Upcoming Events
The events listed below are the events happening in the current chairman’s tenure. As soon as the next years events become available they will be added to the schedule.
Tom Bradshaw – NFU President
Tom Bradshaw - NFU President Tom farms in partnership with his wife, Emily, and his parents in North Essex. Alongside a small owned farm they run a larger contract farming business growing a range of combinable crops across 950 hectares in North East Essex. The home farm is based around arable production but has also diversified into equestrian and renewables. Tom has represented the NFU from Local Branch Chairman through to Chair of the National Combinable Crops Board. Tom was elected to the position of NFU President in February 2024. Guest recommendation - Partners
Speaker: Tom Bradshaw President NFU Date: 6th February 2025
Derek Wilkinson – Sandfield/G’s Senegal
Derek Wilkinson - Sandfield/G's Senegal Managing Director Sandfields Farms Ltd, growing salads and vegetables in the UK and Africa. NFU Hort and Potatoes Board, BBC rural affairs committee. Guest recommendation - Global guests and Next Generation
Speaker: Derek Wilkinson Date: 27th February 2025Past Events
You can find details of all past events and speakers listed below. If further details are needed about any of the speakers please contact the secretary.
Antony Murphy – Founder Beefy Boys
Antony Murphy - Founder Beefy Boys The co-founder of Hereford-based burger slingers The Beefy Boys Guest recommendation - Next Generation
Speaker: Antony Murphy Date: 12th December 2024
Judith Batchelar OBE – Food Matters International, ex Sainsbury’s
Judith Batchelar OBE - Food Matters International, ex Sainsbury's Deputy Chair, The Environment Agency, Honorary President, British Nutrition Foundation & Former Director of Brand, Sainsbury's Judith is a Biochemist, nutritionist, has an Honorary Doctorate in Agriculture from Harper Adams University, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST), the Royal Society of Arts and Manufactures (RSA) and a liveryman at The Worshipful Company of Butchers. Judith started her career in pharmaceuticals and teaching before finding her true vocation in food and farming. She worked in the food and drink industry for over 35 years starting in manufacturing at Bass and Mars, before moving into retail at Marks and Spencer. From 2004 to 2021 she worked for Sainsbury’s as Director of Sainsbury’s Brand driving the Product Quality and Innovation agendas, with responsibility for all aspects of Sainsbury’s customer offer, along with Corporate Responsibility, Sustainability, and Public Affairs. Today Judith is Deputy Chair of The Environment Agency, Honorary President of the British Nutrition Foundation, and now sits on the Natural Environment Research Council and the European Advisory Council of The Nature Conservancy, she is also Chair of both The Rugby Players Association and North Highland Products. Judith is a Non-Executive Director of Monaghan Mushrooms and Daemon, sits on the Board of Directors of MicroSalt, and is a Trustee of The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Accounting for Sustainability and The Matt Hampson Foundation. Judith is an ambassador for the Woodland Trust and Farm Africa. Guest recommendation - Partners
Speaker: Judith Batchelar OBE Date: 14th November 2024
Professor Simon Pearson, Lincoln University – Ag tech, robotics, AI
Professor Simon Pearson, Lincoln University - Ag tech, robotics, AI Founding Director of LIAT, The Lincoln Institute of Agri Food Technology. Responsible for developing the agri food technology research platform for the The University. The role includes external networking and interaction with funders, and then the internal development of cross disciplinary solutions to industry issues. The key engaged Schools within the University include Engineering, Computer Science, The Business School, Life Sciences and the National Centre for Food Manufacturing. Key research themes include agricultural robotics, digital technology to underpin the food supply chain, greenhouse engineering, sustainable farming systems, agri-food manufacturing and productivity. Former MD and prior to that Commercial Director (2005 to 2014) of Winchester Growers Ltd, Europe's largest grower of cut flowers, sold into UK supermarkets. Former Produce Technologist (1998 to 2005) for Marks and Spencer plc, focussing on the cut flower and plant category. Former Lecturer in Horticulture (1992 to 1998), The University of Reading, c. 100 publications, 12 completed PhD students. Research focussed on a range of horticultural produce and ornamental crops. Guest recommendation - Science and Technical teams from businesses
Speaker: Professor Simon Pearson Date: 31st October 2024
Wyard Stomp – Senior VP and Managing Director of Driscolls of Europe the Middle East and Africa
The final speaker of this winter’s series is well worth the required change of advance date from Thursday 21st March to Wednesday 20th March. Wyard Stomp completes my theme of international interest. He brings senior comparison of the USA, Europe, and U.K. to our door. A year ago, Wyard Stomp was responsible for marketing $4bn of fruit to USA and Canada’s retailers. He is now Senior VP and Managing Director of Driscolls of Europe the Middle East and Africa, a mere €1bn, about a third of this in the U.K. He is brilliantly placed therefore to see the differences. He has hugely illuminating and important views of our UK supermarket systems, and how they and we could all do better. It is a privilege to have him speak and having just been to the City Food Lecture last night, addressed by the CEO of Sainsbury, I hope he is on that stage next. Following the success of the invitations of partners to the talk on Indonesian palm oil, and then youth last time, on this occasion I encourage you to please invite professionals who are associated with our industry, particularly in the supply chain to supermarkets, but they could include banks or suppliers. They deserve appreciation and recognition by the club also. Please call now a couple of professional people you know who would appreciate having their thinking challenged, or being given new perspectives from abroad, toward our supermarkets’ ability to change, across all sectors of supply.
Speaker: Wyard Stomp Date: 21st March 2024
John Berry
“Bigger than AI” : Biosciences. What are they? Will they really change the future of food for the next generation? Our energising speaker is John Berry, a farmer’s son originally from Devon, now chair of a number of innovation companies, including the innovation and enterprise centre on Aberystwyth University’s new £40m campus; a marketing company Cognition; the Scudamore family’s Galebreaker and recently Arborea biosciences through its start up. Arborea has been featured widely in the national papers for its groundbreaking development of microalgae, blue-green algae, and diatoms. There are over 5,000 known bioactive compounds and functional proteins selected from 50,000 known species, with scientists estimating around 500,000 species yet to be discovered. - while of course we live on about 10 species at present. Potatoes, rice, wheat, soya.. I think John told me that from an area the size of Malta we could produce enough protein to feed the planet, absorbing huge quantities of CO2, thereafter, allowing farmers to go on permanent holiday and land go back to nature. John has a nose for the new and exciting.
Speaker: John Berry Date: 22nd February 2024
Bruce Tozer
'The challenges of large-scale agricultural commodity production in Brazil and Indonesia. Can palm oil or soybean production ever be sustainable?’ Bruce is a Dorset cereal farmer’s son who flew up the ranks of Raba Bank, posted to Latin America and Asia, eventually reporting to the chairman on M&A. When asked how did you pull that off as a farmer boy he said seeing and saying things in a straightforward common sense manner is surprisingly rare and valued amongst even senior global bankers. With vision he always plays down he then became Managing Director at JP Morgan focused very early on carbon markets before they had really got going (18 years ago), purchasing a portfolio of carbon companies. He then had an unfortunately timed attempt in 2007 to set up his own bank with friends in which he was to be the global ag lead. He is now a PLC board director and of some smaller companies, specialising in global agriculture.
Speaker: Bruce Tozer Date: 25th January 2024
Richard Mills
The Middle East is another very rapidly changing, fascinating part of the world and obviously highly topical right now with the sides being taken around Gaza. Saudi is at the cutting edge of massive investment in management of water and heat as the government tries to encourage more food security, from the desert. Far different to Herefordshire, but didn’t we have 39oC for a few days in 2022 and haven’t we the odd water problem? Richard Mills knows the Middle East very well and its perception of the future, having lived there for 10 years. He looks forward to going back there to live when his children are older “I really like the Arabs”. He is an excellent speaker.
Speaker: Richard Mills Date: 14th December 2023
Andrew Hunt
Andrew’s life and career in the London advertising industry had seemed a success story until he suffered an unexpected breakdown, spiralling into unemployment and clinical depression. Looking back, he is always grateful for this dark night of the soul, as it led him to The Gambia, where he lived for four years, working in a farming enterprise. It was during this time that he woke up to his health, his purpose, and the transformative power of natural superfoods. Andrew met his co-founder Nick through their mutual passion for baobab, which they both believed had a unique and inspiring potential: to improve people’s health while transforming the lives and ecosystems of communities in Africa. In 2012, inspired by this model, they co-founded Aduna. Aduna is one of the original pioneers of the industry, blazing the trails in superfood nutrition and sustainable sourcing. “Aduna means life or world in Wolof, the language of The Gambia & Senegal, where our superfood story began. It speaks to the connection between all living things; an expanded philosophy of wellness which is at the heart of everything we do.” https://aduna.com/
Speaker: Andrew Hunt - CEO & Co-Founder of Aduna Date: 9th November 2023
Shivani Singhal & Ian Williams
Shivani is an Oxford grad and a daughter of an Indian business empire spanning transport, agriculture, pesticides, mining, electricity (eg https://www.securemeters.com/), and architecture. Her father conducted the first Indian acquisition of a British business, symbolic of a part of the future? Shivani herself leads a very significant family foundation ( http://dharohar.org/ ) seeking to improve the lives of communities in which the business operates, tackling that biggest of frightening challenges of the divide between the rich and the increasingly informed poor - in a part of the world in which it cannot be hidden from. She serves on the governing body of Ian Williams’ Caplor Horizons (https://www.caplorhorizons.org), guiding the leadership and strategy facilitation that Ian and his team of ex CEO’s and highly eminent people provides to charities and businesses locally to Herefordshire and internationally - Ian is all over the world.
Speaker: Shivani Singhal & Ian Williams Date: 19th October 2023
David Christensen
Arla Foods Regional Advisory Board Chairman. David runs family business Kingston Hill Farm, consisting of 530ha with beef and dairy enterprises, focusing on producing 5 million litres of milk annually. 6.45 pm for 7.15 pm
Speaker: David Christenson Date: 16th March 2023
Ben Taylor Davies
Regen Ben – Regenerative Agriculture. Nuffield Scholar, Oxford Farming Conference Director. 6.45 pm for 7.15 pm
Speaker: Ben Taylor Davies Date: 21st February 2023
Dame Kate Bingham
Chair of UK Government’s Vaccine Taskforce during COVID-19 pandemic. 6.45 pm for 7.15 pm
Speaker: Dame Kate Bingham Date: 13th January 2023
Matthew Naylor
Managing Director of Naylors Flowers Limited. Naylor Flowers grows over 50 million stems of cut flowers for supermarkets in the UK and mainland Europe, as well as packing and supplying bulbs. They also grow 2000 tonnes of potatoes. 6.45pm for 7.15 pm
Speaker: Matthew Naylor Date: 20th December 2022
Charles Ireland
Nicknamed ‘Cheerful Charlie’ on the highly successful show Clarkson’s Farm. Agricultural consultant for Strutt & Parker for over 20 years, now Managing Partner for Ceres Rural. 6.45 pm for 7.15 pm
Speaker: Charles Ireland - Land Agent Date: 22nd November 2022
Trevor Tyrell
Senior Vice President Western Europe CLAAS Group. Trevor has spent over 30 years within CLAAS Group, working his way up from Product Manager when he joined in 1989 to CEO in 2011. 6.45 pm for 7.15 pm
Speaker: Trevor Tyrell Date: 1st November 2022
Chairman’s Summer Reception
Richard and Jane Williams request the pleasure of your company for a summer reception at The Mynde Much Dewchurch Herefordshire HR2 8DN, by kind permission of Mr and Mrs Richard Burt. Husbands, wives, and partners warmly welcomed. 6.30pm - 8.30pm Drinks & Canapes. RSVP by 12th June gina@quanfarming.co.uk
Date: 23rd June 2022
John Reed
We were extremely grateful to John Reed past Agricultural Director of Avara Foods agreeing to speak at short notice due to David Neilson having to cancel after a positive Covid test. David Neilson is Agricultural Director of Avara Foods and will no doubt be well known to several members of the Club. David started work as a 16-year-old in a Turkey Factory packing Turkeys for Christmas. He subsequently attended University and graduated with a degree in Environmental Technology. Following University David worked on a Turkey Breeder Farm, and this affirmed his desire to have a career in the Poultry Industry. David is very much a self-made man who has done most roles in Agriculture over the years. He has a detailed knowledge of the Poultry Industry and is highly regarded by his many connections
Speaker: John Reed Date: 24th March 2022
Nick Evans
Nick Evans is Managing Director and Co Founder of Oxbury Bank. Oxbury was founded in January 2021 as a new specialist Agricultural Bank offering loan and savings products. Designed with 100% farmer focus, this bank and its products have been built with the specific aim of benefiting farmers and offering straightforward lending and savings products tailored to their needs. Oxbury has substantial financial backing including from companies such as Frontier Agriculture and Hutchinson's. Over the past year Oxbury have taken the agricultural loan market by storm and are providing strong competition to all the traditional lenders. Nick will be giving a general talk about the formation of Oxbury and their aims and aspirations and how he sees the future for agricultural finance.
Speaker: Nick Evans Date: 24th February 2022
Quentin Letts
Quentin Letts originated from Gloucestershire and boarded at The Elms School, Colwall. He studied at Trinity College, Dublin and Jesus College, Cambridge. Since 1987 Quentin has written for several British Newspapers including The Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail. He now writes for The Times where he is a specialist Parliamentary Correspondent. Quentin regularly appears on Television and Radio and is also a renowned Theatre Critic. In recent years Quentin has published several books including 50 People who Buggered up Britain: Bog Standard Britain and The Speakers Wife. Acclaimed Journalist and Author now writing for The Times.
Speaker: Quentin Letts Date: 20th January 2022
Martin Thatcher
Thatcher's Cider is a family owned cider maker based in Sandford, Somerset. The Company was founded by William Thatcher in 1902, Martin Thatcher took over as Managing Director from his father John in 1992. Since becoming Managing Director, Martin has driven consistent growth across the company maintaining a firm focus on the issues that are core to the company’s philosophy – heritage, family values, sustainability, provenance and expertise. The firm’s flagship brand GOLD is the country’s fastest selling draught cider. Thatchers Cider is sold in over 22 countries worldwide. In 2005 Martin was awarded the coveted Nuffield Farming Trust Scholarship. Martin lives on the family farm with his wife and their two children, Eleanor and Peter.
Speaker: Martin Thatcher Date: 16th December 2021
Eddie Butler
Eddie Butler was educated at Monmouth School following which he read Modern Languages at Cambridge University. He excelled at several sports but pursued Rugby and obtained three Blues whilst at Cambridge. Eddie was a member of the famous Pontypool Rugby Team in the 1980's and went on to play and also Captain Wales on many occasions. It has been said that he was the most intelligent person to Captain his national side. After his rugby career Eddie took up a career in journalism where he has been equally successful. As well as being a regular correspondent for the Guardian, Eddie has also become a renowned and highly respected Rugby commentator with the BBC. Eddie is well known for his charitable work and in September 2022 is heading an expedition to Machu Picchu in Peru in aid or Prostate Cymru.
Speaker: Eddie Butler Date: 25th November 2021
Her Grace The Duchess of Rutland
Chief Executive Officer of Belvoir Castle Emma Watkins is a farmers daughter who was brought up on a family farm on the Welsh Borders. After working in Estate Agency she set up an interior design business based in Ross-on-Wye. She subsequently met David, The Marquis of Granby, whom she married in 1992. She became the Duchess of Rutland in 1999. Today the Duchess runs the commercial activities of Belvoir Castle which includes an out of town retail centre. She has recently created a podcast titled Duchess, where she interviews chatelaines of Castles and Stately homes throughout the United Kingdom.
Speaker: Her Grace The Duchess of Rutland. Date: 21st October 2021
Chairman’s Summer Dinner and AGM
Mrs Jo Hilditch At Home Tuesday 21st September 2021 HEREFORD SHIRE AGRICULTURAL CLUB SUMMER DINNER Husbands, wives and partners warmly welcomed 6.30pm Drinks & Dinner (Avoid heels!) RSVP by 1st September gina@quanfarming.co.uk The Whittern, Lyonshall, HR5 3JA
Date: 21st September 2021
Jo’s Italian Tour (7 – 11 June 2021) CANCELLED due to Covid19 pandemic
A large group of us will be going to the Maremma area of Tuscany where we will see how the agriculturalists of a different part of Europe are growing different crops under supposedly the same EU commercial culture. This will included vineyards, mozzarella, olive groves, fruit and veg production as well of course as drinking and eating plenty of local products. Coronavirus permitting although I very much hope it will go ahead as Italy will need a custom, not least at our hotel.
Date: 7th June 2021
Chairman’s Dinner POSTPONED to 21st September 2021
Dinner at The Whittern, Lyonshall, HR5 3JA. All welcome from 6.30pm. There will be no tour this year as everyone knows about chickens, fruit and renewables but this will be a good opportunity for an end of Ag Club season catch up. The gavel (and bag of ties) will be passed to Richard Williams.
Date: 25th June 2020
Liz Bowles
Liz is Head of Farming at the Soil Association. Liz is a well versed speaker and will talk about the challenges facing us down the road with climate change, the importance of sustainability in farming and the regulatory pressures on all farmers. She presents a well balanced view about organic and conventional farming.
Speaker: Liz Bowles Date: 19th March 2020
Paula Reid
Paula is an inspirational speaker. With no reference to farming (as requested) she spoke about living life to the full and how we all should have a bucket list referencing her own adventures including sailing round the world and skiing to the south pole. As an author, psychologist and “performance catalyst” this was something different and indeed inspirational. The evening was sponsored by ADHB and Richard Meredith reminded what the great benefits of the ADHB are!
Speaker: Paula Reid Date: 1st February 2020
Jeff Goulding
Jeff is a Senior Manager at Hummingbird Technologies are a world-leading AI and machine learning business in the crop analysis space. Jeff is known to many of the members so there was a certain amount of heckling but he kept rapt. Hummingbird consolidates data from drones, planes and satellites and delivers value-driven actionable insights for farmers, agronomists and food companies, ultimately help growers precisely apply inputs, saving time and significantly improving profits and their environmental footprint. His work started at Hummingbird in 2018 has fused his experience and love of both agronomy and tech in an era which is now seeing massive opportunity for new, exciting and innovative technology.
Speaker: Jeff Goulding Date: 1st January 2020
Kit Franklin
Kit is a Senior Lecturer at Harper Adams in Agricultural Engineering and known as one of the pioneers of robotics in farming. Kit has spoken at the Oxford Farming conference so he was in good company with the Ag Club. He didn't disappoint as he spoke with great passion about the work he has done on developing robotics at Harper Adams, particularly Handsfree Hector.
Speaker: Kit Franklin Date: 1st December 2019
Lord George Bridges
George was Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Exiting the European Union until June 2017, when he resigned. He has been a prominent speaker in the House of Lords and now works as the Senior Adviser to Anna Boton, Chair of Santander Bank. He regularly writes for various broadsheet newspapers and magazines and is a regular contributor in the House of Lords. George spoke elegantly and articulately about the challenges that face us during this Brexit period. He outlined the process and pointed out the pitfalls and difficulties that all of us have in facing this uncharted water. Questions abounded.
Speaker: Lord George Bridges Date: 1st November 2019
Rachel Watling (AKA Agriblonde)
Rachel is a blogger and champion of females in farming. At 24, with a first-class honours degree in international business management although there is no farm in her family she is passionate about the sector, and about recognition of female farmers and agricultural workers. Rachel spoke about the challenges that face the industry as a young entrant and the opportunities that about with social media and using modern communications.
Speaker: Rachel Watling Date: 1st October 2019