The event brought together more than 60 NFU members from across England and Wales for two days of leadership workshops, panel discussions, networking and personal reflection.
Attendees were nominated by NFU and NFU Cymru regional teams for their active involvement with the organisation and their commitment to shaping the future of farming.
The exciting two-day agenda consisted of workshops, panel discussions and inspiring speakers covering a range of themes on everything from 'Leading in today’s world' to 'Proud to make a difference'.
“We are an organisation for our members’ through and through, and we want to help them shape its future.”
NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos
An interactive workshop led by global social business Debate Mate also taught key leadership skills and how to approach different situations.
We want members to help shape the NFU's future
Speakers included all five NFU and NFU Cymru officeholders:
- NFU President Tom Bradshaw
- NFU Deputy President David Exwood
- NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos
- NFU Cymru President Aled Jones
- NFU Deputy President Abi Reader
A host of senior NFU staff, former international rugby player and inspirational speaker Ryan Jones, and key industry voices including NFU Mutual chief executive Nick Turner and AHDB chief executive Graham Wilkinson also delivered sessions.
The evening event featured an after-dinner discussion with Tom Bradshaw, who shared his personal leadership journey from his first involvement with the NFU to becoming its president. He offered reflections on the kind of leader he strives to be, the importance of self care, and advice for others looking to make their voices heard.
NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos said it had been a “real privilege” to host the first ever NFU Develops conference.
She said: “We are an organisation for our members’ through and through, and we want to help them shape its future.
“This event is about recognising those who are already engaged with the NFU and giving them the support and confidence to go even further – whether that’s leading in their local community, influencing policy or inspiring others to get involved.
“Farming is a constantly and quickly changing sector and we need strong, authentic voices at every level of the industry. I hope every member here left feeling open-minded, proud of their role and well-equipped to help shape the future of British agriculture.”
What did participants think?
Delyth Robinson, who farms along the Carmarthenshire / Pembrokeshire border, said the conference was “inspirational”.
“The NFU is very good at supporting you and encouraging you to step out of your comfort zone – you’re not on your own, you do get support. People want to see you succeed.”
Norfolk arable farmer Florence Glover said the experience had “opened my eyes to all that goes on and how important it is to the NFU to be supporting their members and actually pushing people up into positions within the organisation so that there is a diverse mix of people across the board”.
She added: “It’s definitely something I’d recommend. These opportunities don’t come up very often. This organisation is really supporting its members – trying to develop them, hear their concerns and understand the issues different businesses are facing so it can put them to the forefront of its government lobbying.”
And Libby Noy, whose family farms in Hertfordshire, said the event had allowed her to make “connections that will last a lifetime”.
NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos opens the conference
“The Sugar Industry Programme and NFU Develops have helped me develop what is needed to become a leader which is probably quite a cliché, but it’s definitely something that’s helped develop me as a person as well – personally as well as professionally.”
NFU Norfolk/Cambridgeshire farmer Alex Clabon
“These opportunities aren’t generally available in the agricultural industry if you want to develop your career, so the NFU providing this training and these last few days have really built on that and looked at what’s required to be a leader and what you need for success.”
NFU Staffordshire farmer Andrew Court
Director of Policy Andrew Clark, Head of FFE Fayza Benlamkadem, Head of External Affairs Olivia Phoenix, Dairy Board chair Paul Tompkins and NFU Cymru Head of Policy Dylan Morgan speak on a panel titled 'Proud to make change happen'
International rugby player and inspirational speaker Ryan Jones puts participants through their paces
“What we’re doing has been really inspiring.”
NFU Norfolk farmer Tim Young
“Learning tips and putting that into practice in the exercises we did was really useful and I’m going to try and take that back to my leadership role at home.”
NFU Suffolk farmer Olly Pratt
Attendees heard sessions on a wide range of themes including 'Leading in today’s world', 'Proud to make a difference', 'Proud to make change happen' and 'Communicating with impact'
Head of Member Experience Amelia Stratton, SYFAP and Livestock Board member Naomi Williams-Roberts, Head of Trade and Business Regulation Gail Soutar and NFU Cymru President Aled Jones speak on a panel titled 'Proud to make a difference'
“The conference was excellent for developing new skills and meeting a whole host of like-minded people from across the country which forges new networks. Bringing positivity and knowing the impact you can bring and deliver to others and being confident are key take home messages.”
NFU County Durham member Jess Stewart
