Leader in the limelight: Becci Berry

Becci Berry

Becci runs a 365 ha mixed farm on the beautiful Oxfordshire/Wiltshire borders. Approximately 200 ha is tenanted from the National Trust. Formerly a dairy farmer, she now rears 200 head of native beef cattle and manages various arable operations.

As a third-generation farmer, Becci’s late husband, Richard, was passionate about the dairy and taking the farm forward. In 2010 he was devastatingly diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer. With two young daughters, Becci took the decision to take on the farm and continue building the dairy, which she did until 2021.

Let's get to know Becci a bit more

What’s the best advice you received?
To trust yourself. No one really knows what you dream or aspire to but you. My favourite quote is: “Impossible only means I’m possible.”

What was the best decision you ever made?
To stand up and take the farm on, despite my complete lack of comprehension of what that meant or entailed!

Who do you admire most and why?
This is a tricky one as there are lots of people in and out of farming who I admire. Mainly, it’s people who just crack on and get on with the job, like Minette Batters (President of the National Farmers' Union).

But there are also people who really do want to make a difference and have such boundless enthusiasm it is infectious, like Tim May at Kingsclere Estates who is building a multi-layered business and encouraging so many people to get into farming and have a go on so many levels.

I am extremely lucky to be surrounded by passionate individuals who are very enterprising, particularly in the dairy industry. We have a lot to be proud of as an industry and when you meet anyone in any other walk of life and they get a glimpse of what the average farmer has to deal with, they are always in awe. We need to build on this, and not drive our industry into the ground. It is one of the reasons I believe we need a platform that harnesses that and why I have become involved in supporting the development of The Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH), a place where people can recognise the multi-layered, professional skillset that they acquire from farming day to day.

What is your biggest regret?
I try not to have regrets. Like decision-making, there is never a bad decision, just one more thing to learn from and bounce back from. I guess if I am being totally honest though, backing the winner of the Breeder’s Cup in the 90s at 150-1 and only having a £2 bet on would be one!

What has been the highlight of the year to date?
The highlight of my year is always snow and skiing.

What keeps you awake at night?
Genuinely, the future of farming, both here in the UK and on a global scale. In the UK, the consequences of losing our rural economies and infrastructure have such a long-term impact. Those who are trying to divide the agriculture sector with strong views are doing so much damage. It is overwhelming the next generation and confusing everyone else.

Utopia is hard to achieve. I think most people have a common goal and know we all need to make changes, but incentives are needed. Financially yes, but we also need other ways to motivate people; sometimes a bit of recognition and praise is needed most.

What’s been the best AgriLeader or other leadership development activity you’ve participated in?
A workshop that AHDB put on with Nollaig Heffernan, an independent management consultant. It was Nollaig who helped me realise that although the changes that needed to happen with my business were plentiful, if I was structured and effective, they could be achieved. Outsourcing some areas and asking (and paying) for the right help ultimately helped me to keep the business moving forward.

If I hadn’t taken time to write things down and plan from that meeting, I could have been paddling backwards for a long time.

What is the one item (other than spouse, children and pets) that you would rescue from the flames?
My Olympic torch. I was so honoured to have carried that before the London Olympics and it was such a special day. So much is tied up in that torch emotionally and it is something that could never be replaced, so it has to be that.

When or where do you get your best ideas?
On top of a hill or, preferably, a mountain. If I need to think, I walk or ride up a hill and look out across our wonderful landscape and take a moment to reflect on life. I put things in mental boxes, take a deep breath and head back to deal with what needs to be done.

What superpower would you chose?
The ability to teleport myself.