Guided by Experience: Meet the Farm Business Innovation 2025 Steering Committee
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As the UK’s leading event dedicated to farm diversification, Farm Business Innovation is designed to equip farmers and rural landowners with the tools, knowledge, and inspiration they need to futureproof their businesses.
To achieve this, we work closely with a handpicked Steering Committee, a group of respected professionals from across agriculture, sustainability, land management, marketing, and innovation. Their deep knowledge of the sector, on-the-ground experience, and forward-thinking perspectives ensure that every element of the show is relevant, impactful, and rooted in real-life opportunity.
Our goal is to deliver an event shaped by the people who know the industry best, for the benefit of our visitors, exhibitors, and the wider rural economy.
Why a Steering Committee?
The pace of change in farming is accelerating. From environmental policy and food security to agritech, vertical farming and tourism, the sector is shifting fast, and success demands fresh thinking. The Steering Committee is here to ensure the show stays aligned with the issues, innovations, and opportunities that matter most. Their role is to help guide programme content, suggest leading voices, highlight emerging trends, and help us focus on the tools and knowledge that landowners really need.
Meet the experts behind this year’s event:
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Rory Hodgson – Principal Land Manager, Environment Bank
Rory is a Chartered Surveyor and Agricultural Valuer who plays a leading role in helping landowners unlock the benefits of biodiversity net gain through habitat creation. As the National Land Acquisition Lead for Environment Bank, Rory brings deep expertise in sustainable land use and landowner engagement.
Rory says:
“For Environment Bank, the Farm Business Innovation show has consistently been one of our most successful events for generating new land registrations. I am excited to be a part of the steering committee as it will allow me to have an influence on the direction of the show to make sure that it continues to attract innovative landowners.”
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Mark Horler – Founder & Chairman, UK Urban AgriTech (UKUAT)
A prominent voice in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), Mark has spent more than a decade building networks and thought leadership in vertical farming. His work connects startups, policymakers, and landowners, making him an essential voice for how tech-enabled food systems can thrive within UK farming.
Mark says:
“Having previously attended, exhibited and presented at this event, I have seen firsthand an ever-growing level of interest in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) from the farming and landowning communities. Farm Business Innovation is a great opportunity to reach out to these communities, and we've had fantastic conversations both at the event and following on from it. I'm therefore very excited to join the steering committee to help further strengthen this relationship and offering, as well as the event overall.”
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Lewis Pennicott – Marketing Director, Cleveland Containers
Lewis has been a driving force behind Cleveland’s success and their diversification into the self-storage sector. With experience advising rural businesses on launching storage operations, Lewis understands how landowners can monetise unused space with minimal disruption.
Lewis says:
“I’m thrilled to be part of the steering committee for the Farm Business Innovation Show this year, a show we’ve proudly exhibited at since 2016. Having sponsored the keynote theatre for the past two years and spoken at the event for the last three, we’ve seen firsthand how valuable this show is, it’s consistently our best event of the year, delivering exceptional ROI. I’m excited to contribute to the ongoing success of the show by bringing my experience and insights to the committee, helping to ensure it continues to thrive and provide value for exhibitors and attendees alike.”
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Katie Williams – Events Specialist, Sykes Cottages
With a background in events and rural tourism, Katie brings vital insights into how farm stays and rural retreats can become profitable diversification routes. Her current role with Sykes Cottages gives her access to trends and real-world examples from thousands of property owners across the UK.
Katie says:
“I’m super excited to be representing Sykes Holiday Cottages on this fabulous show committee. I’m excited to hear and see all the plans for Farm Business Innovation 2025!”
Join Us This November
This year’s Farm Business Innovation Show promises to be our most ambitious yet, thanks in no small part to the people helping to shape it. If you’re a landowner looking to create new income streams, solve operational challenges, or simply gather new ideas, don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the best in the business.
