About us
NIAB
The challenges of food security, climate change and sustainable development present exciting opportunities for agricultural research and innovation.
The NIAB Group is the UK’s fastest growing crop science organisation, having trebled in size over the past decade through a strategic programme of investment, merger and acquisition.
Founded in 1919, and with a longstanding international reputation for expertise in plant varieties and seeds, today NIAB’s scientific capabilities span the crop improvement pipeline; from underpinning research required to develop higher yielding more climate resilient crops through to the extensive trials data, agronomy expertise and advice needed to ensure these advances are transferred effectively onto farm.
NIAB is at the forefront of the application of genetics, physiology, soil science, precision agronomy and data science to improve the yield, efficiency and resilience of crop production across the arable, forage and horticulture sectors.
Savills
The challenges of food security, climate change and sustainable development present exciting opportunities for agricultural research and innovation.
The NIAB Group is the UK’s fastest growing crop science organisation, having trebled in size over the past decade through a strategic programme of investment, merger and acquisition.
Founded in 1919, and with a longstanding international reputation for expertise in plant varieties and seeds, today NIAB’s scientific capabilities span the crop improvement pipeline; from underpinning research required to develop higher yielding more climate resilient crops through to the extensive trials data, agronomy expertise and advice needed to ensure these advances are transferred effectively onto farm.
NIAB is at the forefront of the application of genetics, physiology, soil science, precision agronomy and data science to improve the yield, efficiency and resilience of crop production across the arable, forage and horticulture sectors.
AKC
AKC is an independent partnership owned and operated by Simon Bennett, Robert Loxton & Jenna Copp.
Simon became managing partner in 2016, Robert manages various farming businesses whilst Jenna joined the partnership in 2017 after having successfully completed 10 years within the AKC consultancy team.
Based in Erlestoke near Devizes we offer a professional, confidential and personalised service to farming & agricultural businesses across the South of England. Our consultants are experienced in all aspects of arable, dairy, crop and livestock.
Formed by Lord Denis Carter in 1957 AKC was established to provide a comprehensive costings & business advice service for a group of farm businesses in Wiltshire and Hampshire. Over the years AKC has evolved and expanded its range of services to meet the changing needs of clients. At the heart of our team remains a dedication to provide high quality farm business consultancy & management account information. These remain valuable services to many of our longstanding clients.
The future farming resilience team
NIAB are working closely with farm business consultants Savills and AKC to provide the best technical and business support which can be tailored to your individual business needs.
Elizabeth Stockdale
Project manager, NIAB
Elizabeth Stockdale is head of the integrative interdisciplinary farming systems research team at NIAB and has over 25 years applied soil and nutrient management research experience.
Most recently she has been very active in developing farmer-focussed approaches to measurement of soil health and investigation of options for landscape change in the Fens. She designed and leads the overall FFRF delivery for the Partnership that aims to support individual change management planning on-farm.
Douglas Hobbs
Technical project manager, NIAB
Douglas Hobbs is a technical project manager at NIAB. He spent 15 years at the John Innes Centre working as a molecular geneticist and biochemist and five years as part of the senior
management team at a plant breeding company. He has worked at NIAB for eleven years, developing NIAB's technical training business ARTIS and KE activities including developing farmer-facing implementation guides, tools and handbooks, face to face, virtual and digital training and field events.
Adrian Matthews
Consultant, Savills
Adrian joined Savills in 2015 and is a director in the food and farming team based in Salisbury. He began his career as a farm business consultant in 1989 providing strategic business advice to
farm businesses throughout the south of England.
Having grown up on a dairy and arable farm in east Devon, his client base is predominantly mixed livestock and arable farming.
Adrian also leads the food and farming team's food industry group, providing agriculture sector advice to food producing and processing businesses.
James Berry
Consultant, AKC
James’ background is in the dairy and livestock industries. He provides strategic and financial advice as well as bespoke nutrition and dairy technical service.
His key skills are business strategy, nutrition, financial budgeting and cross compliance. James is originally from a dairy farming background in the southwest.
Greg Crawford
Consultant, NIAB
Greg Crawford has a strong passion for business, farming and the environment, which led him to study agricultural business management at Newcastle University. He went on to work for
various agri-businesses working across arable, beef and horticulture before joining NIAB last year as the farm business resilience consultant.
Greg's role is visiting participants of FFRF to complete the farm business review and report that forms the initial stage of the FFRF support, before signposting to specialist technical advice across the three organisations
Jo Bellett-Travers
Technical project officer, NIAB
Jo is NIAB Technical Project Officer for Paludiculture and Future Farming Resilience Fund (FFRF). She studied Agricultural Chemistry at university and carried out a masters degree in
agricultural economics at Reading University. Jo has over 20 years’ experience in senior management, an agricultural expert in data and business systems, specialising in diversification, agroforestry, and data management. Jo has experience of working in France in Agri-information and as an interpreter for the British Council, in IT in The Netherlands and is a trained agricultural journalist.