Overview
Our Agri-Food and Rural Business Group was established to support and develop individuals and rural businesses to service the needs of the Agri-Food industry, addressing key economic opportunities and challenges within the county.
The group is aligned with the government strategic initiative of efficiently producing sustainable food, in addition to maximising business productivity and profitability, whilst striving for net zero. Ultimately, enabling a positive economic impact for Gloucestershire.
Purpose
Supporting sustainable rural businesses with their growth potential, access to workforce and their innovation goals; identifying areas of opportunity and support from associated organisations.
To support the development and delivery of agri-tech innovation in collaboration with other business groups and the Inward Investment team, aligning with the Local Growth Plan and Gloucestershire’s wider ambitions for sustainable rural enterprise.
Support the business consultation on the Local Growth Plan, and inputting the business voice into discussions on Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution.
Terms of Reference
Collaborate with rural food and farming organisations to ensure links with farming, food production and rural community development are sustained.
Provide support and guidance for farmers via county institutions on the replacement of European funding with the basic payment scheme and ELMS.
Develop the sub-groups: Business, Support and Innovation, and Rural Skills Development to support diversified rural businesses, identifying areas for funding, and to work with education establishments to identify skills gaps within the food and farming industries.
Promote the Gloucestershire Food and Farming Partnership and the opportunities this offers communities: food education, community engagement, health and wellbeing.
Delivering on the aspirations of ’Sustainable Food Places’ where healthy and sustainable food is a characteristic of the county.
Work with key stakeholders in the county to promote the role food and farming can play surrounding food origins, diet, public health and wellbeing and value of food and the rural economy.
Click here to download a copy of the Gloucestershire Agri-Food Rural Navigation Network Report .
Group Members
Chair: Claire Whitworth – Deputy Principal, Further Education, Hartpury College
Ben Compton – Partner and Team Manager of the Gloucester Rural Team, Bruton Knowles
David Crofts MRTPI – Trustee, Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE)
Jenny Phelps – Senior Farm Environment Adviser and Glos Team Leader, The Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG)
Gill Reindl – Independent Consultant, Gill Reindl Consulting
Carey Ives – Policy Officer, Gloucestershire County Council
Chris Farr – Rural Adviser for the Southwest, Gloucestershire CLA
Barbara Pond – Head of Operations, Gloucestershire Rural Community Council (GRCC)
Ben Thompson – Agri-Tech Centre Manager, Hartpury University & College
Simon King – Head of External Business Relations, Hartpury University & College
Charles Mann – Organic Farmer, Oxleaze Farm
Currently vacant – National Farmers Union (NFU)
Dr Nigel Stone – Head of Business Innovation and Skills, Royal Agricultural University
Janet Dwyer – Professor of Rural Policy, Countryside & Community Research Institute (CCRI), University of Gloucestershire
Jonathan Powell – Relationship Manager, Agribusiness, Virgin Money
