Let AgriLeader take your business to the next level

The programme focuses on leadership, growth and resilience across three key areas:

• Leading yourself – developing a growth mindset and becoming more resilient
• Leading your people – inspiring everyone involved in your business to have a shared vision and purpose
• Leading your business – creating opportunities and questioning assumptions

Earlier this year, the first cross-sector AgriLeader Forum was held at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham, attracting more than 100 levy payers from all four sectors.

Aimed to inspire and challenge in equal measure, the two days were packed with engaging sessions, Q&A panels, and guest speakers, including four-time Olympian Chemmy Alcott. Attendees were pushed out of their comfort zones to encourage self-evaluation and identify ways to improve.

One attendee, Ben Harman, a pedigree Charolais producer from Buckinghamshire, explains why he thinks it is important to get out and learn from others.

He said: “I found the forum extremely useful and liked that it was more business focussed than farm focused because it gave a different perspective.

“I learnt to be more mindful about myself and how I run the business and I heard from other business owners about their views on future proofing and preparing for changes in market conditions."

“The highlight for me was spending time with some of the AHDB staff. They have such great passion and knowledge, and they care about the farmers who they represent. I would recommend events like this to any farmer wanting to progress their business.”

Izak van Heerden, who leads AHDB’s AgriLeader programme, said: “I have organised and attended a lot of AHDB events over the years, but the Forum was like no other. The openness and eagerness to share thoughts and opinions was extraordinary. As well as the willingness to question why and how one does things – it is in these circumstances where change happens.”

AHDB’s CEO Tim Rycroft opened the event and highlighted the importance that leadership will have on the future success of the agricultural industry.

He said: “A leader isn’t defined by a job title or an individual’s responsibilities, instead it is dictated by a person’s willingness to inspire, challenge and ultimately bring about change. And it will be this change that carries British agriculture into the future. It’s fantastic to see how AHDB can facilitate this for levy payers and encourage industry leaders to grow and excel.”

The Agrileader Forum is part of our AgriLeader programme, which challenges individuals to develop the skills they need to drive their business forward.

AgriLeadership Week

Between 16–20 May 2022, it is AgriLeadership Week – a week dedicated to breaking down barriers and stereotypes. We want to show that leadership development is for everyone and accessible to all.

When was the last time you invested in yourself? Make a pledge to develop your leadership skills this AgriLeadership Week and you could win a 1-2-1 session with an industry leading mentor.