Beanstalk Global

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community. In the May episode of Talking Leaders we were joined by Ben Hirst – founder of Horizon Platforms and a leader who has built his success on lifting others up, quite literally. From starting a national equipment rental business in 2008, Ben scaled Horizon into a respected industry player, before pioneering an employee ownership model that puts people at the heart of performance and long-term value.Ben's leadership has been instrumental in achieving record revenues and operational excellence while maintaining a people-first culture. His ethos of building the business for his grandchildren resonates deeply with many family-owned, farming businesses.Now with a portfolio of Chair and Non-Exec roles, Ben shares what it takes to transition from founder-led to employee-led – covering everything from governance and culture to legacy and motivation.Open, thoughtful, and values-driven, Ben's story is full of insight for anyone thinking about succession, scale, or how to keep people at the centre of a growing enterprise.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.In April's episode of Talking Leaders we met Russ McKenzie; a dynamic force in modern farming.Managing a arable business on the Cambridgeshire / Northamptonshire border, Russ is not just a farmer but a trailblazer in agronomy trials and independent consultancy. As a member of the AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Sector Council and a 2014 Nuffield Farming Scholar, Russ's journey is a testament to innovation and resilience.Discover how his passion, influenced by key mentors and personal experiences, drives him to push the boundaries of agricultural excellence. Get inspired by his story of dedication, from overcoming early career doubts to achieving significant milestones in farming.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.In this episode of Talking Leaders we delved into the inspiring journey of Catherine Marriott OAM, a trailblazer in agriculture, leadership, and sustainability. With over 20 years of experience across executive roles, governance, and consultancy, Catherine has a unique ability to bridge the worlds of practical farming, science and global ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) policy.We explored her insights on the evolving sustainability landscape, the critical role of leadership in agriculture, and her experience with Australian- and global farmers to navigate emerging market and environmental expectations. Catherine has worked as an executive, a non-executive director and consulting roles in the agricultural, research and regional development sectors in Australia and internationally. During this time, she has become a proven business leader, communicator and organisational renovator, focused mostly on leadership development, advocacy and delivering innovative solutions for the industries in which she works.Catherine is currently completing her Nuffield Scholarship with a focus on the impact and influence of global ESG policy on Australian farmers. Understanding the changing ESG and sustainability landscape globally is paramount to ensuring farmers are prepared for changing market options and both public and private sector expectations.She uses her Rural Science degree to understand the technical aspects of agriculture, while her experience in business, leadership deveopment and governance helps maximise efficiency and outcomes for the organisations for whom she works. Catherine has worked as a beef industry consultant, an entrepreneur, a farmer member based, organisational CEO and has sat on several NFP and public sector boards both in Australia and Internationally.She received a 2022 Queens Birthday Honors, Order of Australia Medal for contribution to agriculture and rural communities, is UNE's 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program, a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and was the 2012 WA Rural Women of the Year.Hear how Catherine's bold thinking, global perspective, and passion for empowering others continue to shape the future of agriculture and rural communities worldwide. It's a great listen!

In the February edition of AHDB Talking Leaders, we were delighted to be joined by Colin Crooks MBE.Colin is a serial social entrepreneur with a track record of establishing impactful and sustainable social enterprises. Currently he is launching BirdRun©, a novel competition designed to increase interest in wildlife and raise funding for environmental protection. Previously he ran Tree Shepherd which over 10 years supported hundreds of people from low-income backgrounds to start their own business. Before that he founded and operated 5 innovative recycling businesses. One of these, Green-Works was awarded the Queens Award for Enterprise; Sustainable Development.In 2012 he used his experience of employing more than 1,000 hard to employ people to write ‘How to Make a Million Jobs, a charter for social enterprise'. Colin was awarded an MBE in the 2019 New Year's Honours list for services to disadvantaged people and the environment. As a qualified, accredited coach and experienced facilitator/chair of meetings in community and business settings he also runs Intentionality, which works to create and/or support social enterprises to grow and increase their impact.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.In the January edition of AHDB Talking Leaders, we were excited to explore the topic of “Mental Fitness” with Sheena Horner, delving into how to Push Limits while Finding Balance.Sheena diversified into chilli farming and through that business she developed a growing network of food and drink businesses throughout Scotland. It is through the chilli growing business that Sheena developed a growing network of food and drink businesses throughout Scotland. She is a firm believer in collaboration and helping one another which led her to setting up Food from Farming, a second business to enable her to do this.She believes strongly in the locality and seasonality of food and drink, which is founded from her farming background and passion for sustainability and the benefits this brings to local and rural economies. These skills are currently being used in her role as the regional food and drink coordinator in Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Manager of the Farming Community Network.In the summer of 2020 Sheena founded #Run1000, a fundraising event held throughout January highlighting the positive effects that both running and walking have on your mental as well as physical health while raising funds for rural mental health charities. She continues to run and enter events regularly, pushing herself out of her comfort zone and challenging herself.She is a director of the Oxford Farming Conference, the vice-chair of The Crichton Trust board, a trustee of The Solway Firth Partnership, a graduate of the Scottish Enterprise Rural Leadership Programme and a member of the Dumfries and Galloway Local Employability and Skills Partnership.Sheena shared insights on how to effectively navigate the New Year, with a particular focus on “Blue Monday” — the third Monday in January, often considered the most depressing day of the year and linked to the January Blues. She explored Mental Fitness, offering strategies to push limits while maintaining balance during this challenging month.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.In the January edition of AHDB Talking Leaders, we were delighted to be joined by Gemma Krasucka, Head of Learning & Development at Leicester City Football Club to discuss “Bring the people with you”.With a strong background in performance coaching, people development, and cultural change, Gemma's purpose is to help individuals and teams unlock their full potential. Their career spans 20+ years and has been committed to guiding others to reach their professional goals, promoting self-improvement, and creating successful pathways for talent progression. Outside of their professional life, they are an accredited Personal Trainer and performance coach, specialising in athletic development, sports nutrition and mindset.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.In Decembers' AHDB Talking Leaders broadcast, we are delighted to be joined by Dr. Ellen Joan Ford for an engaging livestream, “Create a thriving workplace”.Ellen is hugely ambitious about improving the working world for people and for organisations. As a leader, researcher, military veteran, international speaker, TEDx speaker, facilitator, consultant and parent, Ellen draws on her research and practical experiences to drive organisational outcomes such as improved retention, productivity, engagement, well-being and ultimately, profit, by enhancing inclusive leadership capabilities and workplace culture.Ellen was awarded the Kiwi Bank New Zealander of the Year - Local Hero, Person of the Year - ManawatuStandard and the prestigious Sir Peter Blake Leadership Award. She is the author of #WorkSchoolHours(endorsed by CEOs of KiwiBank, FMG, DevryBV and Cliftons, and dubbed a “must-read for any leaderbuilding a modern workplace”) and her leadership model is Belonging, Autonomy and Purpose.Ellen is passionate, authentic and speaks from the heart with warmth, enthusiasm, bubbliness and fun.

The AHDB AgriLeader initiative in partnership with Nuffield International Farming Network Brasil were delighted to announce their collaborative broadcast.They explored how leaders from around the world tackle familiar challenges in different ways. Featuring Carla Borges, Wynoma Michaels, and Izak Heerden, hosted by Julia Cristina Campos and Max MacGillivray from Brazil, the UK, and South Africa, this session, “AgriLeadership Gone Global,” shared unique thoughts on leadership styles from diverse backgrounds and cultures.It's okay to lead differently! Don't miss this chance to learn how leadership thrives across cultures and gain fresh insights for inspiring others in today's interconnected world!

Prior to the 35th CUPGRA Annual Cambridge Potato Conference on 10th & 11th December 2024 at Robinson College, Cambridge, we went live with a number of key individuals from the CUPGRA Student Network who will present a taste of their work in a flash talk on Beanstalk.Global.The aim was for them to give us all a quick taster of the cutting-edge potato research being carried out across the UK.Ten members of the CUPGRA Student Network, who will be presenting at the CUPGRA conference in December, were eager to introduce their research and spark your curiosity about their potential findings!They were: Fabian Villamil Bolanos, Francis Kawalya, Vongai Chekanai, Ronald Manjoro, M Garrido Davies, Anika Damm, Brandon Thompson, John Owen, Favour Olu-Olusegun, Edwin Tapiwa Toreveyi.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.In this months' AHDB Talking Leaders broadcast, we sit down with Kat Thorne, founder of The Morning Game Changer, to explore how cultivating positive habits can lead to sustained high performance without risking burnout. Kat is a positive habits international keynote speaker, teacher and consultant. Her life story of workaholism, breakdown and burnout inspires global audiences to make one small habit change. After losing everything in 2016, she had no choice but to start again. With ONE SMALL HABIT CHANGE.Former Global Commercial Director & CEO, Kat now works with organisations, leaders and individuals around the world to create one small positive habit change that actually results in increased wellbeing & resilience.Kat shares practical strategies for maintaining consistency, balancing productivity with recovery, and preventing burnout, all tailored to the unique challenges faced by farmers. Viewers will gain valuable insights into how simple, actionable changes in daily routines can improve both well-being and long-term success in farming

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.In the October episode of Talking Leaders we are delighted to be joined by Anna Mosley - High Performance Coach & Founder of Eighty Growth Academy.Anna is a multi-award winning speaker and high performance coach. With an extensive past career in corporate leadership and vast experience in the world of mental health, Anna – a master in neuro linguistic programming - bridges the gap between mental fitness and high performance.Having overcome her own struggles of perfectionism and burnout, Anna specialises in growth mindset. She passionately upskills business owners and their teams to break through barriers to unlock their full potential, building resilience and agility and driving a culture for success. Anna is known for her highly engaging style, for making complicated topics simple to digest and implement, and for leaving her audience thinking BIGGER…every time.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.In the September episode of Talking Leaders we are delighted to be joined by Victor Campos, CEO of 3R Ribersolo Soil Lab. We will delve into Victor's journey from agricultural engineering to spearheading soil health initiatives. He will share his passion, love of innovation, and commitment to building a more sustainable future for agriculture.Victor, a native of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil, is a multifaceted individual with a profound passion for agriculture and sustainable practices. Armed with a degree in Agricultural Engineering from UNESP Jaboticabal and an MBA in Agribusiness from PECEGE/ESALQ, Victor's academic journey laid the foundation for his impactful career in the agricultural sector.Specialising in soil management at ESALQ and further honing his expertise with a Master's in Coffee Production from the University of Trieste, Italy, Victor's commitment to continuous learning and innovation is evident. As the CEO of 3R Ribersolo Soil Lab and a farmer of specialty coffees, avocados, and hops at Fazenda Bella Terra, Victor combines practical experience with scientific rigor to drive sustainable agricultural practices.In 2018, Victor's dedication to advancing agricultural knowledge earned him the prestigious Nuffield International Scholarship, supported by Biotrigo, CHT, and Nuffield Scholars. With a focus on improving soil and agricultural analysis techniques, Victor's research aims to empower producers with insights into more sustainable ways of managing agricultural production.Beyond his professional endeavours, Victor is driven by a deep-seated belief in the importance of understanding and nurturing the health of our soils and plants. He envisions a future where standardised analysis techniques contribute to the preservation of agricultural ecosystems while enhancing productivity and quality.As Victor eloquently puts it, “While recognising the importance of developing new products, new technologies, and things that can be sold, I see a lack of people focused on how to systematically measure the quality and health of our soils and plants. There is a lot to learn about the life and health in our soils, and to work together to standardise some of the newer – and cheaper and faster – analysis techniques that are coming into the market.”With his unwavering commitment to sustainability and innovation, Victor is a driving force in shaping the future of agriculture for generations to come.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.In our August broadcast we were delighted to be joined by Xander Beks, CEO at I4Nature Global Cooperative in the Netherlands to discuss “reshaping the future of food”.Xander is driven by his passion for navigating complex issues within multi-stakeholder environments. He finds great satisfaction in advancing transition or transformation processes alongside these diverse players, particularly when collaborating with new generations. This is exemplified by his work with I4NATURE, a cooperative he co-founded to address climate-related challenges. Whether at a regional, international, or cross-sectoral level, Xander adeptly devises strategies to drive change collaboratively.Xander is trained as an agricultural, military, and social institutional engineer. After graduating from Wageningen University, he accumulated extensive experience at the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality, leveraging his background in mixed farming. His expertise spans working with various organisational systems in agriculture, including education, labour markets, and government, from local to international levels.Since 2012, Xander has led I4NATURE, focusing on meaningful consultancy, future leadership, capacity building, and strategic events. This initiative evolved from a youth program at the Ministry into a cooperative. He has developed numerous programs, fostered international collaborations, and established networks aimed at adapting to a rapidly changing world, particularly through initiatives like young boards and I4NATURE-stage, a network for young people.In 2016, Xander joined the Dutch Armed Forces as a reservist, specialising in energy and sustainability challenges within military engineering. He also contributes to international forums, such as the Consultation Forum on Sustainable Energy in the Defence and Security Sector.Recently, Xander has become rooted in the Alblasserwaard region, working on his wife's family dairy farm. Here, he integrates his activities and knowledge to promote growth without increasing herd size, adhering to principles of generative agriculture and rural landscape values.Currently, Xander is seeking deeper insights through the Nuffield program to guide the future direction of the farm and its organisation. He aims to develop learning networks for farmers focused on future-proof agriculture, furthering his commitment to sustainable practices and education.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.In our July broadcast we are delighted to be joined by Matt Phelan, Author & Co-Founder of The Happiness Index.In his day-to-day role, he's responsible for the strategic direction of the business. He is the founder of The Happiness and Humans Community, host of The Happiness and Humans Podcast and author of Freedom To Be Happy: The Business Case for Happiness.Matt recently completed a TEDx talk where he presented 12 million data points in happiness from 1 million human beings in 100+ countries in less than 15 minutes!

In our June broadcast we were delighted to be joined by Amie Burke, Inclusivity Programme Manager at IGD. With a vast experience in the agriculture and food sector Amie will share with us why diversity is so important and provide some insights and learnings she is seeing through the IGD membership which demonstrates best practice and enhances the bottom line.Amie has spent 15 years working in the agriculture sector, from banking to business improvement across the whole supply chain. After 4 years travelling internationally helping clients with their sustainability goals, auditing and providing solutions for supplying farmers in places like Brazil, Guatemala, China, Madagascar and Vietnam, Amie took a role with AHDB to focus on people sustainability in UK farming. Supporting the development of new apprenticeships, hands on workshops developing leadership skills and delivering accredited training for upcoming managers provided insight and experience for Amie's current role with IGD as Inclusivity Programme Manager.As a passionate LGBTQ+ member, Amie takes her knowledge and emotional intelligence to deliver insight, best practice and a reverse mentoring programme for FMCG industry; helping to inspire change and support businesses to create inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive. She was recently named in The Grocer's Power List as a top 10 activist making grocery a better industry for the LGBTQ+ community.

We went live with the South of England Agricultural Society (SEAS) from the South of England Show on Saturday 8th of June from the Young Farmer Building at the very impressive Showground. We Broadcast on the very important subject of how we collectively create more trust between the farming community and the general public. Our expert panel included:Kendra Hall – Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust ScholarAndrew Flake – Sheep & Arable Farmer, West Sussex who opens his farm to the publicLeighton Snelgrove – Chairman of SYFC & Farm Manager for Elizabeth BuchananPeter Appleton – Dairy Farmer, Arlington and involved from the conception of the Blubell Walk, ArlingtonAimee Snowden - Nuffield ScholarWith Max MacGillivray from Beanstalk.Global hosting and Mark Campbell from AHDB.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.In our May broadcast we are delighted to be joined by Graham Wilkinson, CEO of the AHDB to discuss his reflections from the first 90 days as CEO and how that is impacting how he rolls out his vision to inspire and promote British farmers and growers.Graham is an experienced agriculturalist with a deep understanding of best-practice production methods – particularly across the dairy, beef, lamb, pork and poultry sectors. He has gained considerable practical knowledge from his time working on his family farm as well as for Tesco PLC, Arla Foods and now the AHDB. Prior to joining AHDB in March this year, Graham led the Global Agriculture team at Arla Foods, supporting over 8,500 cooperative farmer owners across seven markets and managing the delivery of innovative commercial milk concepts on farm. During his extensive career at Arla, he worked in both UK and global roles, helping to steer and develop a data-driven, on-farm sustainability agenda, both for specific commercial customers and the wider cooperative. He has also spent time in the retail sector at Tesco, joining the company in 2011 as Agriculture Manager. During this time, Graham was integral to the implementation of Tesco's Sustainable Farming Groups within its MFPE category before moving across to the dairy category. Working alongside Tesco's Sustainable Dairy Group members, he helped develop the company's agriculture policy and strategy for the dairy category while collaborating with the Commercial and Technical Teams. Graham also developed the Tesco Future Farmer Foundation', which was established to support new entrants and young farmers to launch their careers in agriculture. In his role as CEO of the AHDB, Graham is looking forward to promoting and unleashing the full potential of British farmers and growers for the future and is absolute in the view that British agriculture is among the best in the world.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.In our March broadcast we are delighted to be joined by Dr Awal Fuseini, Halal Sector Senior Manager for the AHDB.Awal works closely with levy payers and key stakeholders in the Halal sector to create a better understanding of the requirements of Halal meat production. His role involves introducing various initiatives aimed at promoting English beef and lamb as versatile and convenient products to Halal consumers. Awal also collaborates with Halal certification bodies to understand the requirements of the major export markets with a view to facilitating the export of English beef and lamb to the global Halal market, with particular focus on the Middle Eastern and Sub-Saharan African markets.Awal previously worked as an auditor and certification manager for one of the largest Halal certifiers in the UK, he is a trained British Retail Consortium (BRC) and ISO 9001 third party auditor. He has also made a significant contribution to academic literature through the publication of a book on Halal meat production, and numerous peer-reviewed papers in reputable scientific journals such as Meat Science, Veterinary Record, Animal Welfare, CAB Reviews, Food Ethics and others. Awal holds a PhD in animal welfare and meat science from Bristol University, his research interests centre around improving animal welfare at slaughter and evaluating consumer behaviour.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.In our March broadcast we are delighted to be joined by Jack Sheffield, Farmer & Founder of FeelAliveAgri, discussing “Building a Brand”.Jack started FeelAliveAgri in 2017 with an aim to create a brand aimed at young people in agriculture which is affordable yet stylish. A brand which can be worn on the farm, in the field or at the shows.Having been in farming all his life: growing up on the family farm in Sussex, attending agricultural college and working in different UK counties and down under in Australia, he is no stranger to the farming way of life but he saw there was something the people of the farming community needed and wanted! With social media being a massive part if his life and even more so agriculture nowadays it gave launching the brand a helping hand!

As we're all aware, currently there are multiple challenges and pressure faced both in our industry and lives. Join our panel to discuss and gain insight into how they are riding the current rollercoaster and adapting their businesses to become more resilient, motivating the people around them, whilst ensuring they look after themselves.Our Speakers:Mark Campbell, ChairChris Appleton, Dairy FarmerTom Rawson, Director of Evolution FarmingCharles Anyan, FCN Ambassador & FarmerMax MacGillivray, Beanstalk Global – HostAbout our SpeakersChris Appleton – Dairy FarmerChris has been fortunate enough to return to the family farm as a fourth generation dairy farmer managing 450 autumn block cows near Lewes, East Sussex. The farm has seen significant changes over the last 8 years with a project currently underway to build a new dairy unit and expand the herd to 650 cows. Chris is ably supported by a fantastic team that prioritise the welfare of the animals, allowing all to push forwards with the next stages of development for the farm.Tom Rawson – Director of Evolution FarmingTom is married to Catherine and they have three teenage children. Tom's journey into dairy farming started on his parents' 50 cow tenanted farm in West Yorkshire when he finished Harper Adams University in 1999 having not milked a cow until he was 19 years old. In 2010 Tom co founded Evolution Farming which today milks over 3000 cows on 8 units and at peak employed over 80 staff in a variety of different enterprises. Tom also has wider industry involvement including being Vice Chair of Nuffield Farming, current Chair of The 1000 Cow Club and a Committee member of The Farmers Club.Charles Anyan – FCN Ambassador & FarmerCharles is an arable farmer and keen environmentalist from Lincolnshire who took up running during the Covid lockdowns. A five stone weight loss quickly ensued. Now a veteran of 4 marathons (and currently training for number 5) he still hasn't stopped. He has found running to be a great way to look after both his physical and mental health, and is an advocate for breaking the stigma around this.Anyan became an ambassador for The Farming Communtiy Network in 2021 and was also a judge of Britain's Fittest Farmer in 2023.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.In our February broadcast were delighted to be joined by Kirsty Lewis - Founder of the School of Facilitation, discussing "A Business is Never Too Small for Effective Communication".A bit about Kirsty and the School of Facilitation: "Hi, I'm Kirsty, Founder of the School of Facilitation, a dream I first journaled on in 2007. I was seeking comradery in the world of facilitation, working with corporates for the majority of my career, and I was feeling the pull of real connection and people who just ‘got it'.But, where would I find them? After months and years of soul searching and web scouring, I realised that the solution I sought was within me! In 2014 the School of Facilitation welcomed its first members, having been gradually formulating in the background for some time. By 2017 we were supporting and encouraging facilitators and corporations from around the world.I've worked with powerhouse brands and household names, such as Diageo, Chanel and Jacob Douwe Egberts. My own personal facilitation journey spans decades (I know, I know, I don't look old enough!) and I've worked for myself for much of that time. I understand the trials and tribulations of going it alone, being an associate or facilitating within a corporate structure, because I've experienced those facets myself."

In late 2024, Kegan Stubbs and Max MacGillivray are travelling to Zim to explore the best of the countries farming and produce whilst supporting agricultural industries. They will be visiting a number of key growers to film, to learn and to promote the countries fresh food output for both internal consumption and to also highlight them all for key export markets. We are keen to give this opportunity for key Partner Sponsors to benefit from the planned mission to Zimbabwe!On the Broadcast was:Kegan Stubbs – he is currently engaged in exploring the intricacies of the agricultural industry within the UK via the MDS scheme and is partnering Max MacGillivray of Beanstalk Global on the Zim “mission”! Having grown up on a diverse farm in Manicaland, Zimbabwe, he developed a profound connection to both agriculture and his home country.Clarence Mwale – A global exporter and compliance manager of primarily blueberries, but also has an extensive small-scale out growers' program which he markets and runs compliance.Josh Burger – Grower, Exporter, and marketing agent for most of Zim's paprika crop – near the town of KwekweGraeme Webb – A key Zim grower majoring on150 ha Avocadoes and 80 ha CitrusMax MacGillivray – Host and Editor in Chief of Beanstalk Global

The road to Net Zero can be a challenging and tricky journey. Learning from the experiences of others can help make that journey a bit easier and enhance your business' efforts to reduce its carbon emissions and make your operations more profitable and sustainable. This is why we at SLIPAH, together with our partners at Beanstalk Global, are assembling a star panel of sustainability experts for our upcoming ‘Net Zero Show and Tell' Webinar on the 30th of January from 1pm-2pm. This webinar will provide the platform for our panellists to share the experience and knowledge they have had from the efforts undertaken by their organisations to progress towards Net Zero. Moderated by Max MacGillivray of Beanstalk, our panel will share their experience and knowledge of the challenges, pitfalls, success and solutions businesses need to bear in mind on their Net Zero journey.Joining us on this panel will be: Shaun Warren, (Sustainability Advisor at Graf Uk Ltd), Simon Derrick (Head of Sustainability at Blue Skies Holdings Ltd), Nicola Pichel-Juan (Sustainability Manager at Satra Technology Centre), Joely Slinn (Sustainability Officer at West Northants Council), Martin Wilson (Sustainability Manager, West Northants Council), Guy Schanschief MBE, Founder of Bambino Mio and Dr Ebenezer Laryea (Associate Professor of Sustainable Development Law at University of Northampton).Don't miss this opportunity this opportunity to hear from this panel of experts and the stories of how their organisations have done so far in navigating their way on the road to Net Zero.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.In our January broadcast we are delighted to be joined by Chris Manley - Agriculture Sustainability Manager for Muller & Milk, and Nuffield Scholar. The topic of conversation: his "Walk with Me" campaign - bringing farmers together with their supply chain partners to make a positive impact.Chris has a sustained passion for the agriculture industry and is driven to make a difference. Brought up on a dairy, beef, and sheep farm in Devon, he flourished in Young Farmers and at Harper Adams before undertaking the Nuffield Farming Scholarship in 2021.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.This month, with the broadcast title of “Think Differently” we are delighted to be joined by Carol Glover aka “The Maverick Maker” Carol, a successful Maverick leader herself, helps clients understand why it matters to think different, be different and act different.She is iLM level 7 Executive Coach and Mentor qualified.She describes her self as “A ginger, punk-inspired, Maverick Intrapreneur, Disruptive Leader, Speaker & Transformative Coach & Mentor, from Isle of Man, who loves to dance.”

Fairmiles: Flying Food for GoodHow do we take a fair approach to Net Zero which allows us to decarbonise airfreighted fresh produce without stopping vital market access for developing world producers?Listen to this key round table that went live on Friday 15th December 2023 with a number of key people attending in person as well as a significant number that dialed in via Zoom and on social media. The discussion included: The impact of airfreighted fresh horticultural products from developing countries.Climate Justice considerations for corporate Net Zero strategiesRecommendations for industry

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.In our November broadcast we were delighted to be joined by Argentinian Arable Farmer Sean Cameron.Educated at St George's College in Argentina followed by Fettes College in Edinburgh, Sean Graduated in Chemical Engineering from Cambridge University. After 5 years working as a trader in London for Louis Dreyfus, he returned to the family farm in Argentina.The farm was purchased by his Great Grandfather in 1916 on the south-eastern edge of the Pampas in the Province of Buenos Aires as a sheep farm. This gradually veered towards Aberdeen Angus cattle and an ever-increasing amount of annual grain crops and potatoes. In 1993 Sean returned to manage the farm with his Canadian wife Jennifer, it then became 100% arable annual cropping, and by 1996 all the farm was farmed in a no-till farming system.Presently, it includes 9 centre pivot irrigating machines, each sized between 53 and 88 Ha's and a 12,000 tonne drying & storage grain facility, as well as all the machinery necessary for planting, protecting and harvesting their crops. They now own approx 2,200 Ha's & rent a further 1,600 Ha's.The farms' main crops are wheat, barley, white clover seed production, sunflower, corn and seed corn and sweet corn produced under irrigation. They occasionally produce peas and plant second crop soybeans after wheat and barley harvest.

A new campaign for a fair transition towards net zero kicked-off this month. Called Fairmiles, it calls on policy makers from government and the private sector to consider sustainability impacts on developing countries when pursuing carbon reduction strategies which seek to minimise so-called ‘food miles' particularly with regard to airfreighted produce.The campaign aims to engage key stakeholders in the retail, government and charity sectors to highlight the importance of maintaining crucial trade links with developing countries and to make recommendations for reducing emissions without marginalising vulnerable communities.“Climate change is real and demands an urgent and radical response if we are to adapt to the significant threat it poses to our planet. However, with increasing pressure on organisations to act, there is a growing risk that corporate net zero strategies that seek to reduce emissions by reducing imported or airfreighted food, end up alienating and negatively impacting economically less developed countries, to the detriment of livelihoods in rural communities,” said Simon Derrick, global head of sustainability of Blue Skies, one of the companies behind the new initiative.“The implementation of carbon reduction policies which target airfreighted fresh produce can disproportionately curtail opportunities for low-carbon agricultural products that support livelihoods in developing nations.This trade is a lifeline for millions of individuals in some of the world's most impoverished and vulnerable communities, thus underscoring the need for carbon reduction policies to attain climate justice.”Blue Skies supplies airfreighted fresh-cut fruit to retailers in the UK and across Europe, employing over 5,000 people in 10 factories spanning Ghana, Egypt, South Africa, Brazil, Benin and the UK. Its business model is built on the principle of adding value at source, which means that, wherever possible, fruit is cut, prepared, and packed in the same community that it is grown. This allows Blue Skies to return a higher margin to the communities that produce the fruit, and to harvest the produce at its optimal maturity, helping to ensure the best possible nutrition and flavour.The Fairmiles launch was attended by 15 organisations representing African fresh produce businesses, the air cargo industry, academia and the international development sector. In addition to raising awareness of the issue among key stakeholders and the public, it hopes to conduct research on the impact of air freighted produce; agree best-practice guidelines for the industry and translate its aims into an action plan with quantifiable targets.To create further awareness of the initiative as well as discussing the facts and figures and what is hoped to be achieved especially as we head towards the COP28 climate conference in Dubai late this year a number of group founders recently went on a Beanstalk Global Broadcast to discuss the initiative.On the Broadcast was:Dr Ebenezer Laryea - Associate Professor in International Sustainable Development Law at the University of Northampton and Chair of the University's Centre for Sustainable Business Practices.James MacGregor – development economist and author of the 'Fair Miles: recharting the food miles map' published in 2009 by Oxfam and IIED.Jodie Keane - Senior Research Fellow with the International Economic Development Group at the Overseas Development Institute. Alistair Djimatey - Public Affairs Manager at Blue SkiesSimon Derrick – Head of Sustainability at Blue Skies, a fruit manufacturer that airfreights prepared produce from Africa and South AmericaMax MacGillivray - Editor in Chief of Beanstalk Global

Beanstalk Global & the AHDB went live with some farming favourites at the Cidermill Theatre in Chipping Campden to chat farming, food and education. They were also joined by teacher: Iona Corbett, Head of Food & Nutrition at Chipping Campden School.The livestream features the following people:Joe SeelsCharlotte AshleyJames HerrickTom MartinJames TaylorIona CorbettAndrew HartshornRoz ReynoldsIzak Van Heerden (host)

Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey that can help reshape the growth of your business or charity in that ensures a more sustainable world for our children and grandchildren? If the answer to your question is a resounding ‘Yes', then we invite you to join us for our first Net Zero Webinar on the TANZ West Northants Project.This is your opportunity to be a part of something extraordinary. TANZ West Northants is more than just a project; it's a mission. Launched in partnership with West Northants Council in September 2023 and funded by the prestigious UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), this two-year project is set to put the commercial activities of local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and charities on a more sustainable footing and on the path to accelerated growth.This first webinar will provide crucial knowledge and insight into how attaining Net Zero can secure a more sustainable and profitable future for your organisation. Attendees will also take away key understandings on how the TANZ project is well positioned to transform their commercial operations, making them eco-friendly and more efficient so as to realise the financial benefits of sustainability.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.In our October broadcast we were delighted to be joined by Dr Stephanie Fitzgerald, Health and Wellbeing Consultant at Soyo Ltd. Stephanie is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist, Neuropsychologist, keynote speaker and published author.She has worked in Mental Health for two decades and began working as a Health and Wellbeing Consultant in 2013. She has supported many companies across varying industries including Rail, Atomic Weapons, Civil Engineering, Premier League Football and the NHS. Most recently, Stephanie developed the Global Mental Health strategy for Rolls-Royce, a global organisation with over 45000 employees. Stephanie also supported Rolls-Royce employees through the devastating impact of COVID-19 and the largest restructure in the company's history.Stephanie specialises in delivering practical, evidence-based interventions, focusing on sustainable improvement. She is passionate about ensuring people are happy, healthy, safe and engaged in the workplace, and believes everyone can and should enjoy work.Join this online broadcast for tips and inspiration to improve your workplace wellbeing.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.In our September broadcast we were delighted to be joined by 4 times Olympic skier Chemmy Alcott.Chemmy is an English former World Cup Alpine race ski racer and a fiercely determined and courageous sportswoman. As the only British female skier to ever win a run in a World Cup, she is widely regarded as one of Britain's greatest ever skiers.Having broken 49 bones, Chemmy is no stranger to adversity and remains committed to inspiring the next generation and educating people from all over the world through sport.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.In our August broadcast we are delighted to be joined by Alexandra Hayes, Leah Griffiths and Rebecca Marshall to discuss Developing your future farming careers. They also recently took part in one of the AHDB AgriGrow courses.

Beanstalk.Global went live with the South of England Agricultural Society to discuss such an import and ongoing subject. Chaired by – Max MacGillivray of Beanstalk Global & Chris Appleton from the Society, we will also have on the panel:Justin Ellis, Virgin Money Ben Taylor, MD Iford Farms LtdJames Wallis, Estate Manager, Sutton Hall EstatesSarah Barnes, Creedy AssociatesWith a range of subjects to cover, we will be discussing the likes of:Continual change & adaption to a business to serve your market and maintain profitability.Examples on how business has changed in the last 1, 2, and 3 years and what has been learned.Opportunities that arise out of change and challenge.Key areas of focus to maintain a resilient business

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.In our July broadcast we were delighted to be joined by Rebecca Wilson & Lizzie McLaughin, hosts of the Becca & Lizzie Podcast.They explore the various routes into agriculture with the aim to educate, empower and show that two people from different backgrounds can both find and maintain their place in the industry. Through their podcasts, Becca and Lizzie dive into topical issues, exciting debates and interesting interviews.Rebecca is the fifth generation to help run the 243-hectare (600-acre) family business in North Yorkshire.Lizzie is a farming journalist and Head of Commercial Content Solutions at Agriconnect.Some of the other projects Becca and Lizzie are involved with include speaking events, charity fundraisers, mental health, education and moreJoin us as we hear their views on the role of the next generation in farming and agriculture.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.In our June broadcast we were delighted to be joined by Laura Ryan – CEO of Lavenpark Consultancy.Laura is an expert in building global networks and driving transformational change across the agri-food sector and up until 2019 was Sector Strategy Director for Beef & Lamb Board at Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).She has subsequently grown a global portfolio of work across the meat sector through the launch of Lavenpark, her own consultancy business which is working with levy boards, government, and commercial companies to achieve greater success through improved insight and connectivity.She is co-founder of the trailblazing Global Meat Alliance initiative and is also the founder and Global Chair of Meat Business Women which has been recognised by the United Nations as one of the solutions to the global Sustainable Development Goals.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.In our May broadcast we were delighted to be joined by Emma Thomas.Emma Thomas is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Sunshine Coast Council – one of the largest local governments in Queensland serving a population in excess of 340,000 residents and one of Australia's fastest growing regions. The Sunshine Coast Council is pursuing a transformational agenda to strengthen the region's economy, improving the region's liveability, enabling community connectedness and inclusion and maintaining an outstanding natural environment and landscape.Prior to joining Council, Emma held a range of chief executive and senior executive leadership roles with the Australian Capital Territory, South Australian and Queensland governments. She is a values-based leader with a passion for, and commitment to, sustainable regional economic development and fostering social inclusion, community diversity, connectivity and accessibility. These elements are an integral part of her focus and leadership as Sunshine Coast Council CEO.As the CEO, Emma is responsible for an organisation with a budget in excess of $816 million, more than $6 billion in assets, over 1,800 people and overseeing one of the most innovative policy, program and infrastructure delivery agendas that seeks to position Council as a national leader in local government excellence and the Sunshine Coast as the most liveable and sustainable region in Australia.

In our April broadcast we were delighted to be joined by Colin Crooks MBE.Colin is a serial social entrepreneur with a track record of establishing impactful and sustainable social enterprises. Currently he is launching BirdRun©, a novel competition designed to increase interest in wildlife and raise funding for environmental protection. Immediately before that he started and ran Tree Shepherd which over 10 years supported hundreds of people from low-income backgrounds to start their own business. Before that he founded and operated 5 innovative recycling businesses. One of these, Green-Works was awarded the Queens Award for Enterprise; Sustainable Development.In 2012 he used his experience of employing more than 1,000 hard to employ people to write ‘How to Make a Million Jobs, a charter for social enterprise'. Colin was awarded an MBE in the 2019 New Year's Honours list for services to disadvantaged people and the environment. As a qualified, accredited coach and experienced facilitator/chair of meetings in community and business settings he also runs Intentionality, which works to create and/or support social enterprises to grow and increase their impact.

The University of Northampton Sustainability Summit 2023 is taking place on 15th-16th May 2023. This two-day Summit is being organised under the theme; ‘Adapting to a changing world: addressing our shared sustainability challenges'.Its core objective is to provide a platform which brings together businesses non-profit organisations, policy makers, local government, academics, and other stakeholders to identify shared sustainability challenges and devise a long-term plan of action to address those challenges through collaborative research, enterprise and knowledge exchange.On the Pre-Event Broadcast on Beanstalk Global, we have:Dr Ebenezer Laryea, Associate Professor of International Sustainable Development Law, University of NorthamptonSimon Derrick, Global Head of Sustainability, Blue Skies Holdings LtdGuy Schanschieff MBE DL - Founder - Bambino MioSharon O'Connor - Global Compliance Manager - Nene GroupValerie Zishiri - Sustainability Coordinator - Free Foam Ltd

The University of Northampton Sustainability Summit 2023 is taking place on 15th and 16th of May 2023. This two-day Summit is being organised under the theme; ‘Adapting to a changing world: addressing our shared sustainability challenges'. Its core objective is to provide a platform which brings together businesses (particularly in the food/drink, footwear, and logistics industries), non-profit organisations, policy makers, local government, academics, and other stakeholders to identify shared sustainability challenges and devise a long-term plan of action to address those challenges through collaborative research, enterprise and knowledge exchange.Beanstalk Global's Max MacGillivray will be there, Chairing a key session with Simon Derrick – Global Head of Sustainability for Blue Skies as well as filming and conducting a series of interviews throughout the summit.On a recent Pre-Event Broadcast, we heard from key individuals as to why you should attend. This included:- Dr Ebenezer Laryea, Associate Professor of International Sustainable Development Law, University of Northampton- Professor Amin Hosseinian Far, Professor of Systems Thinking, University of Northampton- Simon Derrick, Global Head of Sustainability, Blue Skies Holdings Ltd- Martin Baxter FIEMA, Cenv, Executive Director of Policy & External Affairs, IEAMA- Kelly Shields, Communication and Technical Manager, Fresh Produce Consortium.

The search is on for the first recipient of The Caroline Drummond Award – Celebrating and Communicating Farming Excellence.Set up in memory of former LEAF Chief Executive, Caroline Drummond MBE, who led LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) for over 30 years, the award will recognise an individual who personifies her passion and drive to advance more sustainable farming and communicating that to their peers, the wider food chain and the public. The award is open to farmers and other individuals involved in the farming industry.As well as LEAF, the award is supported The British Guild of Agricultural Journalists and The Institute of Agricultural Management, both of which Caroline had a close involvement with.“I hope that the award will encourage others to approach the communication of sustainable farming in a similar fashion to Caroline`s methods. That is using encouragement, motivation, enthusiasm and excitement for the good of all,” says Caroline's husband Philip Ward.“Caroline had a passion for improving the way the world farms and protects the environment and for sharing that message to as wide an audience as possible. This award means that others with that passion can be recognised for what they do,” says Cedric Porter, LEAF vice chairman and agricultural journalist.“This award is a fitting tribute to Caroline and her determination to show the wider world that good farming practice and looking after the environment go hand in hand. The twin challenges of feeding an increasing global population and climate change make that goal more important than ever before,” says BGAJ chairman Johann Tasker.“Caroline Drummond was an inspirational leader in agriculture. IAgrM is delighted and proud to support this award in recognition of Caroline's work and as a lasting legacy to inspire others working in sustainable farming,” says Victoria Bywater, Director IAgrM.

We went live with Megan Hudson, General Manager at the Fenland SOIL team to hear about why we should get involved with the event.Fenland Soil are a dedicated team with farmers at its core to tackle climate issues relating to agriculture and peat in the Fens.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a bi-monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.In our March broadcast we are delighted to be joined by Steve Dunkley from HSBC Business Banking who will discussing “Driving growth in Agriculture – strategies for success”.Steve is HSBC's Regional Agriculture Director for Business Banking in the north.He has worked in the farming sector for the last 30 years, from the family farm in the Yorkshire Dales to careers in both consultancy and government. Join us as we discuss different approaches to collaborative working and explore how teamwork and collaboration can drive business success.

In our March Broadcast, we were delighted to be joined by Lucy Wager.Lucy is an accomplished food industry professional and entrepreneur with 19 years of experience in the industry. She began her career as a Concept Technologist in food manufacturing at Bakkavor before moving on to work as a Product Developer for leading retailers such as Marks and Spencer and Sainsbury's. In 2012, Lucy launched Pudology, a first-to-market chilled plant-based dessert brand that went on to achieve national success.Today, Lucy focuses on working with early-stage Food & Drink businesses, providing guidance on all aspects of product development, food safety, compliance, and general support through the challenges of concept to launch. As a respected food industry professional, she also writes and delivers training programs for development, marketing, and commercial teams across the industry.Lucy is dedicated to inspiring and educating the next generation of food industry professionals and entrepreneurs, helping them navigate the challenges and opportunities in the industry. Her passion for innovation, food safety, and food security for all continues to be a driving force in her work. She is committed to making a positive impact in the food world for many years to come

Ged is a very well-known and highly regarded GSCOP Expert having specialised in this area for the past five years. He has over 26 years' experience in retail at a senior level, from managing stores, working in supply chain and then working as a Senior Buying Manager for the world's largest retailer. We go live with him to get his view on what he is seeing in the unpredictable world of retail supply.As a senior buying manager at Asda / Walmart, Ged worked in some of the fastest moving categories including beer, grocery and frozen food.Ged has been training for over 10 years, the last five years training suppliers, helping them work better with Retailers. Ged delivers training & consultancy that supports delegates & businesses to make the most of the relationships they have their key retailing partners. He offers insight into what makes a retailer tick and how to use this to improve profitable relationships.His experience across store operations, supply and buying has given him a unique approach to buying with an understanding of the full supply chain. His experience gives him a pragmatic and insightful approach to having successful and profitable relationships with Retailers.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a bi-monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.In our February broadcast we were delighted to be joined by Remy Beaumont, Founder & CEO of GEN Z TALENT & farmmarketing.co.uk who will discussing “The rising role of social media within UK Agriculture”.After gaining considerable experience working on arable and dairy farms from the age of 13, Remy's initial career plan was to become an agri-business consultant.He studied at Plumpton College before graduating with a degree in Agriculture from the University of Reading.The COVID-19 pandemic meant Remy's final year at university had to be completed from home. During this period, he observed the huge growth of social media platforms, such as TikTok, and, living with an influencer at the time, Remy decided to set up his own social media business.In 2021, Remy founded GEN Z TALENT, an agency specialising in influencer and social media marketing, initially to provide a part-time income while completing his final year of university.The company grew quickly, and he has an extensive client list, including the likes of Starbucks, ASOS, Taco Bell and Hello Fresh.Remy's final year dissertation focused on farm diversification, and it was during this time that he began to see the potential for social media marketing within agriculture.In 2022, Remy took his love of social media marketing and applied it to another passion – farming – and founded Farm Diversification UK Ltd. This is an agency that focuses on taking farm diversification to a new audience through digital and social media marketing.Join our broadcast for a rare insight into how farming enterprises can use social media for business development.

We went live with some well-known names in the farming industry to share thoughts from the AgriLeader Forum 2023 event and to discuss the topic of leadership and management. 0.37% of people are embarking on leadership and management development so what are the main drivers and barriers to getting more people in this area and what are the mindsets, traits and skills of a good leader?With the AHDB and on Beanstalk Global, we were joined by: Joe Seels, Olly Harrison, Charlotte Ashley, Georgina Sammut, Rebecca Wilson and Izak van Heerden (AHDB)

“Women in Food and Farming” is a group of professional women in food, agriculture and the land-based industries at all stages of their careers, who get together to discuss business issues, support each other via mentorship and advice, and help generate networks of contacts that might be useful to themselves and their businesses.Founded in 2011 by Christine Tacon CBE, the group started back in 2011 with just five women and has now grown to over 500 members. Christine is known to many as the first Grocery Code Adjudicator and head of the Co-op's farming business, she has just been appointed Chair of Assured Food Standards which operates the Red Tractor Assurance scheme amongst other roles.Beanstalk is very proud to offer our extensive platforms to allow Women in Food and Farming to continue their conversation and debate and to encourage new members ongoing to join them, be that on a virtual Broadcast basis.MDS is the UK's foremost provider of management training for the food industry. Founded in 1986 as a not-for-profit membership organisation, we create a pipeline of well trained, capable leaders to work in all aspects of the food supply chain.Their membership includes some of the industry's leading businesses: forward thinking companies committed to developing high-calibre individuals. MDS offers members the opportunity to build their own leadership pipeline whilst contributing to the success of the industry. Thier members provide opportunities for MDS trainees to learn ‘on the job' in roles with real responsibility, often managing specific projects or filling seasonal peaks. Their close collaboration with members ensures a broad range of suitable secondments as well as allowing ongoing input into the development of programmes.In this month's broadcast the WIFF Team invited a number of current MDS Trainees to discuss the importance of Networking.These included:Arunima Amar, Hollie Earles, Katie Gray, Harvey Griffiths and Francesca Pritchard.

In our January broadcast we were delighted to be joined by Rex Conyers-Silverthorn, Director of Brookfield Properties who will discussing “Future-proof thinking, predictions and adaptation”.Brookfield Properties develops and operates real estate investments on behalf of Brookfield Asset Management — one of the largest alternative asset managers in the world. From office to retail, logistics to multifamily, and hospitality to development, they work across sectors to bring high-quality, sustainable real estate to life around the globe every day.Rex has advised on some of London's most iconic buildings, including The Gherkin, Heron Tower and the Olympic legacy at Stratford to promote both functionality in design and placemaking.

We went live with some of the top farming influencers from social media @ LAMMA 2023 to chat about how farmers can connect with the general public. We were joined by: Tom Pemberton, Joe Seels, Charlie Beaty, Rebecca Wilson, Flavian Obiero , Charlotte Ashley, Amy Jackson and Izak van Heerden.

We know how important it is to be inspired by both big businesses and individuals, which is why we are excited to present Talking Leaders, a bi-monthly initiative from the AHDB which will see a series of inspirational speakers share their life experiences and deliver impactful stories to the AgriLeader community.In our December broadcast we were delighted to be joined by Bonnie Huval – former space shuttle and Spacelab engineer from the NASA Johnson Space Center to discuss (amongst other things) “What does it take to get someone to the moon?”For a while, she led the team that tested space shuttle communication systems to find out exactly how they would behave under every conceivable mission condition. She also wrote some of the software to handle life science experiment data from Spacelab.After leaving the space programme, she became an independent consultant. She is often involved in complex, strategically important projects with daunting technology and business process challenges. Bonnie has a knack for solving problems by looking at them upside down or sideways.Join our broadcast for an insight into the world of a former space shuttle engineer and to be inspired to look at problems through a different lens.