Bill Young

CEO, Addington Fund

About the Addington Fund 

We exist to support you when you need help the most. What we do is unique. By providing housing, and disaster relief in the form of animal feed or services to farmers in need across England and Wales, we stand by your side and help you get back on your feet. 

Chief Executive – Bill Young

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Chris Guest

AIC Chairman,

As Managing Director of LS Plant Breeding Ltd and Chairman of the AIC Board, Cambridgeshire-based Mr Guest brings a wealth of industry knowledge and experience to the role.

Chris studied Rural Land Management at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester, before joining Gleadell Agriculture, now ADM Agriculture, in 2008 managing the company's seed operations as Head of Seed.

He is a British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB) Board Member, Trustee of East of England Agricultural Society and has previously sat on AHDB Recommended List committees.

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Anna Hill

Conference Chairman, AIC

Anna has worked for BBC Radio for 36 years and has been presenting Farming Today since 1995. 

She joined the BBC full time in 1986 at BBC Radio Sussex in Brighton. After becoming News Editor and then breakfast Editor at BBC Radio Surrey, Anna moved to BBC Radio Four in 1992 as a continuity announcer, reading Shipping Forecasts, running the Radio 4 schedule, and presenting the news. 

Anna combined her on-air skills with her journalism and joined Farming Today on BBC Radio 4 as Presenter, which she continues today. She has covered many major stories in that time including BSE, Foot and Mouth, Bovine TB,  and has travelled to the Falklands, South America, South Africa and much of Europe to report on farming stories. 

As part of a small team at Farming Today, Anna helps to decide what goes into the programme; travels around the country interviewing politicians, scientists and farmers; edits her own interviews and writes the scripts.  

From 2016-2020 Anna was also a Director at the Oxford Farming Conference, holding various Secretaries of State to account over government policy. 

Over the last 20 or so years Anna’s taken care to try to present complex countryside issues to all listeners (about 1 million every week) – even if they know nothing about farming at all. She hopes her best skill is listening and tries to make Farming Today informative, entertaining and accessible. 

She lives in Norfolk and spends as much spare time as possible trying to keep up with her friends, racing kayaks on rivers throughout the East of England. 

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Robert Sheasby

AIC Chief Executive, AIC

Robert Sheasby was appointed the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) Chief Executive in May 2018.  In this role Robert has overall responsibility for all aspects of the AIC, across its political lobbying, member representation and the six trade assurance schemes it runs on behalf of the agricultural supply sector.  Robert joined the AIC after 17 years at the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) where he had held various roles, most recently as NFU Regional Director for East Anglia.  Prior to this Robert had been Regional Director in the North West and NFU Surveyor for England & Wales.

Robert studied at Seale Hayne Agricultural College and holds a degree in Rural Estate Management as well as being a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).  Prior to joining the NFU in 2001 Robert worked in the South West and the Thames Valley for firms of chartered surveyors as land agent and auctioneer.  Robert is also a member of the Agricultural Law Association (ALA).

Robert is experienced in agricultural political lobbying both at a national and European level.  He has been involved in the development of national policy with Government, shaped European policy, as well as worked with national infrastructure companies to develop framework agreements for national use.

In addition to his daytime role Robert is a Governor at Easton and Otley Agricultural College which covers Norfolk, Suffolk and beyond.  This role provides not only insight to the future of our industry but also enables him to contribute something in return to the industry.

In his personal life Robert is married to Anna and they have three daughters, Olivia, Matilda and Isabelle.  Away from work Robert enjoys rugby, cycling and mountain walking.

: https://www.agindustries.org.uk
: robertsheasby
: @Agindustriesuk

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Allan Wilkinson

Head of Agrifoods, HSBC UK Bank plc

Allan Wilkinson is a dairy farmer’s son from a tenanted farm in North Yorkshire. A graduate in Agriculture from Aberystwyth University, he commenced working for the Milk Marketing Board’s Farm Management Services in Leicestershire, he then joined the Midland Bank’s Agriculture team in1988 becoming HSBC’s Head of Agriculture in 2010.  

He is currently Head of Agrifoods at HSBC UK, a role he has held for the past 7 years covering food chains and systems from farm to fork. He sits on a number of industry bodies including the Food and Drink Sector Council’s Exporter’s Forum, and its Agriculture Productivity Task Force, as well as the University of Exeter’s Impact of Covid on the UK food chain. He is  a Trustee of the Prince’s Countryside Fund, a Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Farmers and a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies. Allan is married to Michelle, they have two grown up children, and they live in East Yorkshire 

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Gavin Hodgson

Director of Agriculture, Horticulture & Aquaculture, Sainsbury's

Gavin has over 20 years agricultural experience, with the last six working with Sainsbury's in processing and retail. His highly topical talk will tackle the impact of the cost of living crisis on managing the agri-food supply chain.

Gavin started out as a Farm Manager at various pig, mixed and poultry farms throughout the UK & Northern Ireland. Then, he lectured in Agriculture for three years before moving into the commercial world, holding a variety of roles at Dunbia.

Gavin joined Sainsbury’s Agriculture Team in 2014. Six years later, he became Buying Manager in the Meat, Fish & Poultry. This year, Gavin was appointed Director of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Horticulture. He now oversees a team of 17, focused on supply chain resilience and sustainability, security of supply and innovation.

Gavin is passionate about efficient, profitable and sustainable supply chains and takes a science-based approach, underpinned by key insights from data.

 

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Tom Bradshaw

President, NFU

Tom Bradshaw, the newly elected President of the National Farmers’ Union of England and Wales, farms in partnership with his wife, Emily, and his parents in North Essex.  Alongside a small owned farm they run a contract farming business growing a range of combinable crops in North East Essex.  

Tom was Chair of the National Crops Board before becoming part of the Presidential team in 2020, serving 2 years as Vice and 2 years as Deputy. 

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Robert Sheasby

AIC Chief Executive, AIC

Robert Sheasby was appointed the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) Chief Executive in May 2018.  In this role Robert has overall responsibility for all aspects of the AIC, across its political lobbying, member representation and the six trade assurance schemes it runs on behalf of the agricultural supply sector.  Robert joined the AIC after 17 years at the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) where he had held various roles, most recently as NFU Regional Director for East Anglia.  Prior to this Robert had been Regional Director in the North West and NFU Surveyor for England & Wales.

Robert studied at Seale Hayne Agricultural College and holds a degree in Rural Estate Management as well as being a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).  Prior to joining the NFU in 2001 Robert worked in the South West and the Thames Valley for firms of chartered surveyors as land agent and auctioneer.  Robert is also a member of the Agricultural Law Association (ALA).

Robert is experienced in agricultural political lobbying both at a national and European level.  He has been involved in the development of national policy with Government, shaped European policy, as well as worked with national infrastructure companies to develop framework agreements for national use.

In addition to his daytime role Robert is a Governor at Easton and Otley Agricultural College which covers Norfolk, Suffolk and beyond.  This role provides not only insight to the future of our industry but also enables him to contribute something in return to the industry.

In his personal life Robert is married to Anna and they have three daughters, Olivia, Matilda and Isabelle.  Away from work Robert enjoys rugby, cycling and mountain walking.

: https://www.agindustries.org.uk
: robertsheasby
: @Agindustriesuk

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Gavin Hodgson

Director of Agriculture, Horticulture & Aquaculture, Sainsbury's

Gavin has over 20 years agricultural experience, with the last six working with Sainsbury's in processing and retail. His highly topical talk will tackle the impact of the cost of living crisis on managing the agri-food supply chain.

Gavin started out as a Farm Manager at various pig, mixed and poultry farms throughout the UK & Northern Ireland. Then, he lectured in Agriculture for three years before moving into the commercial world, holding a variety of roles at Dunbia.

Gavin joined Sainsbury’s Agriculture Team in 2014. Six years later, he became Buying Manager in the Meat, Fish & Poultry. This year, Gavin was appointed Director of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Horticulture. He now oversees a team of 17, focused on supply chain resilience and sustainability, security of supply and innovation.

Gavin is passionate about efficient, profitable and sustainable supply chains and takes a science-based approach, underpinned by key insights from data.

 

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Allan Wilkinson

Head of Agrifoods, HSBC UK Bank plc

Allan Wilkinson is a dairy farmer’s son from a tenanted farm in North Yorkshire. A graduate in Agriculture from Aberystwyth University, he commenced working for the Milk Marketing Board’s Farm Management Services in Leicestershire, he then joined the Midland Bank’s Agriculture team in1988 becoming HSBC’s Head of Agriculture in 2010.  

He is currently Head of Agrifoods at HSBC UK, a role he has held for the past 7 years covering food chains and systems from farm to fork. He sits on a number of industry bodies including the Food and Drink Sector Council’s Exporter’s Forum, and its Agriculture Productivity Task Force, as well as the University of Exeter’s Impact of Covid on the UK food chain. He is  a Trustee of the Prince’s Countryside Fund, a Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Farmers and a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies. Allan is married to Michelle, they have two grown up children, and they live in East Yorkshire 

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Tom Bradshaw

President, NFU

Tom Bradshaw, the newly elected President of the National Farmers’ Union of England and Wales, farms in partnership with his wife, Emily, and his parents in North Essex.  Alongside a small owned farm they run a contract farming business growing a range of combinable crops in North East Essex.  

Tom was Chair of the National Crops Board before becoming part of the Presidential team in 2020, serving 2 years as Vice and 2 years as Deputy. 

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Anna Hill

Conference Chairman, AIC

Anna has worked for BBC Radio for 36 years and has been presenting Farming Today since 1995. 

She joined the BBC full time in 1986 at BBC Radio Sussex in Brighton. After becoming News Editor and then breakfast Editor at BBC Radio Surrey, Anna moved to BBC Radio Four in 1992 as a continuity announcer, reading Shipping Forecasts, running the Radio 4 schedule, and presenting the news. 

Anna combined her on-air skills with her journalism and joined Farming Today on BBC Radio 4 as Presenter, which she continues today. She has covered many major stories in that time including BSE, Foot and Mouth, Bovine TB,  and has travelled to the Falklands, South America, South Africa and much of Europe to report on farming stories. 

As part of a small team at Farming Today, Anna helps to decide what goes into the programme; travels around the country interviewing politicians, scientists and farmers; edits her own interviews and writes the scripts.  

From 2016-2020 Anna was also a Director at the Oxford Farming Conference, holding various Secretaries of State to account over government policy. 

Over the last 20 or so years Anna’s taken care to try to present complex countryside issues to all listeners (about 1 million every week) – even if they know nothing about farming at all. She hopes her best skill is listening and tries to make Farming Today informative, entertaining and accessible. 

She lives in Norfolk and spends as much spare time as possible trying to keep up with her friends, racing kayaks on rivers throughout the East of England. 

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Mark Spencer MP

Minister of State, Defra, England,

Mark Spencer was first elected as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Sherwood in 2010. Mark is also a local farmer and businessman. Mark's family have lived in Sherwood for four generations in Lambley- where he still lives today with his wife and two children.

Born in 1970, Mark went to Lambley Primary School then Colonel Frank Seely School in Calverton. He then studied at Shuttleworth Agricultural College in Bedfordshire, before joining the family farm business which now employs around 50 local people, growing produce which is sold in the farm shop.

Before entering Parliament, Mark was Chairman of the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs as well as a District and County Councillor.

Since becoming a Member of Parliament, Mark has served on several committees including the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee. In 2016, the then Prime Minister, Theresa May MP, appointed Mark to the Government Whips Office as an Assistant Government Whip. Mark also held various other posts in the Whips Office including Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury (2017-2018), Vice Chamberlain of HM Household (2018) and Comptroller of HM Household (2018-2019). 

In July 2019, Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, appointed Mark to the Cabinet in the post of Government Chief Whip and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury. He served in this role until February 2022, when the Prime Minister appointed Mark, Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council.

Following the election of Liz Truss as Prime MInister, Mark was appointed as Minister of State in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Mark still spends his time campaigning for Sherwood, and ensuring that his priorities for the local community are delivered. 

: https://www.markspencer.org.uk

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Mairi Gougeon MSP

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands,

Mairi Gougeon was previously a councillor for Brechin and Edzell, during which she was chairwoman of the East of Scotland European Consortium. 

She is a history graduate from the University of Aberdeen. 

Mairi was elected as the MSP for Angus North and Mearns in May 2016. She was appointed Minister for Public Health and Sport in December 2020. 

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Lesley Griffiths MS

Minister for Rural Affairs, North Wales and Trefnydd,

Lesley Griffiths has lived and worked in Wrexham all her adult life.  As a strong supporter of devolution for Wales, she played an active role in the 1997 'Yes for Wales' campaign.

She was first elected to the National Assembly for Wales in May 2007 and served on several Assembly Committees. 

She has held a number of Ministerial posts in Welsh Government since December 2009 as Minister for Science, Innovation and Skills, Health and Social Services, Local Government and Government Business, Communities and Tackling Poverty and across a range of Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs portfolios.

Following the Senedd election in May 2021, Lesley was appointed Minister for Rural Affairs, North Wales and Trefnydd.

Outside of politics, her main hobbies are music, walking and watching Wrexham Football Club.

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Robert Sheasby

AIC Chief Executive, AIC

Robert Sheasby was appointed the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) Chief Executive in May 2018.  In this role Robert has overall responsibility for all aspects of the AIC, across its political lobbying, member representation and the six trade assurance schemes it runs on behalf of the agricultural supply sector.  Robert joined the AIC after 17 years at the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) where he had held various roles, most recently as NFU Regional Director for East Anglia.  Prior to this Robert had been Regional Director in the North West and NFU Surveyor for England & Wales.

Robert studied at Seale Hayne Agricultural College and holds a degree in Rural Estate Management as well as being a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).  Prior to joining the NFU in 2001 Robert worked in the South West and the Thames Valley for firms of chartered surveyors as land agent and auctioneer.  Robert is also a member of the Agricultural Law Association (ALA).

Robert is experienced in agricultural political lobbying both at a national and European level.  He has been involved in the development of national policy with Government, shaped European policy, as well as worked with national infrastructure companies to develop framework agreements for national use.

In addition to his daytime role Robert is a Governor at Easton and Otley Agricultural College which covers Norfolk, Suffolk and beyond.  This role provides not only insight to the future of our industry but also enables him to contribute something in return to the industry.

In his personal life Robert is married to Anna and they have three daughters, Olivia, Matilda and Isabelle.  Away from work Robert enjoys rugby, cycling and mountain walking.

: https://www.agindustries.org.uk
: robertsheasby
: @Agindustriesuk

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Mark Spencer MP

Minister of State, Defra, England,

Mark Spencer was first elected as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Sherwood in 2010. Mark is also a local farmer and businessman. Mark's family have lived in Sherwood for four generations in Lambley- where he still lives today with his wife and two children.

Born in 1970, Mark went to Lambley Primary School then Colonel Frank Seely School in Calverton. He then studied at Shuttleworth Agricultural College in Bedfordshire, before joining the family farm business which now employs around 50 local people, growing produce which is sold in the farm shop.

Before entering Parliament, Mark was Chairman of the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs as well as a District and County Councillor.

Since becoming a Member of Parliament, Mark has served on several committees including the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee. In 2016, the then Prime Minister, Theresa May MP, appointed Mark to the Government Whips Office as an Assistant Government Whip. Mark also held various other posts in the Whips Office including Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury (2017-2018), Vice Chamberlain of HM Household (2018) and Comptroller of HM Household (2018-2019). 

In July 2019, Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, appointed Mark to the Cabinet in the post of Government Chief Whip and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury. He served in this role until February 2022, when the Prime Minister appointed Mark, Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council.

Following the election of Liz Truss as Prime MInister, Mark was appointed as Minister of State in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Mark still spends his time campaigning for Sherwood, and ensuring that his priorities for the local community are delivered. 

: https://www.markspencer.org.uk

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Anna Hill

Conference Chairman, AIC

Anna has worked for BBC Radio for 36 years and has been presenting Farming Today since 1995. 

She joined the BBC full time in 1986 at BBC Radio Sussex in Brighton. After becoming News Editor and then breakfast Editor at BBC Radio Surrey, Anna moved to BBC Radio Four in 1992 as a continuity announcer, reading Shipping Forecasts, running the Radio 4 schedule, and presenting the news. 

Anna combined her on-air skills with her journalism and joined Farming Today on BBC Radio 4 as Presenter, which she continues today. She has covered many major stories in that time including BSE, Foot and Mouth, Bovine TB,  and has travelled to the Falklands, South America, South Africa and much of Europe to report on farming stories. 

As part of a small team at Farming Today, Anna helps to decide what goes into the programme; travels around the country interviewing politicians, scientists and farmers; edits her own interviews and writes the scripts.  

From 2016-2020 Anna was also a Director at the Oxford Farming Conference, holding various Secretaries of State to account over government policy. 

Over the last 20 or so years Anna’s taken care to try to present complex countryside issues to all listeners (about 1 million every week) – even if they know nothing about farming at all. She hopes her best skill is listening and tries to make Farming Today informative, entertaining and accessible. 

She lives in Norfolk and spends as much spare time as possible trying to keep up with her friends, racing kayaks on rivers throughout the East of England. 

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Anna Hill

Conference Chairman, AIC

Anna has worked for BBC Radio for 36 years and has been presenting Farming Today since 1995. 

She joined the BBC full time in 1986 at BBC Radio Sussex in Brighton. After becoming News Editor and then breakfast Editor at BBC Radio Surrey, Anna moved to BBC Radio Four in 1992 as a continuity announcer, reading Shipping Forecasts, running the Radio 4 schedule, and presenting the news. 

Anna combined her on-air skills with her journalism and joined Farming Today on BBC Radio 4 as Presenter, which she continues today. She has covered many major stories in that time including BSE, Foot and Mouth, Bovine TB,  and has travelled to the Falklands, South America, South Africa and much of Europe to report on farming stories. 

As part of a small team at Farming Today, Anna helps to decide what goes into the programme; travels around the country interviewing politicians, scientists and farmers; edits her own interviews and writes the scripts.  

From 2016-2020 Anna was also a Director at the Oxford Farming Conference, holding various Secretaries of State to account over government policy. 

Over the last 20 or so years Anna’s taken care to try to present complex countryside issues to all listeners (about 1 million every week) – even if they know nothing about farming at all. She hopes her best skill is listening and tries to make Farming Today informative, entertaining and accessible. 

She lives in Norfolk and spends as much spare time as possible trying to keep up with her friends, racing kayaks on rivers throughout the East of England. 

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Judith Evans

Consumer Industries Correspondent, Financial Times

Judith Evans is the consumer industries correspondent for the Financial Times, covering companies producing food, drink, and home and personal care products, along with the UK farming sector. She previously wrote about property and investment for the FT and worked for newswires in the UK and Asia.

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Brent Babb

Regional Director Europe & Middle East/North Africa, USSEC 

Brent serves as Regional Director - Europe & Middle East/North Africa at the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.  Current responsibilities include leadership of USSEC’s Europe & MENA region in building preference for U.S. soy working closely with U.S. farmers, USDA-FAS, the U.S. export industry and soy buyers. Brent led development of the U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP) outlining the national conservation programs utilized by U.S. soy farmers.  Brent holds a Master’s Degree in Marketing from Webster University. 

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Brent Babb

Regional Director Europe & Middle East/North Africa, USSEC 

Brent serves as Regional Director - Europe & Middle East/North Africa at the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.  Current responsibilities include leadership of USSEC’s Europe & MENA region in building preference for U.S. soy working closely with U.S. farmers, USDA-FAS, the U.S. export industry and soy buyers. Brent led development of the U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP) outlining the national conservation programs utilized by U.S. soy farmers.  Brent holds a Master’s Degree in Marketing from Webster University. 

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Anna Hill

Conference Chairman, AIC

Anna has worked for BBC Radio for 36 years and has been presenting Farming Today since 1995. 

She joined the BBC full time in 1986 at BBC Radio Sussex in Brighton. After becoming News Editor and then breakfast Editor at BBC Radio Surrey, Anna moved to BBC Radio Four in 1992 as a continuity announcer, reading Shipping Forecasts, running the Radio 4 schedule, and presenting the news. 

Anna combined her on-air skills with her journalism and joined Farming Today on BBC Radio 4 as Presenter, which she continues today. She has covered many major stories in that time including BSE, Foot and Mouth, Bovine TB,  and has travelled to the Falklands, South America, South Africa and much of Europe to report on farming stories. 

As part of a small team at Farming Today, Anna helps to decide what goes into the programme; travels around the country interviewing politicians, scientists and farmers; edits her own interviews and writes the scripts.  

From 2016-2020 Anna was also a Director at the Oxford Farming Conference, holding various Secretaries of State to account over government policy. 

Over the last 20 or so years Anna’s taken care to try to present complex countryside issues to all listeners (about 1 million every week) – even if they know nothing about farming at all. She hopes her best skill is listening and tries to make Farming Today informative, entertaining and accessible. 

She lives in Norfolk and spends as much spare time as possible trying to keep up with her friends, racing kayaks on rivers throughout the East of England. 

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Judith Evans

Consumer Industries Correspondent, Financial Times

Judith Evans is the consumer industries correspondent for the Financial Times, covering companies producing food, drink, and home and personal care products, along with the UK farming sector. She previously wrote about property and investment for the FT and worked for newswires in the UK and Asia.

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Anna Hill

Conference Chairman, AIC

Anna has worked for BBC Radio for 36 years and has been presenting Farming Today since 1995. 

She joined the BBC full time in 1986 at BBC Radio Sussex in Brighton. After becoming News Editor and then breakfast Editor at BBC Radio Surrey, Anna moved to BBC Radio Four in 1992 as a continuity announcer, reading Shipping Forecasts, running the Radio 4 schedule, and presenting the news. 

Anna combined her on-air skills with her journalism and joined Farming Today on BBC Radio 4 as Presenter, which she continues today. She has covered many major stories in that time including BSE, Foot and Mouth, Bovine TB,  and has travelled to the Falklands, South America, South Africa and much of Europe to report on farming stories. 

As part of a small team at Farming Today, Anna helps to decide what goes into the programme; travels around the country interviewing politicians, scientists and farmers; edits her own interviews and writes the scripts.  

From 2016-2020 Anna was also a Director at the Oxford Farming Conference, holding various Secretaries of State to account over government policy. 

Over the last 20 or so years Anna’s taken care to try to present complex countryside issues to all listeners (about 1 million every week) – even if they know nothing about farming at all. She hopes her best skill is listening and tries to make Farming Today informative, entertaining and accessible. 

She lives in Norfolk and spends as much spare time as possible trying to keep up with her friends, racing kayaks on rivers throughout the East of England. 

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