Hampshire-born Isobel (Izzy) Budden hails from a family farm at Chalton, within the South Downs National Park.

She has a consultancy background, most recently having worked for Promar International in the Sustainability team. This return to agriculture came after a few years working in the financial sector in London and completing a Master’s degree at UCL, where she focussed on agri-environmental policy.

Izzy has been getting to know the NFU and its operations and is looking forward to assisting members in order to help their businesses thrive while achieving beneficial environmental outcomes.

She said: “I am excited to join the NFU at this critical time of transition for agriculture and when the industry is working towards becoming net zero by 2040.

“I believe the NFU environment team is ideally placed to support farmers at a time when the industry is facing immense pressures, seemingly from every angle.

“We are currently questioning water companies over their plans for resilience and urging them to make farm businesses and animal welfare a priority during times of interruptions to supplies, and ensure agriculture is represented in longer term water resource planning.”

Izzy’s family farm, Netherley Farm Partnership, is an arable enterprise, producing cereals and oilseed rape. Agri-environment schemes on the farm are targeted towards the protection of water resources and supporting key habitats and species, including turtle doves, which are believed to have bred during 2022.

In her spare time, Izzy cares for her two retired horses and dog walks with friends.