, researchers and others involved in uplands policy.

Jo set up a modern mixed farming business in 2013 with partner Rob in North Hertfordshire. They now farm 2000ac arable, 2000 New Zealand Romney ewes and milk 300 ewes. They are tenant farmers and have three children, Maggie, Evie and George.

Director, Land and Family Business

Gary advises clients on such diverse subjects as succession planning, restructuring, mediation, management accounts and tax.

Since 1992, Gary has produced benchmarking data from clients’ annual management accounts and using this data has helped clients to identify strengths and weaknesses and challenge business structures and practices.

Gary enjoys writing and has many articles published in the press, together with books on machinery management and also two issues of the Institute of Chartered Accountants reference book on auditing and accounting.

He is also a member of the Agricultural Law Association. A regular speaker at many events, Gary is passionate about encouraging and helping young individuals progress and for clients to receive the very best advice available.

Head of Sustainability, AIC

Vicky Robinson is head of sustainability at AIC and is leading the trade association's sustainability  work. A 2019 Nuffield Scholar, Vicky was previously technical director at Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF), which followed 22 years working for Natural England and its predecessors on agri-environment delivery, policy development and implementation.

Vicky’s role at AIC includes updating AIC’s Agri-Supply Roadmap for a Sustainable Food Chain, as well as supporting the recently-launched Sustainability Self-Assessment Framework, and helping member businesses with the net zero transition.

Co-chair, North East Cotswold Farm Cluster

Establishing the North East Cotswold farmer cluster in 2021, Tim has facilitated 161 farms to collaborate on projects and exchange knowledge across 48,000ha of the Windrush, Evenlode and Cherwell valleys in the Thames basin.

Projects range from soil carbon analysis to hydrology modelling; abattoir ownership to botanical baselines but the flagship project, Evenlode Landscape Recovery, is drawing together novel approaches to landscape baselining, farmer aggregation, buyer aggregation, a governance structure and investment model to enable blended finance to flow efficiently from key beneficiaries to farmers.

We are indebted to the farmer participation, but also world-renowned research institutions and collaborative stakeholders.

Rural Policy and Strategy Advisor

Emily Norton, LLB (Cantab), MSc is a farmer and an independent strategic advisor for the rural sector, with expertise in natural capital influences on land, food and farming.

She has spent her career working in agriculture, most recently as Head of Rural Research at property consultancy Savills.

Emily holds various board positions, including at Soil Association Exchange, Environmental Markets Board and for the Duchy of Cornwall.

She is also Event Director of Future Countryside, an annual event to raise the profile of the rural voice in national politics. She is a trustee at the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association. Emily lives and farms in Norfolk.

Farmer, EJ Barker & Sons

Patrick Barker is a farmer and naturalist from Westhorpe in Mid-Suffolk. He co-runs his family-owned farm (545ha) and farm contracting business and farm diversification projects including storage units and commercial lets. The family farm is a LEAF Demonstration Farm and formerly an AHDB Strategic Farm. They are past winners of both the Farmers Weekly Countryside Farmer of the Year and FWAG’s Silver Lapwing award. The family business also takes on environmental contracting and farm wildlife advice. Conservation is integral to the farm, they have a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier scheme and Patrick’s ethos is to farm in modern, productive ways while having a farm full of wildlife. Patrick is a Steering Group member for the Nature Friendly Farming Network in England and one of Suffolk’s NFU Environment reps. He is the lead farmer for the recently created High Suffolk Farm Cluster funded by Nestle Purina through LENS with Frontier as the aggregator and a member of the GWCT Lowland Research Steering Group. He is also a BTO licensed bird ringer and ringing trainer and Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project . The farm featured in the 2023 BBC TV programme Saving Our Wild Isles, available on BBC iPlayer.

Soil Scientist, School of Life Sciences, Warwick University

Dr Jackie Stroud is a soil scientist based at the School of Life Sciences, Warwick University. She is widely regarded as the go-to source on farmland earthworm science.

She offers an accessible, inspiring perspective on soil management based on her studies working with farmers on their fields and from her own research field trials.

She is best known for the farmland earthworm survey which was co-developed with 100 farmers over 18 months to check that earthworms are widespread and the earthworm population is functionally intact.

The main practical challenges were confidence in earthworm identification and labour (30 – 60 mins per field). People reported that the outcomes were very useful, and the results showed that litter-feeding earthworms were absent in many fields.

Over the past few years she has been rethinking soil ecological monitoring to overcome the practical challenges reported by farmers. She has partnered with bio-acoustics experts to develop soil acoustic monitoring.

Using a soil microphone, they have found indications that a noisy soil is a healthy soil. During Transition Live, Dr Stroud will be talking about soil health and biology and share the latest advances in soil monitoring.

Export Sales Manager, Claydon

Simon Revell was born into a farming family near Ipswich, Suffolk. He studied engineering at Otley Agricultural College before going on to work for Eastern Counties Farmers as an engineer, later transferring to the sales department.

Simon’s next role was as territory manager at Vicon where he was responsible for launching the MP800 big square baler into the UK.

With a move back into the arable sector, Simon joined Simba International where he was the driving force behind setting up Eco Tillage non-plough crop establishment in the mid 1990s, working with agronomists and scientists to find a way of reducing costs and improving productivity.

Progressing through Simba, Simon became export sales director, during which time he significantly grew the export side of the business.

After the purchase of Great Plains Simba by Kubota, and the decision by Kubota and Kverneland to close Simba in the UK, Simon moved to Claydon Drills in 2018 as part of the senior management team.

Simon runs the export department at Claydon, with the remit of helping the business grow strategically. His specialism is soil and sustainable crop establishment systems.

Head of Sustainable Farming, GWCT’s Allerton Project

Joe Stanley, ARAgS, is an experienced farmer and conservationist and, since 2021, head of sustainable farming at the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust’s Allerton Project, a research and demonstration farm on the Leicestershire/Rutland border which has been investigating sustainable farming and landscape management since 1992.

Joe is also active in the wider agricultural industry, acting as county chair of Leicestershire, Northants and Rutland National Farmers Union (NFU) and sitting on the NFU national Environment Forum.

He is also a trustee of the Henry Plumb Foundation, a charity which helps young people into farming. He is a regular columnist for Farmers Weekly and Countryside among other publications, and author of Farm to Fork: The Challenge of Sustainable Faming in 21st Century Britain released in 2021.

In 2020 he received the NFU’s national Meurig Raymond Award for his industry advocacy, followed by Associateship of the Royal Agricultural Societies in 2022.

A Cambridgeshire farmer with deep roots in regenerative farming, Thomas’s family has farmed regeneratively for the past 15 years.

After founding the UK’s first carbon certification programme for farmers, Thomas joined Agreena in 2021 to help launch the AgreenaCarbon programme across Europe.

AgreenaCarbon now operates in 17 European markets, and Thomas performs the role of UK market lead.

Senior Business Development Consultant, Agricarbon

Tom Sadan is a professional in carbon accounting, project development, and guiding companies towards Net Zero. In his previous tenure, he led the ClimatePartner UK Food, Beverage, and Agriculture team, adeptly navigating new legislation like FSB Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and the Science Based Targets initiative FLAG guidance.

Tom also holds an international Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) and has co-directed a youth charity. At Agricarbon, Tom has a crucial role in helping companies embark on the journey of accurately measuring their soil carbon.

Founder, Wanderlands

Tim was born and grew up in a rural community in Somerset, where close family interests and connections are seated within the agriculture industry.

While family members remained in agriculture, Tim's career took him down the path of international commerce, becoming a well-respected and proven financial services executive.

He’s spent the last 25 years working across numerous markets in Asia. Most recently as group chief commercial and marketing officer for FWD, a pan-Asian insurance brand.

In 2019, Tim led a small team on a trip to the North Pole to take part in a charity marathon for sustainability and climate change awareness.

This powerful experience inspired him to return to his roots and co-found Wanderlands, which has been recognised as Environmental Consultancy of The Year (South West) 2023 by the UK Enterprise Awards and a finalist for Nature-based Project of The Year 2023 by the UK Green Business Awards.

Relationship director, Lombard

Tom works within NatWest Group’s asset finance business, Lombard, where he focuses on the financing of renewables and other energy efficient technologies across various funding structures.   With over 15 years in the bank, he has an in-depth knowledge of the group’s capabilities designed to support the growth in renewables and works closely with colleagues across the bank to provide clients with solutions that meet their needs.

BSc(Hons) MRICS PFIAgrM
Head of farming, Strutt & Parker

Jonathan is a highly experienced farming, rural business and property consultant and manager with over 30 years’ experience as a qualified rural practice chartered surveyor. He has unique experience of leading strategic change in major farming businesses.

Jonathan has a degree in Agriculture from University of Reading and is a qualified chartered surveyor and professional fellow of the Institute of Agricultural Management.

He re-joined Strutt & Parker in 2021 to lead its team of farming consultants having spent 14 years running its farming consultancy in the East Midlands and nine years, after that, leading the agribusiness team at Bidwells.

Jonathan has spent 30 years advising farming and rural property businesses on behalf of private individuals, family trusts and investment funds. He has acquired a considerable breadth of knowledge in these roles which is key for our clients entering a significant period of change.

Exeter University

Matt Lobley is a rural social scientist, with over 30 years of research experience, drawing primarily on the disciplines of rural sociology and geography.

His research largely focuses on understanding influences on, and impacts of, farm household behaviour.

His main interests relate to the role of farm households in the management of the countryside; for example, through exploring the impact of policy reform; attitudes towards agri-environmental policy; and the environmental and social impacts of agricultural restructuring.

One of his main areas of expertise is in the mental health and wellbeing of farm households and family life cycle and succession issues on family farms. Beyond agriculture and the environment, other research interests include the design and impact of rural development initiatives and, more broadly, the social sustainability of rural communities.

Chartered financial planner, NFU Mutual

Sean is a chartered financial planner, with 30 years’ experience advising farmers and business owners on inheritance tax and pension planning, and has a wealth of expertise in maximising the available tax reliefs and avoiding the pitfalls.

Sean’s advice is regularly featured in national media including The Times, The Telegraph and Financial Times.

Farm Carbon Toolkit

Liz is the chief executive of the Farm Carbon Toolkit (FCT). FCT was set up by farmers over a decade ago to further the understanding of greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture and to support farmers to reduce their emissions.

Chief adviser, Renewable Energy and Climate Change, NFU

Since 2007, Dr Jonathan Scurlock FRSA has led on analysis and advice about energy, climate change and net zero to the NFU's management, office holders and members.

His background is in university and government research, covering energy and climate policy, plant physiology, bioenergy and other renewables. He was educated at Oxford and London, and is a visiting fellow at the Open University.

Bluebell Farms Ltd / Abacus Agriculture / AHDB / IFA/RASE

An arable farmer in Cambridgeshire and Rutland with the UK’s best-known commercial agroforestry system, Stephen started his career as a soil scientist and was lead consultant for Abacus Agri for 25 years, providing farm business consultancy throughout the UK and internationally.

He then moved on to become head of technical development at Innovation for Agriculture/Rase, as well as a non-executive director of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

He has previously worked for DFID, FAO, the World Bank and multiple private companies in Africa, India and China. On top of this, he was a Nuffield Farming scholar, Bullock Award winner in 2020 and Farmers Weekly Arable Farmer of the Year and Farming Innovator 2021 finalist.

Head of technical for UK and IE

Stuart has been involved in the crop protection business for over 33 years. During this tim, he has undertaken various technical roles primarily focused on the development of cereal herbicides and cereal fungicides.

More latterly, he joined UPL to lead its technical team and further develop its position in the crop protection industry with an emphasis on biological products under the banner of natural plant protection (NPP).

Partner, Small Bros

James is a third-generation farmer, married with two children and a partner in a mixed and diversified family farm business in Somerset.

He farms just under 500 hectares on a range of owned and tenanted land in a combination of environmental agreements. He has two main farming enterprises, a 1,400 head sheep flock managed on an ‘easy care’ system lambing outdoors in May, and a closed herd of 80 spring calving cows using Hybrid genetics.

Complementary to the farming operations is a glamping business of both luxury canvas lodges and wooden lodges, hosting holidays, weddings and festival events.

Senior land manager - South East, Environment Bank

Rory is a qualified chartered surveyor and agricultural valuer having trained as a rural surveyor before joining Environment Bank. As a land manager, Rory is responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with land owners looking to create Habitat Banks on their land.

Working closely with the Environment Bank ecologists Rory manages sites from initial registration through to live Habitat Banks.

Head of natural capital at Knepp and nature-based solutions manager at Hampton Estate

Molly is head of natural capital at Knepp, one the UK’s pioneering rewilding projects. She also works part time at Hampton Estate, a diversified family-run rural business in Surrey, where she leads nature-based solutions and community engagement.

She facilitates the Upper Adur Farming Cluster in Sussex, is a columnist for Farmers Weekly and an ambassador for Leaf Open Farm Sunday.

Molly is passionate about the future of regenerative food systems, nature-based solutions and scaling green finance.

Principle consultant, Kite Consulting

Tanya has worked in East Anglia as a dairy business consultant for almost 30 years.

Tanya currently works with a range of agribusiness mainly in East Anglia, but also in Jersey. She manages the East Midlands sub-team and chairs the Nutrition Network.

Her areas of expertise are in nutritional and technical consultancy she also undertakes farm business and financial management for a number of her clients.

Agronomist, Agrovista

Ben Knight is an arable agronomist at Agrovista, covering Worcestershire and Herefordshire.

Raised on a farm, Ben's extensive experience in mixed farming, farm management, and trials work, he offers tailored solutions to enhance productivity and sustainability.

Known for his hands-on approach and strategic insights, he's a trusted agronomist empowering farmers to navigate challenges and capitalise on SFI opportunities to optimise crop yields.

Account executive, Howden

Having originally practised as rural chartered surveyor in Oxfordshire, Freddie took his understanding of farm and estate risk to the insurance market.

He placed insurance for clients all over the South West until recently, when he moved to the Scottish Borders. His focus is now supporting those through the Scottish Border, Northumberland, and Cumbria.

His specialism remains farm and estate risks; however, with the pressures facing the farming economy, placing cover for, advising on diversified risks, and changing businesses is a large part of his work too.

Technical manager, Hutchinsons

Involved in farming from early teens with a mixed arable and dairy background in Bedfordshire, Dick Neale trained and worked as an agricultural engineer from 1978-84 before going on to work in trials and farm management at Velcourt Plc.

In 1995, he joined Hutchinsons, taking on the role of technical manager two years later. Since 2010 he has focused more and more of his time on the research and application of the cultural control elements of weed control and the effects on soil structure, soil health and increasingly the effects on crop nutrition and ultimate yield.

His role increasingly focuses on bringing multiple elements of agronomy and farm management together with predictive, measured and precision techniques.

Beef and sheep consultant, Liz Genever Consulting

Liz is a beef and sheep systems consultant. She is a third-generation farmer in Lincolnshire and is transitioning the family mixed farm towards a more regenerative and biological approach.

She has a strong technical background and works with beef and sheep farmers across the UK. Her knowledge covers livestock production, grazing systems and sustainable farming techniques.

She co-founded Carbon Calling CIC, which is building a community of farmers who support and learn from one another to make their farm and themselves healthier and happier. The annual Carbon Calling conference is becoming renowned for its atmosphere and learning experiences.

Bayer CropScience

Ben Bell is a digital activation specialist with Bayer. Based in Louth, Lincolnshire, Ben works within the Bayer FieldView team, helping farmers and agronomists unlock farm data to enhance farm and field performance using the FieldView digital platform.

Ben has an HNC in Agricultural Engineering from De Montfort University and more than 20 years’ experience in the field of agricultural technology, farm data and analytics having previously held roles with Claas and Agco.

He sees developments in data compatibility and interoperability, such as Bayer’s recently announced strategic collaboration with Microsoft, as key to utilising data to farm smarter.

Barenbrug UK

With almost 30 years’ experience in the seed sector, combining a qualification in agri-food science with experience gained on his own farm in Northern Ireland, David offers a wealth of practical and technical knowledge.

David is a well-known figure across Northern Ireland and is the current president of the Ulster Grassland Society. His local knowledge of the farming scene in Northern Ireland is second to none.

Leaf (Linking Environment And Farming)

David joined Leaf as chief executive officer in September 2023. Before this, he was director of sustainability and external affairs for the UK grocery division of Associated British Foods (ABF) and joined ABF via Jordans (Cereals) Ltd.

He worked closely with founders Bill and David Jordan to publicise the Jordans breakfast cereal brand and its longstanding commitment to wildlife-friendly farming.

Jordans was acquired by ABF in 2008 and David subsequently went on to lead sustainability for the Jordans & Ryvita Company, before being promoted to the position of divisional director in 2017.

He was closely involved in the formation of the highly respected Jordans Farm Partnership, through which he worked alongside longstanding farm suppliers to the Jordans business together with Leaf, the Wildlife Trusts and The Prince’s Countryside Fund.

Fe Morris works as a land use adviser for the Forestry Commission. She also manages her family’s organic smallholding in North Suffolk where she focusses on traditional woodland management practices and products such as hazel coppice, hedge-laying and fruit-tree grafting and propagation.

Fe coordinates Suffolk Tree Warden Network’s community tree nursery scheme, which has seen over 40 community tree nurseries spring up around Suffolk since Autumn 2020.

She is a trained ecologist and recognises the importance of integrating farming and conservation to ensure sustainable and local food production, as well as a thriving ecosystem.

UK Agri-Tech Centre

Helen has worked extensively across both research and development and knowledge exchange organisations, complemented by experience in the commercial sectors of the agricultural industry.

She is passionate about bringing the industry together to collaborate and drive the adoption of innovation, moving the actions and behaviours of the industry forward to face the critical challenges and create opportunities and solutions to overcome them and for the industry to thrive.

Kings Crops Sustainable Farming Advisor

Jim Egan is a sustainable farming adviser for Frontier Agriculture’s specialist crops and environmental land management business, Kings Crops.

Jim joined Kings in 2019, working across the whole agricultural supply chain while also providing farm-gate support.

He shares technical advice and recommendations across a range of both government and private funding schemes and helps with the practical delivery of environmental options on farms and estates, supporting growers to incorporate good environmental management alongside commercial farming to meet a range of biodiversity and business objectives.

For over 20 years, Jim has also worked closely with Defra on the development and delivery of agri-environment schemes in England.

Before Kings, he worked with the Game and Wildlife Trust’s Allerton Project as head of training and development, where he also helped to establish the Big Farmland Bird Count.

Prior to that, Jim worked as technical director for the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group.

Albert Goodman

Kate joined Albert Goodman in 2009 but took a four-year break from to be a director of a smaller, agriculturally focused South West accountancy practice before rejoining Albert Goodman in 2020 as a partner.

Kate works with farms and diverse rural businesses across the whole of the South West.

With a background in arable, where she spent many summers on a tractor, and now with her husband being a dairy farmer, these are two sectors close to her heart.

For over 20 years, Jim has also worked closely with Defra on the development and delivery of agri-environment schemes in England.

As well as dairy and arable, Kate enjoys helping farming families of all shapes, sizes, and sectors plan for their long-term future, providing both commercial, business, and strategic tax advice.

Kate has involvement in the agriculture industry, not just by working with her agricultural clients, but is engaged with various agricultural charities and farming discussion groups.

Head of sustainability, Velcourt Ltd

Nick Down is the head of sustainability for Velcourt Ltd, who directly manage 57,000 hectares and provide advice in both the arable and livestock sectors across the UK.

With over 17 years of farm management experience, Nick also oversees the farming operation of the Yattendon Estate in west Berkshire.

The farm is going through a transition to a more sustainable farming system, incorporating more space for nature and enhancing carbon sequestration under an ambitious environmental delivery program.

The farm is a member of the upper Pang farmer cluster and is also part of the Leaf demonstration farm network.

John Innes Centre

Simon is the Delivering Sustainable Wheat programme leader at John Innes Centre.

JRG Johnson

Stuart Johnson runs a family tenanted farming business with his parents and brother. It is a predominately livestock-based business that has the capacity to grow home-used arable and cover crops.

They began experimenting with some lower input farming methods in 2012. Initially it was purely for financial reasons, as there was not much thought for the social or environmental benefits at the time.

The family just wanted to make sure, as a business, they are as resilient as possible going forward, reducing their exposure and reliance on external parties or inputs.

After varying levels of success, they fully embraced a regenerative farming model in 2018. This has led to a reduction in nearly all variable costs, hopefully without over sacrificing yields, while working with nature and the environment.

They believe they are more resilient to price changes and weather extremes and, in an industry that has seen hugely aggressive swings of late, they are hoping this can only be positive.

Edward Vipond is the third generation to farm in Suffolk and manages Troston Farms near Bury St Edmunds.

Edward attended Moulton Collage and Aberdeen SAC thereafter working for Velcourt for fourteen years across the east of England.

A spell in Gloucestershire followed, managing what turned into two estates in the county and two in Scotland before returning to Suffolk.

Edward completed a Nuffield Scholarship in 2004 travelling across Australia, North America and Europe.

Troston Farms spans 1500ha spread across 22 miles with soil types ranging from heavy clay to blowing Breckland sand.

The farm grows a range of combinable crops including milling and feed wheat, milling rye, sugar beet, forage maize, beans and more recently sunflowers.

Spread across the farming business are two Countryside Stewardship schemes spanning over 50 hectares which include habitats for ground nesting birds, rare arable weeds and many other species of flora and fauna.

The most recent environmental addition is becoming a pilot farm for the Sustainable Farming Incentive.

With a background of practical farming experience and eighteen years of farm management consultancy, Rob ensures significant technical advice  adds value to clients’ businesses, making them resilient for their future success.

Rob heads up the farming department in the Strutt & Parker Stamford office. Specialising in farm management, business structures, subsidy and stewardship opportunities Rob's knowledge allows him to understand client requirements whilst implementing the best practice for that individual business, always looking to meet client's direction of travel, be it economic, environmental or wider goals.

Prior to joining Strutt & Parker in 2007, Rob was farm manager on farms in Bedfordshire and Suffolk carrying out the day-to-day management of farms following a degree from Harper Adams. He is also a partner in the family farming business in Northamptonshire.

Matthew Ryan is regeneration lead for Nestlé UK & Ireland and is responsible for delivering Nestlé’s regenerative agriculture targets for the UK and Ireland market.

Nestlé has been instrumental in the development of landscape enterprise networks (LENs), a collaborative programme which links businesses with dependencies on resilient landscapes with farmers and land managers that can deliver meaningful environmental outcomes on the ground.

Nestlé has supported the development of farm clusters through the LENs project and strongly believes that supporting grassroots initiatives is key to widespread adoption of nature-friendly farming at scale.

Declan joined Lightsource bp in June 2021 as a senior development manager focusing on building the greenfield pipeline and transmission site development as part of the Lightsource bp ambition of 25GW by 2025.

Declan also brought a strong BESS development track record to help widen the markets Lightsource bp are active in.

Prior to Lightsource bp, Declan had worked in land management in protected areas then, following a period in consultancy, Declan took a role as land manager and development director at Lark Power. That was followed by a short period as Development Manager in the UK for Trina.

Declan has a postgraduate diploma in rural practice surveying and brings a wide knowledge of agriculture, conservation land management and landowner liaison to his wider renewable development experience.

Andrew is an award-winning farmer from Northamptonshire, a past director of the Oxford Farming Conference and founding director of Camgrain Northampton.

He has spoken at conferences in Europe and USA, influencing UK environmental policy multiple times. The family farm is the first Hutchinsons’ Helix technology development farm, as well as leading in sustainable intensification for BASF’s European farms network, and has proven conclusively that both crop and environmental production can go hand in hand.

Andrew completed the Worshipful Company of Farmers Advanced Business Management course in 1998, which changed his business, and the Institute of Agricultural Management Leadership Development Programme in 2012, which changed his life.

Johnny Wake is managing partner of Courteenhall Farms, an 1,800-acre diversified rural business on the south side of Northampton.

He returned to the family business 10 years ago following a career in medicine. Since then, with an initial focus on financial resilience, he has led it from predominantly conventional arable to a regenerative approach with a significant change in rotation. This has included putting more than 60% of the farm into stewardship. He has also restructured machinery to further reduce risk.

New enterprises include poultry production, commercial property, renewable energy and low-input beef with native breeds on the parkland, while the house and grounds host functions and events. 

Creating opportunities for the local community is an important element in Johnny’s approach, supporting educational programmes, charities and facilities.Johnny is also the chair of the Environmental Farmers Group Central England cell and sits on the Country Land and Business Association (CLA)’s policy committee and the wildlife, farms and estates’ committee.

Joe joined MHA in 2017 to continue his speciality of advising agricultural businesses which he has been doing since 2005.

Progressing to a partner in 2020, Joe continues to build the sector profile across the firm, advising clients primarily in the family/owner-managed business space on all matters relating to agriculture and rural business.

Robert is an experienced farm business consultant with over 30 years’ experience in providing advice across all farm types. He has worked for a number of national firms during his career before joining GSC Grays in 2017 to lead the farm business services team.

Robert provides technical, business, and strategic advice to farmers and growers across the North of England covering all aspects of the modern farm business.

Robert heads the largest team of dedicated farm consultants in the region along with providing advice to clients.

Alongside being a fully qualified agronomist he also manages a number of large in-hand farming businesses for clients. In addition, he provides advice across areas including farm business reviews, contract/share farming agreements, regenerative farming, and machinery planning.

Robert also provides advice to clients on all aspects of the agricultural transition plan and how businesses will need to change over the next few years.

Robin joined Lightsource bp in 2020 as a member of the UK and Ireland development team and is now a senior development manager, responsible for developing solar and energy storage projects across five countries.

With extensive experience in project development across multiple technologies, Robin works with landowners, consultants and key stakeholders on progressing the company’s UK and Irish pipeline.

Michael is a farm manager from Shropshire who was a Soil Farmer of the Year finalist in 2020, Farmers Weekly farm manger of the year finalist, CPM climate change champion 2022 and a 2024 OFC Inspire delegate.His zero-till arable crops are grown with a focus on plant health and minimising synthetic inputs. Biology, manure, cover crops and correct nutrition allow him to farm this way.

He grows a diverse range of combinable crops including milling wheat, malting barley, and quinoa among others. Farming operations extend to 1,700 acres on a mixture of land owned, contract farmed and grazing licenses.

700 ewes are lambed outdoors, with all lamb sales going to a local farm shop. All lamb is fed on diverse forage grown on the farm, with no concentrates being used across the flock.

Michael's farming methods have encouraged regeneration of his soils, with organic matter increasing and the farm sequestering a significant amount of carbon.

Regular bird ringing is done on farm and is an excellent indicator of the flourishing biodiversity on the farm.

Michael is a co-founder of The Green Farm Collective, a farmer-owned company set up to trade natural capital, transfer knowledge and trade regeneratively farmed produce.