Hub Supporters

Brown and Co 

Brown & Co’s network of Land Agents and Agri-Business Consultants operate in all their regions of operation enabling them to maintain an unrivalled knowledge in terms of opportunities, valuation advice and market trends at a microlevel.   Their farm agency team has extensive expertise across sales and purchase of farms, estates, land and all aspects of rural property. The company believe that Land Agency should enable you to make more of your rural assets in both the short and long term. Whatever your aims their dedicated team of specialists can help you achieve them.

Brown & Co’s specialist team of Agri-Business Consultants, have more than 25 years of experience in advising farm businesses of all types and sizes and thrives on the challenge of helping their farming clients maximise both annual profits and long-term value. Their advisors are experienced in all aspects of the agricultural sector, working from within the industry to deliver the aims and ambitions of clients.

Contact: Laura Negus, Land Agent, Banbury office
Contact number: 07909 001315
Email: laura.negus@brown-co.com
Website: www.brown-co.com 

cottages.com

cottages.com is home to a unique number of collections which means they can offer thousands of personalised holiday properties in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland,  France and Italy.  Fancy a Dorset cottage holiday or a Lake District break?  Maybe you’d prefer a cottage in Cornwall or delightful Devon – they feature thousands of perfect holiday cottages for you.

Their collections have been curated by a team with decades of experience, and they offer only the finest holiday cottages in gorgeous locations. Each property is regularly inspected and graded to ensure complete comfort and a wonderfully memorable holiday. Plus their Green Scheme Collection of environmentally friendly holiday homes offers cottages that are as gentle to the environment as they are to their guests.

Contact: Sarah Betts
Contact number: 07813 341 562
Email: sarah.betts@cottages.com 
Website: www.cottages.com

County Insurance Services

County Insurance Services is a dynamic, forward-thinking insurance expert which provides a broad range of insurance policies for businesses and private clients.  They are specialists in rural and farm insurance and are one of a handful of insurance providers offering  insurance for thatched properties.  County Insurance pride themselves on building long-term relationships with their clients. They understand individual insurance requirements and provide the most cost-effective solutions.   County Insurance have been offering an insurance service for over 35 years and are still a family-run broker with a genuine focus on its customers.

Contact: Oliver Burns 
Contact number: 01865 290916
Address: County House, Glyme Court, Langford Land, Kidlington, Oxford, OX5 1LQ
Email: oliver@county-insurance.co.uk 
Website: www.county-insurance.co.uk

Ellacotts LLP

With over fifty years’ experience, Ellacotts are market leaders in the agricultural sector. Our staff are from farming backgrounds and understand the challenges and opportunities that face the farming industry. We work with a wide range of farmers, landowners and other agribusinesses to provide individually tailored taxation and accounting services including:

• Succession planning advice
• Accounts and tax return preparation
• Property and land transaction planning
• New venture or diversification
• VAT and bookkeeping 

Contact: Mark Dickin
Contact number: 01295 250401
Address: Countrywide House, 23 West Bar, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 9SA
Email: mdickin@ellacotts.co.uk
Website: www.ellacotts.co.uk

Farm Services Ltd

Farm Services Limited are specialist land drainage contractors, established over 75 years ago, who pride themselves in the service and expertise they offer to their customers in what is now the third generation of family ownership.  Farm Services operates throughout the UK offering both open trench and trenchless drainage solutions with modern, specialist machinery. From design to installation they transform wet, unworkable land into an asset.

Since the birth of agriculture farmers have tried to control the amount of water reaching their crops. Excess water is often a restricting factor in yield and here in Northern Europe we get more than our fair share of rain. A network of drains, carefully designed and correctly installed, can remove excess water and the advantages of doing this are well known; land drainage is a tried and tested technology which is a major part of healthy productive soils.

Contact: Rob Burtonshaw
Contact number: 01926 651540
Address: Chesterton Estate Yard, Banbury Road, Lighthorne, Warwick, CV35 0AF
Email: info@farmservicesltd.co.uk 
Website: www.farmservicesltd.co.uk

Godfrey Payton Chartered Surveyors

Godfrey-Payton is a long-established firm of chartered surveyors, who advise a diverse client base from offices in Warwick, Coventry and Market Harborough. Their Agent’s manage a number of private estates, corporate and investment trusts, as well as helping many landowners and farmers achieve planning permission for barn conversions to large-scale development land. They also advise clients on land and property management, lettings, farm, land and forestry sales.

Godfrey-Payton are AMC Agents and Registered Valuers, as well as offering commercial property management services.

From their Warwick office, Godfrey-Payton run a busy Estate Agents, valuing, selling and letting properties in Warwickshire and the surrounding counties.

Contact number: 01926 492511
Address: 25 High Street, Warwick, CV34 4BB
Website: www.godfrey-payton.co.uk

H G Heath and Sons 

Heath Engineering is an innovative British manufacturer who has been producing agricultural equipment for over seventy years, with many customers learning that equipment carrying the ‘Heath Engineering’ name is synonymous with machines that are built to do the job and will last.  Heath Engineering is part of the HG Heath and Sons group of companies.

Established in 1944, HG Heath & Sons is a family run business based in Shipston on Stour, Warwickshire. With years of experience in farming and agricultural contracting services, they can provide a range of services to suit your every requirement.

Email: rob@hgheath.co.uk
Contact number: 01608 682062
Address: New Bridges Farm, Blackwell, Shipston on Stour, CV36 4JX
Website: www.heathengineering.co.uk

Howkins & Harrison

We’ve been supporting homeowners, landowners, and landlords since 1888. We offer total property, land and estate services to residential, commercial and rural clients.  Our land, farm & rural team is made up of fully qualified chartered surveyors, graduate surveyors, rural property professionals and support teams, all sharing a passion for farming, agriculture and the rural landscape. We work with landowners, occupiers, landlords and tenants, developers, promoters & new homes builders across Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire and further afield.   We support our clients through any land or property matters, sale or acquisition, planning & diversification, grant & subsidy applications, compulsory purchase or any other matters.   We are passionate about the land and farms, estates and clients that we serve and remain committed to making our region’s farmers and landowners successful in all that they do.

Email:james.collier@howkinsandharrison.co.uk 
Contact number: 01827 721385
Website: www.howkinsandharrison.co.uk

Lodders Solicitors

Lodders is a law firm built around outstanding legal advice and exceptional service to regional, national and international private clients. From business owners through to wealthy families, landowners, farmers and successful individuals, clients choose Lodders for our renowned technical expertise and our friendly, partner-led service.

Well known for our expertise in agricultural law, private client and real estate matters, Lodders brings together a team with an impressive array of legal specialisms and a level of service that is renowned for being both personal and responsive.
Lodders currently has four offices in Stratford upon Avon, Cheltenham and Henley in Arden, 25 partners and approximately 140 staff.

Telephone:
Stratford Upon Avon – 01789 293259
Henley in Arden – 01564 792261
Cheltenham – 01242 228370
Birmingham – 0121 200 0890

Contact: Lodders Solicitors LLP
Address: Number Ten, Elm Court,Arden Street, Stratford upon Avon, CV37 6PA
Email: lawyers@lodders.co.uk
Website: www.lodders.co.uk

Newton LDP

Newton LDP is a land, development and property agency with a focus on planning, development and rural businesses. Based in Warwickshire, the company specialises in providing innovative solutions, with a team of highly skilled professionals, committed to delivering exceptional service and results for their valued clients.  The company’s core services include planning and development, strategic land, land & property agency, valuation and rural property consultancy. Newton LDP also offers a range of agribusiness services to support clients in the agricultural sector, including farm business appraisals, grant applications, and advice regarding rural diversification projects.

Newton LDP has a proven track record of delivering results for clients across a range of sectors, including residential, commercial, rural property and agriculture sectors. The company’s approach is based on a clear understanding of the project, combined with a commitment to working collaboratively with clients and stakeholders to achieve their goals.

Contact: Tilly Jackson
Contact number: 01926 674 020
Email: communications@newtonldp.com
Website: www.newtonldp.com

NFU Energy

NFU Energy is one of the UK’s leading and trusted providers of sustainable energy solutions, offering a diverse array of services designed to meet the evolving needs of agricultural and horticultural enterprises, as well as public and private sector organisations.

• Energy Efficiency: We are committed to helping you optimise your energy consumption and streamline operations with our comprehensive solutions, including energy efficiency audits, carbon accounting, consultancy services, and bespoke energy account management packages.
• Renewables: Our unique Renewable Energy Solutions service gives you one-stop-shop access to accredited installers of renewable technology and EV solutions, finance, and insurance, as well as support at every stage of your journey.
• Compliance: We help you stay ahead of the ever-evolving energy landscape, keeping you compliant with all necessary schemes and providing you with a gateway to unlocking various incentives.
• Energy contracts: Finding the best energy deals can be a minefield if you don’t know where to go. We work with a trusted network of suppliers that we communicate with daily to find the best energy prices available on the market.

Contact: Steven Jackson
Contact number: 024 7669 6512
Email: sales@nfuenergy.co.uk
Website: www.nfuenergy.co.uk

Severn Trent Water

Severn Trent Water are one of the largest water and wastewater utilities in the UK. Their catchment management team work with farmers, landowners and businesses in priority catchments to improve the farmed environment, river health, biodiversity, and ultimately, drinking water quality. Our team of agricultural advisors offer a range of grants, training and advice to improve farm infrastructure and implement land management changes, whilst aiding farmers in their own development.

Email: farming4water@severntrent.co.uk
Website: https://www.stwater.co.uk/about-us/environment/working-with-farmers-and-land-managers/farming-for-water/

Shakespeare Martineau

We trace our Stratford roots back to 1974 and our Birmingham roots back to 1768. We provide a friendly and personal service whether you need legal advice for yourself, your family, or your business. Our firm is top ranked in Chambers and Partners and is a member of the NFU panel. Our dedicated team of specialists stands out for its expertise across all aspects of agricultural law, including farm sales and purchases; farming and boundary disputes; and rights to easements. We also advise on family farming partnerships, leases, farm business tenancies, easements and mortgages, and can help you identify development potential of land and buildings.

Contact: Peter Snodgrass
Contact number: 01789 416400
Address: Bridgeway House, Bridgeway, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire CV37 6YX
Email: peter.snodgrass@shma.co.uk
Website: www.shma.co.uk

Sheldon Bosley Knight

When it comes to rural life, your farm, your land and your estate, we believe you need professional advice from qualified, experienced experts with their roots firmly based in country life.

Sheldon Bosley Knight’s dedicated rural team can guide you through all aspects of agricultural, land and estate management matters, offering personal attention at every stage. With such a wealth of knowledge a professional opinion from Sheldon Bosley Knight’s Rural Land Agency team is one to trust.

Contact number: 01608 661666 / 01789 292310
Address: Shipston on Stour / Stratford Upon Avon
Email: shipston@sheldonbosleyknight.co.uk or stratford@sheldonbosleyknight.co.uk
Website: www.sheldonbosleyknight.co.uk

Stratford District Council

John in based in Venture House in Stratford on Avon, a new space for helping businesses to grow.  Venture House provides a unique environment for people starting up a business and for fledgling businesses. The centre aims to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs and offer support to existing small enterprises. Venture House opened its doors in April 2016 and offers a professional and contemporary environment for flexible hot-desking, office accommodation and meeting space. The centre is becoming a place for creativity, partnership working and excellence.  See how they can support your business on this video.  

Contact: John Tonge, Business Enterprise Co-ordinator
Contact number: 01789 267575 
Address: Elizabeth House, Church Street, Stratford on Avon, CV37 6HX
Email: John.tonge@stratford-dc.gov.uk
Website: www.stratford.gov.uk

Syngenta

Syngenta are sponsors of The Forsyth Trophy Lapwing Challenge Cup which is awarded annually for excellence in environmental farming and conservation on a Warwickshire farm.

Syngenta is a world-leading plant science company committed to promoting sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology.  We bring plant potential to life by working to our values: Innovation, Intensity, Health and Performance. These values are at the core of everything we do at Syngenta. They help to guide our actions and decisions.  We increase crop yield and quality with market leading crop protection products and plant varieties. We produce flowers and ornamental products to make Britain a brighter place and our beneficial insects control pests and naturally pollinate plants.  Our cutting edge Research and Development drives our UK crop protection business. Our scientists discover and develop pesticides and continue to make our existing products even safer and more effective.  Several of our market leaders are manufactured in Great Britain, and distributed to farmers in the UK and around the world.

Email: general.enquiries@syngenta.com
Website: www.syngenta.com

Warwick Crop Centre – School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick

Warwick Crop Centre is part of the University’s School of Life Sciences and is an internationally recognised centre for research in sustainable agriculture and horticulture. Fresh produce, including ornamentals, is our speciality but we work on a variety of crops. We undertake a wide range of research in specialist laboratory, field and glasshouse-based facilities to provide high quality science expertise in areas including crop breeding, plant pathology, entomology, agronomy, crop nutrition, plant-soil-microbe interactions, gene editing in horticultural crops, field trials and environmental research.  The UK Vegetable Gene Bank, located on the Wellesbourne Campus, has a remit for the collection, conservation and research study of a range of vegetable crops and their wild relatives.

We work collaboratively with industry to provide innovative solutions to today’s agricultural and horticultural issues and to help maintain a competitive and sustainable farming industry. The Wellesbourne Campus is a member of the Rural Hub’s Sustainable Farming Groups and takes part in collaborative projects focused on biodiversity.

Email: cropcentre@warwick.ac.uk
Contact number: 024 7657 5066
Address: Warwick Crop Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Wellesbourne, Warwick CV35 9EF
Website: Warwick Crop Centre

Wright Hassall

With an agricultural heritage spanning 160 years, we advise farmers, landowners, farming businesses and farming organisations on all their legal matters. We are top ranked by Chambers UK, an independent legal directory, for the quality of our service and the depth of our experience. We advise on all aspects of buying, selling and managing rural property, farms and estates; we also work with agri-businesses on all aspects of their commercial operations from employing people, managing supply chains and dealing with commercial disputes. We regularly advise farming families on how to protect farms for future generations through the use of corporate structures.

Contact: Alex Robinson
Contact number: 01926 883009
Address: Leamington Spa
Email: alexandra.robinson@wrighthassall.co.uk
Website: www.wrighthassall.co.uk

GEORGE BROWNING

GRAHAM COLLIER

ROGER LEA