More than 180 forward-thinking farmers gathered at the NatWest Conference Centre in Bishopsgate, East London recently for AHDB's fifth annual AgriLeader Forum. The flagship event is part of the AgriLeader programme, which focuses on leadership, growth and resilience for farming businesses.

The event gave farmers a chance to learn from experts in leadership and management, as well as hearing from a panel discussion including a farmer and consultant, a banker and a former vet and lawyer who now runs an agritech company. However, a big part of the AgriLeader Forum's success is due to the networking opportunities, where farmers can discuss with peers how to implement the learnings back on their own farm.

Izak van Heerden, Senior Knowledge Exchange Manager, said:

"The AgriLeader programme is designed to support farmers who want to improve their business's performance through enhanced leadership. This event brings together people who have a real interest in improving their own performance and that of their team, by taking bold decisions and embracing new ways of working."

This year's theme was 'Aspire, Advance, Achieve.' Attendees were challenged by three motivational speakers to make continual, small improvements in their lives and work that would result in big changes; to be bold, move out of their comfort zone and try something new; to lead by example and make the most of their team's diverse contributions – and not to fear failure, but embrace the knowledge it brings.

The speakers were: 

• Kat Thorne, founder of the Morning Game Changer, a former global commercial director and CEO who now works with organisations and individuals around the world to help them create one small, positive habit change that helps them be more resilient, healthier, happier and achieve more at work.

• Gemma Krasucka, Head of Learning and Development at Leicester City Football Club, who is a personal trainer and performance coach in addition to her day job. With more than 20 years' experience, Gemma specialises in helping people realise their potential, as well as creating and maintaining 'followship' – adopting the goals and visions of the leader and working towards them together.

• Anna Mosley, high performance coach, founder of Eighty growth academy and master in neuro-linguistic programming. With a previous career in corporate leadership and extensive experience in mental health, Anna upskills business owners and their teams to drive a culture for success.

Taking part in the panel discussion, entitled 'Seizing the Opportunity,' were:

·       Sarah Bell, mixed farmer in Rutland and independent Agrifood consultant

·       Ian Burrow, Head of Agriculture at NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank

·       Matt Dobbs, founder and CEO of the livestock-monitoring Agri -Tech business Agsenze.

Each panel member spoke about their own experiences and offered advice based on these. Questions from the audience covered a wide range of subjects, including: how banks decide who to lend to, how to create values in a family farm that gain everyone's support, the potential for use of AI within the agriculture industry, the value of Nuffield Scholarships and other, similar programmes – and even the panel's 'best book' recommendation.

Hosted by NatWest, the Forum took place over two days, with an evening reception and dinner at The Skyline, Tower Suites, sponsored by Agri-Tech. Almost 70% of the audience were attending the event for the first time.

Attendees said they found the sessions engaging and energising and left with innovative ideas and a renewed sense of purpose.

Ffion Rhys, whose family farm is in Carmarthenshire, South West Wales, said:

"I came because I think it's very important for everyone in the industry to develop themselves, and I saw things in the itinerary that attracted me. All the speakers were great, and I've taken something from each and every one of them."

The main change that Ffion has been inspired to make on her return home is to have conversations about planning for the future, rather than just concentrating on the day-to-day.

Would she come back to AgriLeader Forum?

"Oh yes – definitely!" 

For more information about AgriLeader, visit https://ahdb.org.uk/agrileader, or contact: 

Izak van Heerden: izak.vanheerden@ahdb.org.uk 

Mark Campbell: Mark.Campbell@ahdb.org.uk