When I was first asked to write this article I wondered what would be topical to write about, I then realised it would make sense to firstly let you know who I am, and what exactly it is that I do.

So to start things, I’m a Dairy / Sheep farmer’s son from Appleby (not too far from Kendal) and like many farmers children I was told, as I am sure generations over and over have been told before, that farming wasn’t ‘in the best way’ and perhaps I should have something else to fall back on ‘just in case’. I didn’t really have a clue what I wanted to do, but what I did know was that I liked farming, and the outdoors and that I didn’t want to end up with a hefty tuition bill. So I applied to my local university and completed my first degree whilst living and working at home to pay my fees.

The three years flew by and I finished University just as the recession was in full force. Fortunately, I played badminton with H&H’s Environmental Advisor, who told me that DEFRA hadn’t been too affected by the recession and there were still plenty of Natural England Stewardship forms and Single Farm Payments to complete, if I was up for the challenge. It was then I wished I’d helped Mum and Dad when they counted all of the trees on the farm the previous year for theirs!

It was probably at the point I realised that I had negotiated more than 150 Stewardship agreements, along with seeing the peaks and troughs of the schemes that I decided I liked the work being completed by Chartered Surveyors and Valuers; the farm sales, bank valuations, tenancy negotiations and planning jobs. So I knocked on my boss’s door and asked what I would have to do to achieve my aim. Luckily being a supportive company, H&H Land and Property said they would assist me along what turned out to be a long road, towards my Chartered Surveyor and Valuers qualifications.

As my degree wasn’t RICS accredited, I had to complete a 2.5 year postgraduate course, keep a two year diary and sit a number of final interviews, practicals and exams. Here I am today day, fully qualified, I have a very rewarding job completely built upon the agricultural and land industry where no two days the same.

In December H&H merged with the well-known Michael CL Hodgson Land and Estate Agents. I’ve always been very envious of the red Michael CL Hodgson sale boards and when I was offered the chance to join Colin Tomlinson and his team in the Kendal and Grange office, I jumped at the opportunity.

Of course what is topical? I cannot sign off without alluding to the fact that with the EU Referendum not going the way most expected, it leaves much uncertainty regarding the future. Whatever happens long term, we now need to remain positive and move forward. The UK agricultural industry is a world leader and we now need the politicians to deliver an environment where our industry can exploit that strength. For us here at H&H, it’s business as usual, dealing with the challenges together. We will continue to work hard to support all our farmers and customers as we have done for generations.

So that’s a little about me, and my thoughts going forward until next time.