Guided by Experience: Meet the Farm Business Innovation 2026 Steering Committee

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: 

Stuart Beare, Founder, Tulley’s Farm  

Stuart Beare is the visionary behind Tulleys Farm, one of the UK’s leading names in immersive seasonal attractions and rural diversification. A third-generation farmer turned entertainment entrepreneur, Stuart transformed a traditional family pick-your-own farm into a powerhouse of innovation, known for pioneering events including Europe’s largest scream park. Under his leadership, Tulleys has grown into a year-round business that seamlessly blends farming heritage with cutting-edge production, live entertainment, and themed experiences. His unique approach to experiential farming, brand building, and strategic diversification has inspired countless rural enterprises across the UK. 

 

 

Heather Parry - Managing Agent, National Farm Attractions Network (NFAN).

Energetic, tenacious, and passionate about bringing people together, Heather has a wealth of experience, from running events and building venues to managing associations. She thrives on creating connections and driving success.

Commenting on the show, Heather said: “The FBI show is THE show that brings the farming industry together to look forward with excitement at creating a better business’s.” 

 

 

 

Georgina Lamb, Head of Partnerships, FCN

As Head of Partnerships at FCN, Georgina works closely with the agricultural business community and organisations who support the work of the charity.  She is a first-generation beef farmer's daughter from Halifax and has spent most of her career in the farming charity sector, as well as being hands-on at the family farm.  Whilst recognising that as an industry farming isn't without its difficulties, Georgina is passionate about championing British agriculture and reinforcing the message that resilience, positivity and mindfulness is key in a successful farming business. 

 

 

Commenting on the show, Georgina said, “I am delighted to represent FCN as part of the FBI steering group.  It is so important that we explore new and innovative ways of making this the number one event for farm diversification and helping it grow from strength to strength.  FBI is a lively informative event with everything under one roof so a real one stop shop to look at the opportunities and the future direction of your faming business.” 

Katie Williams, Sykes Cottages  

Katie Williams is from Oswestry, Shropshire and has strong agricultural roots stemming from over ten years of involvement in Shropshire Young Farmers, having previously held the role of County Chairman's Secretary. For the past four years, Katie has worked for Sykes Cottages. Katie is passionate about the Farm Business Innovation Show as a vital place for networking and connection, bringing together farmers, landowners and industry experts. She values the show’s role in inspiring farmers who are looking to diversify their businesses, share ideas and explore new opportunities beyond traditional farming models. 

 

 

 

 

Mark Horler, Founder & Chairman, UK Urban AgriTech (UKUAT)

Mark has been involved in the Vertical Farming & CEA industry for more than 10 years. He is the Founder & Chairman of UK Urban AgriTech (UKUAT), bringing together the leading companies, universities and individuals in the UK urban agritech industry. He is also the Founder of CEA Proteins and does freelance consulting and project management across the industry. In his work he has dealt extensively with industry standardisation & interoperability, sustainability certification, vertical farming education and vertical farming policy. His expertise is in building networks and associations that maximise value for their members and translating research and development into industry impact.  

 

Commenting on the show, Mark said, “I am pleased to be invited back to the steering group of the Farm Business Innovation Show. The event continues to represent a fantastic opportunity to meet with farmers and landowners and have real conversations about how they can profitably diversify into Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). I look forward to working with the team to improve this offering yet further, and to being there when the time comes.”

Phil Latham, Owner, Kelsall Hill Equestrian Centre

Phil Latham runs Kelsall Hill Equestrian Centre in Cheshire, where he has transformed the family’s former dairy farm into a thriving rural enterprise. The 400-hectare business now includes state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor arenas, a cross-country course, café, holiday cottages, commercial units, and a haylage business. Each year the centre welcomes around 30,000 competitors, supported by a team of 100 staff. Alongside the equestrian operation, the farm also produces maize, fodder beet, and grass leys, with grazing for youngstock.

 

 

 

Alex Moss, Founding Partner, Dudley Peverill Associates LLP

Alex is a founding partner at Dudley Peverill Associates LLP (DPA), with experience spanning farm business consultancy and rural enterprise development. Within the business, he leads on rural project consultancy and project management, helping clients bring forward diversified enterprise and property investment projects that are commercially robust and practically deliverable. Drawing on both hands-on farming experience and advisory expertise, he has a strong understanding of the challenges facing modern farm businesses and the constraints that can limit even the most ambitious and forward-thinking rural business owners. This grounding allows him to provide advice that is commercially realistic, informed by experience, and tailored to the needs of rural clients.

 

Commenting on the show, Alex said, “I’m really pleased to be part of the steering group for the Farm Business Innovation Show at such a pivotal time for the agricultural sector, when adaptability has never been more important. Rural and farming businesses are operating in an increasingly challenging economic and policy environment, and events like this play a vital role in championing practical ideas and innovation that can build resilience and support a stronger future for rural businesses.”

Rob Copley, co-owner, Farmer Copleys

Robert Copley is the co-owner of Farmer Copleys in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, which he runs alongside his wife, Heather. With a lifelong passion for British farming, food, and community, Robert has played a key role in developing Farmer Copleys into one of the UK’s leading agritourism destinations. As a proud advocate for the farming and retail industries, Robert has recently served as Chairman of the Farm Retail Association and Chairman of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, championing the growth and innovation of British agriculture.

 

 

 

 

Kelly Chandler, Wedding Venue Business Consultant

Kelly Chandler has been a specialist Wedding Venue Business Consultant and trainer since 2014 supplying consultancy and training courses to farmers and landowners considering or already diversified into hosting weddings for many years.  She’s been a regular at Farm Business Innovation for almost 10 years. She assists at different stages of the business journey.  This may be with initial viability of a suitable wedding diversification location or filling in essential gaps in understanding of what entry to this market really means and what the commercial gains are for business planning.  Kelly also supports established wedding venue business owners and hands-on operators and their teams to sustain their success and achieve their next level of growth. 

 

 

Commenting on the show, Kelly said, “FBI is a regular in my diary, its a unique event to reconnect with clients old and new. Such a superb space for farmers and landowners to step out of their worlds, look wider and deeper at opportunities, connections and gain valued support and advice on how to get new diversifications off the ground or how to develop them more.”  

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.