Cumbrian farmer, cheese maker and dairy owner Martin Gott has been selected to join one of the UK’s most influential and prestigious agricultural development programmes.
Martin is one of twenty-nine people from across the country who have been chosen to become part of the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) 2020 Emerging Leaders Programme.
The aim of the Emerging Leaders Programme is to help the best young leaders in UK agriculture, aged 30-45, to achieve their potential sooner, through the provision of a range of personal and career development opportunities.
The Emerging Leaders Programme now in its fourth year, is part of OFC’s mission to promote and support the next generation of leaders within the agricultural industry. This year’s intake is made up of a diverse group of farmers, researchers and industry professionals, all of whom have been selected for their leadership potential.
So far Martin and his fellow Emerging Leaders have taken part in a managing change workshop and policy discussion with a number of senior industry figures held at the Farmer’s Club in London in November.
The next stage of the process involves Martin and his colleagues attending the 2020 conference, being held at Oxford University between 07-09th January. During which those present will explore the theme “Growing A Healthy Society”. With the aim of focussing on how to strengthen the relationship between the population, the land and the people who produce the nation’s food.
The Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) was first held in 1936, and some 80 years later has become the leading international conference held in the UK in its field. Its mission is to inform, challenge and inspire those who attend, including royalty, UK and overseas politicians, farmers, agribusiness, NGOs, leading scientists, opinion formers and scholars.
OFC Director and Emerging Leaders Programme co-ordinator, Sarah Mukherjee, said: “We have a cracking set of Emerging Leaders for 2020 – diverse, enthusiastic and real leaders in their sectors. Through the networking available to them in the next few months, we hope to champion their ideas and help them play their part in shaping the future of UK agriculture.”
Martin Gott, farmer and member of the OFC Emerging Leaders Programme, commented: ‘’Being part of the Emerging Leaders Programme is a huge development opportunity for me and so far it’s provided me with a chance to meet with a range of inspiring industry figures and discuss the latest agricultural innovation from around the country. Alongside that it has also given me the opportunity to gain an insight into some of the world-class research being undertaken in the agricultural sector and learn more about its potential to shape and grow our society for the future.’’
Rob Gladwin from BASF, sponsors of the Oxford Farming Conference Emerging Leaders Programme, said: “The Oxford Farming Conference offers a unique opportunity for the next crop of Emerging Leaders to have access to a well-respected platform to take part in real and meaningful debate around the biggest issues facing the UK’s agricultural industry. The ideas and relationships formed during the programme will continue to influence the professional and personal lives of the Emerging Leaders for years to come.”
