OFC selects emerging leaders for Inspire 2027

Fifteen people from across farming and the rural economy have been selected for the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) 2027 Inspire Programme, which aims to develop leadership skills and build industry connections.

The cohort includes farmers, agronomists, vets, farm business advisers and representatives from industry organisations, including the NFU, the Ulster Farmers’ Union, the Country Land and Business Association and the AHDB.

See also: Oxford Farming Conference to question farmers’ mindsets

The programme is designed for people aged 30-45 working in food, farming and the wider rural economy, offering leadership development and the opportunity to attend the conference for the first time.

OFC director and head of rural research at Savills, Kelly Hewson-Fisher, who is an Inspire alumna, said this year’s applicants reflected strong demand for opportunities to develop leadership skills and learn from people across the industry.

“Many of those joining us are already managing farm businesses, leading teams or representing farmers, and Inspire gives them time to consider how they want to develop in those roles.

“Learning alongside people from other parts of the industry can help them look at their own work differently and make connections they might otherwise never have made,” she said.

Delivered in partnership with BASF Agricultural Solutions and REAL Success, the programme includes two pre-conference days in London, full access to OFC27 Harmony from 6-8 January, and membership of an alumni network.

The 15 participants

Lynsay Beattie

Communications officer at the Ulster Farmers’ Union, who grew up on a fifth-generation dairy farm in County Tyrone and manages the Open Farm Weekend schools’ programme.

Amy Catling

Head of engagement for AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds, leading relationships with levy payers and industry stakeholders.

Thomas Chapman

Livestock and land manager at Hollow Trees Farm in Suffolk, overseeing livestock production within a diversified farm business.

Ross Dawson

Farm engagement manager at agricultural technology company YAGRO, with experience in agriculture, sales and procurement.

Sophie Dwerryhouse

Midlands regional director for the CLA, representing farmers, landowners and rural businesses.

Ellie Edwards

NFU assistant county adviser in the Midlands and former commercial agronomist, who grew up on an arable farm in South Derbyshire.

Megan Fitzpatrick

Independent horticultural agronomist and farm business consultant supporting mixed farms and horticultural enterprises in the South East.

Phil Gordon-Jones

Farm and property manager at Fir Farm, overseeing a 445ha mixed organic estate and its diversified businesses.

Alan Hughes

Mixed livestock tenant farmer and founder of Farming Solutions, which supplies and installs livestock handling and biosecurity systems.

Frederick Krefting

Manager of Showsley, a Midlands arable farm, exploring diversification in natural capital, renewable energy, tourism and property.

Jack McGrath

Farm manager at JW Pitts in Northamptonshire, overseeing 809ha and introducing practices to improve soil health and efficiency.

Ross Murray

Seventh-generation suckler cattle and sheep farmer from County Down, constituency office manager for Carla Lockhart MP and National Sheep Association next generation ambassador.

Luiza Pazini

Pig vet and technical services senior specialist at PIC, originally from Brazil and working in the UK pig industry since 2020.

Abi Saunders

Agri-business adviser at Masons Rural who also farms in Lincolnshire and founded the Wolds Discussion Group.

Emily Winter

Runs her family’s beef cattle, free-range poultry and arable business in South Norfolk and works as a senior project officer for the River Waveney Trust.