Leader in the limelight: Charlie Steer

Charlie Steer

Charlie grew up on his family’s small mixed farm in Cheshire. All the family had other businesses as well – his dad, grandad and uncle had a business manufacturing and selling tools, conveyors and handling equipment, while his mum has her own rural chartered surveying business – so he had an interesting upbringing.

Charlie studied agriculture at the University of Reading before joining a graduate scheme at Eaton Estate with Grosvenor. As part of the programme, he spent time on estate management at Cogent Breeding and then onto Grosvenor Farms, where he’s been since 2012. He currently manages 5,800 acres.

His role involves managing the team responsible for all the operations at each end of the 4,500-head of dairy cows and youngstock on the farm, including forage and arable cropping, stewardship and SFI schemes, nutrient management and agronomy.

Charlie was awarded a Nuffield Scholarship in 2019. Through this, he explored ‘The Circular Farm’, examining how the circular economy can minimise inputs and maximise outputs in farming systems. This has led to the development of an anaerobic digestor project that will produce 60 gigawatt hours of green gas when built.

Let’s get to know Charlie a bit more

What’s the best advice you received?
I’ve had a few bits of advice which I try to follow:

1. You never regret doing something too soon, but you always regret doing something too late (not that I have always followed that advice!).
2. If a good opportunity presents itself, say yes and work out how to do it later.
3. Maintain your curiosity and flexibility (mentally and physically!).

My granddad was a big fan of quotes and had loads of different sayings for every situation, my favourites being: “What will do a lot will do a little” and “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one”.

What was the best decision you ever made?
I’m going to have to have two, both related to personal development: Studying agriculture at Reading University and applying for a Nuffield Scholarship.

Who do you admire most and why?
Dame Ellen MacArthur. I read her books about solo sailing around the world years ago and admired her self-motivation and grit as a solo sailor, and more recently the work of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation on the circular economy.

What is your biggest regret?
I don’t have any major regrets that stick with me, but most of the ‘oh bugger’ moments have come from not following the first piece of advice! I wished I’d gone on a global focus programme as part of Nuffield Scholarship travels.

What has been the highlight of the year to date?
Watching my daughter take her first steps.

What keeps you awake at night?
I sleep well, generally, but this year the sound of constant rain on the roof has kept me awake. Farming really is at the sharp end of climate change; doing our upmost to slow warming and build resilient businesses should keep us all up – at least occasionally, I believe.

What’s been the best AgriLeader activity you’ve participated in?
The discussions among the members of the ‘High Yielders’ group prompted by a host of great speakers from inside and outside of agriculture.

What one item (other than a spouse, child or pet) would you rescue from the flames?
I’m not one for flash stuff. Rebecca and I have got a daughter and four dogs, so that’s going to be top priority. If there’s time, I’d wheel out my toolbox: it has got some of my grandad’s tools in it which he gave me as a child, so they’re sentimental, but also it’s got most of what I need to build a new house with if the old one’s burned down!

When or where do you get your best ideas?
Outside and usually early in the morning.

What superpower would you choose?
I was going to say to be able to control the weather, but Nicola Carr had that, so I’ll go a step further and say greenhouse gas removal!

On a lighter note, as a bit of a hobby I’m trying to teach myself to TIG weld and my experience of that so far suggests that doing that well requires a superpower!