My parents own a farm in Suffolk, and I worked on local farms during my school vacations. At 18, having gained A-levels in geography, biology and geology, I chose to study agriculture. I decided to go to the University of Newcastle upon Tyne to study for an Honours degree in Agriculture (crop production), and achieved a 2.1.

I joined CWS Farms Group in 1993, as part of its management trainee scheme. My initial placement was at Blairgowrie in Perthshire, where I was responsible for fruit pickers. Brief spells at Goole, East Yorkshire, and Copston Lodge, Leicestershire, followed and in 1995 I went to Stoughton, Leicestershire, where I gained valuable experience of dairy farming.

Following different appointments, in December 1999 I was promoted to specialist crop manager at the Coldham Estate.

At this time the CWS Farms Group’s management development programme provided a combination of planned experience and formal training which intentionally gave trainees responsibility at a very early stage. I developed a range of skills on this programme including: operational skills; husbandry skills (both arable and livestock); resource management and productivity; finance, information and administration; and people management.

The CWS Farms Group has now become Farmcare Limited (part of the Co-Operative Group (CWS) Limited) and has undergone considerable change. Progression opportunities are still available within the business. I have now progressed to become Enterprise Manager at the Coldham Estate.

The benefits of working for an organisation like Farmcare Limited are varied, but include an attractive salary, an excellent pension scheme, and good career prospects.