Lord Taylor, a prominent figure in the Conservative Party, has held various roles including peerage in 2006, serving as a minister in Defra and the Home Office, and acting as Chief Whip in the House of Lords from 2014-2019. As a former President of the Lincolnshire and East of England Agricultural Societies, he understands the agricultural industry’s challenges, particularly in adapting farming practices amid changing regulations. As the new President of the Institute, Lord Taylor aims to promote excellence by sharing best practices and influencing policy, helping farmers maximize productivity while navigating a complex environment.

Simon Britton has now established his own firm of Agri Consultants, S&S Britton LLP. Previously at Knight Frank as National Head of Agri Business Consultancy. He is a Fellow of the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants (BIAC) and its current Vice Chairman. His also a Fellow of The Institute of Agricultural Management.

Previous to this Simon has been a Partner in Strutt & Parker, Director of Savills and also a partner in Andersons The Farm Business Consultants.

Over the last 29 years, Simon has gained extensive experience in Agriculture and Rural based Consultancy and all its aspects, including dealing with private, corporate and institutional landowners to provide tailored consultancy and business management solutions. He adopts a holistic approach, ensuring that every aspect of client’s rural business is carefully considered to maximise its potential. He delivers sustainable solutions while balancing financial performance, environmental enhancements and social inclusion.

Simon Britton is the founder of S&S Britton LLP, an independent agricultural consultancy firm providing strategic business advice to private, corporate, and institutional clients across the rural sector.

With almost three decades of experience in agriculture and rural business consultancy, Simon brings a wealth of expertise to every project. His career has included senior leadership roles such as National Head of Agri-Business Consultancy at Knight Frank, Partner at Strutt & Parker, Director at Savills, and Partner at Andersons – The Farm Business Consultants.

Simon is a Fellow of the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants (BIAC), where he currently serves as Vice Chairman, and a Fellow of the Institute of Agricultural Management.

His approach is holistic and forward-thinking, considering every aspect of a client’s rural enterprise to unlock its full potential. Simon is committed to delivering sustainable, tailored solutions that balance financial performance, environmental stewardship, and social value, ensuring long-term success for the businesses he advises.

Thomas is a Director and Head of Food and Farming in South for Savills

He has over 25 years’ experience in delivering strategic management advice and consultancy to Private Clients and farming businesses.

Thomas delivers day to day management advice with an emphasis on practical consultancy and delivering business objectives. He reports directly to Private Estate and Farm Owners, Trustees and Directors.

In addition to responsibility for routine management reporting and financial planning he delivers strategic reviews including farm business audits and benchmarking against industry standards

He is also involved in delivering strategic management advice on land purchases and the subsequent setting up appropriate farming systems as well as having wide ranging experience in setting up and managing Contract Farming agreements.

He is Trustee and Treasurer of The Society of Agriculture was selected for the Institute of Agricultural Management Leadership Development Programme 2014

Wendy Jenkins is a director and founding member of CARA Wales Ltd, a firm of agricultural and business consultants based in West Wales. Wendy has extensive experience in providing all aspects of business management advice to farmers including analysing business performance, benchmarking and discussing future options. CARA Wales was formed in 2005, and has developed into one main agricultural consultancy businesses in Wales. 

Wendy graduated from Aberystwyth with a degree in Agriculture and Business Studies, and has over 25 years’ experience in consultancy. She has extensive knowledge of support schemes in Wales, and is currently supporting farmers with the transition to new Sustainable Farming scheme. She is also a Lead Consultant on the  Farming Connect Farm Advisory Service, and is regularly called upon to give presentations on various aspects of farm business planning to Farming Connect discussion groups.

Following 20 years of membership of the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants, Wendy was elected as Chair of the organisation in 2025.

David Meredith is the Principal Rural Business Consultant at DJM Consulting, a consultancy firm that he started in 2004. With over 35 years of working for farmers, David is able to draw on his wealth of experience and expertise to the benefit of his clients, colleagues and tribunals. His enthusiasm for all things rural coupled with his gentle approach, grit and determination to succeed for his clients on every task has proved invaluable.

The broad range of work in which David is involved includes:

• Strategic consultancy, mentoring and training for farmers and agricultural professionals
• Estate reviews, financial appraisals, business plans, joint ventures
• Valuations; from stock taking to taxation
• Rural business grants
• Expert witness work

Son of an upland beef and sheep farmer in mid-Wales, David has served as Chairman of BIAC, founded a national buying group, sits on several DEFRA stakeholder groups and is a TFA Local Lead. He is also a Mentor for The Royal Countryside Fund and a Director of the Natural Capital Consortium, focusing on monetising natural capital for farmers.

Alongside his consultancy, David owns and manages a 650-acre mixed family farm in Shropshire, giving him a clear, hands-on perspective that turns advice into practical solutions.

Richard, hailing from a farming family in Shropshire, began his agricultural career with a YTS apprenticeship, followed by a diploma at Warwickshire College. He gained experience working on the Pilkington Estate, Warwickshire and in the U.S. Midwest before becoming Farm Manager at Warwickshire College and later Farms Manager at the Lowther Estate, where he won prestigious awards. In 2008, Richard transitioned to Director of Farming at Lowther, and is now Farms Director for Huntapac Produce Ltd. Huntapac are based in Tarleton, Lancashire which grow, pack and distribute fresh produce across the UK.

Richard is also a Fellow of CARAS and the Royal Agricultural Society, a Chartered Environmentalist, and a mentor for the Lord Plumb Foundation.

Mark Suthern is a highly respected leader in UK agriculture and rural sustainability, with more than 35 years banking experience ultimately supporting farmers, landowners, and rural communities. He spent his career with Barclays Plc, ultimately serving as Managing Director and National Head of Agriculture, where he led national strategy across farming, landed estates, and sustainability.

Today, Mark holds a diverse portfolio of influential roles across the agricultural, environmental, and rural sectors. He is Chair and Trustee of the Arthur Rank Centre and serves as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of Flood and Coastal Risk Management for the Environment Agency (DEFRA). He continues to champion the next generation of agricultural leaders as a Mentor for the Lord Henry Plumb Foundation, and he organises the Farming Consultations at St George’s House, Windsor Castle.

Mark has contributed to key national publications and policy thinking, co-authoring The Independent Review of UK Farm Assurance (2024) and the Green Finance Institute report, Financing the Farming Transition (2023). In the faith and heritage sector, he is a Lay Canon and Senior Non-Executive member of the Chapter of Lincoln Cathedral.

Deeply committed to farmer wellbeing and rural resilience, Mark formerly served as Chair of the Farming Community Network (FCN).

Victoria Bywater is a strategic leader and consultant specialising in professional development and organisational growth within UK agriculture. As a driving force behind the creation of the Society of Agriculture (SocAg), she has played a pivotal role in uniting leading professional bodies and shaping a modern framework across the sector. Alongside her work, Victoria focuses on building partnerships, advancing professional standards, and strengthening the links between education, consultancy, and farm management to support the next generation of agricultural professionals.