Annual Update for the Farm and Estate Owner/Manager
“What you 'must' know in just one day"
A one day conference - Wednesday 3rd December 2008
Sponsored by St James's Place Wealth Management Ltd.
Key info
Conference Venue:
Blenheim Palace
Hospitality Suite
Woodstock
Oxon OX20 1PX (map)
Date: 3rd Dec 2008
Cost per delegate:
£249.00 + Vat
EarlyBird Discount: Book before 31st Oct '08 £199.00 + Vat
Or call us on 01869 347874
to reserve your place or
register interest online
Farm and estate managers are employed by owners or tenants to make sure the farm runs efficiently and profitably. The farmer or estate owner often also take on this role. The role is a busy one but finding time to keep up to date with the latest regulations and current thinking is vital in order to undertake the responsibility of running the farm effectively.
Modern farming is in the spotlight. Modern farm management is about monitoring, analysis, planning and action. Cutting costs, increasing revenue and creating business efficiencies are just part of the huge role of the Farm and Estate Manager.
The demands on the manager are increasing. With no control over the climate and little over pricing it is vital that the manager controls the day to day running of the farm with smooth efficiency. A well organised and managed structure will vastly improve the risk management options open to the farm and estate manager when times are hard.
With the role of the manager constantly evolving to take into account changing trends and the individual business needs, for one day only make it time to get off the tractor and into the office. The conference offers a quick and effective route to compliance and how the changes affect you while also providing a fantastic networking opportunity with your peers and professional advisors.
The conference is aimed at:
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Those involved in managing rural businesses from small private farms to large estates
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Those managing the landholdings of public and private institutional bodies
-
This may also be of interest to Professional Advisors working with the agricultural sector:
accountants
solicitors
practising surveyors
land agents -
All farm and estate owners
The excellent networking benefits to this sector are extensive and are combined with an opportunity to gain a broad update and hear current argument and thoughts on key policy and endemic issues affecting the countryside today.
Conference schedule
|
09.30 -09.35
|
Welcome Chair - Alan Wall, Senior Sales Manager, St. James's Place Wealth Management Ltd. |
|
09:35 – 10:15
|
Current and future rural policy – implementation overview and the implications on the farm and estate management
Andrew Clark will present the NFU’s analysis of the CAP Health Check and analysis of the emerging agreement expected at the end of 2008. The presentation will provide a brief overview of the Health Check itself, development of cross compliance and implications for England’s Rural Development Programme. In the context of increasing concern about food and energy security will this CAP reform help or hinder farm and estate managers?
Andrew Clark, Head of Policy Services, National Farmers' Union (NFU) |
|
10:15 – 10:55
|
Understanding the management accounts to develop the farm and set budgets and production targets
Richard Sanders Fisher German |
|
10:55 – 11:10
|
Refreshments |
|
11:10 – 11:50
|
10 Things That Will Change Your Diversification
James will talk about what is critical to the success of a diversified enterprise and this will be illustrated by case studies and anecdotes from his career in the agricultural sector. He will cover the journey from farmer to businessman and look at the key elements in making a diversification profitable.
James Miles-Hobbs JMH Rural Development Associates |
|
11:50 – 12:30
|
Essential HR
This session will provide a brief overview of the essential HR knowledge every manager of people should be aware of. The session will start with effective recruitment and selection and work through an employees life cycle to end with managing termination and fair dismissal.
Toni Trevett, Complete HR |
|
12:30 – 13:30
|
Lunch
|
|
13:30 – 14:10
|
The Rural Development Programme for England : Opportunities for Land Managers and Rural Business
The RDPE is a major new funding scheme for the rural sector for 2007 -2013 which allocates grants to farmers, foresters, horticulturalists, food processors and rural communities. This talk will cover who is eligible, which activities are eligible, how to apply for funding and cover some case studies of projects which have already been given
Dr Jacquie Middleton, RDPE Strategic Programme Manager , SEEDA |
|
14:10 – 14:50
|
Legal update, landlord and tenant and health and safety on the farm
Samantha will briefly review developments in agricultural property law over the year concentrating primarily on landlord and tenant issues pinpointing any areas for potential concern for both landowners and tenants.
Michael Geeson, and Samantha Leigh, Darbys |
|
14:50 – 15:05
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Refreshments
|
|
15:05 – 15:45
|
Environmental issues and Environmental Stewardship
An update on recent environmental policy changes and what this means for the rural land manager’
Derek Holliday, Head of Environment, or Claire Collyer, Conservation Adviser, Country Land and Business Association (CLA) |
|
15:45 – 16:25
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Could you be as smooth as Innocent?
“Adopting sound marketing strategies to reconnect with the consumer”
Guy Watson, Riverford Farm |
|
16:25 – 16:30
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Roundup and Close by Chair
|
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16:30 – 17:15
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Guided tour of The Palace - Optional |
