Leader in the limelight: Phil Jarvis

Phil Jarvis

Phil is the Land and Estates Director for Albanwise Ltd., which manages land in Norfolk and Yorkshire, cropping sugar beet, cereals, oilseed rape, maize, rye, peas, beans and potatoes. He also chairs the Voluntary Initiative, championing the best use of plant protection products, delivered through integrated pest management.

Phil is a member and former Chair of the National Farmers Union, Environmental Forum and Vice Chair of the NFU National Combinable Crops Board.

Let’s get to know Phil a bit more

What’s the best advice you received?
There are actually two bits. As organisations grow, practitioners should do practical frontline tasks, managers should manage, and consultants consult. While multitasking is admirable, you can end up losing focus.

The second leadership gem is just because you are responsible for an activity or task, it doesn’t mean you have to physically undertake it. Learn the art of delegation.

Oh, and always listen to your wife!

What was the best decision you ever made?
There are several around expanding my horizons with the National Farmers Union and Voluntary Initiative, the Institute of Agricultural Management Leadership Programme and returning to Harper Adams University after 25 years to complete a master’s degree. As difficult as it is to say goodbye, new employment arenas can be really invigorating.

Who do you admire most and why?
My first two are sadly no longer with us but have left a lasting impression on me.

Professor John Alliston was a master of the network, a kingpin in creating scores of agricultural leaders by getting others to pass on essential attributes to inspire and motivate them.

Caroline Drummond, in my opinion, worked networks to create a powerful team ethic with a positive demeanour. Caroline travelled non-stop to push a constructive dialogue for food production and environmental responsibility. Both are sadly missed.

If you want a dose of positivity in the farming world, you need look no further than Jake Freestone and John Pawsey – two of my favourite farmers in the parishes they farm in. Dynamic and always pushing boundaries, two of life’s good guys.

What is your biggest regret?
I tend not to linger on regrets, and those you can’t shake off tend to lessen with time. So don’t analyse too soon after the event. If you are forced to, then learn from them, and try not to get caught out again.

What has been the highlight of the year to date?

• The Chiltern Challenge for Scotty’s Little Soldiers; I have the blisters to prove it
• Enabling collaboration within the work environment
• Being part of a team that oversaw the successful transfer of the National Sprayer Operator scheme to a new supplier

What keeps you awake at night?
It’s usually work-orientated around unresolved issues, which actually means resolving challenges quickly takes a weight off your mind and allows the zzzs to flow.

What’s been the best AgriLeader activity you’ve participated in?
The Forum was my first AgriLeader event, but I have been involved with AHDB for some time. The journey from farm benchmarking to Monitor Farms, AHDB conferences and interaction with AHDB staff has been a positive one for knowledge transfer and gaining business acumen.

This culminated with the AgriLeader Forum in January 2024, where I was asked to be part of the panel session on networking. It was a really great event full of learnings and networking that added to my skill set.

What one item (other than a spouse, child or pet) would you rescue from the flames?
My guitar. Saving it might not suit the eardrums of the local community, but it’s a pastime that lets me get away from life’s trials and tribulations.

When or where do you get your best ideas?
Returning from conferences, visiting other businesses and, of course, sense checking them with my wife, Ruth.

What superpower would you choose?
Being the world’s best singer would be pretty special… “Phil Jarvis wins The Voice, Britain’s Got Talent, X Factor, open mic night in the pub, and the national karaoke awards, and woos 100,000 people at a Wembley concert and Wimbledon Centre Court in the rain…!”