The Farmer Network is embarking on a new chapter after their current Managing Director, Paul Harper recently gave them notice of his intention to step down from the role. With a core group of Cumbrian farmers, Paul helped take forward an idea in 2004 and made it into the successful organisation it is today.

The Network now has two branches, one in Cumbria and one in The Yorkshire Dales, with just over 700 members, 10 employees, a team of contractors and volunteers, a turnover of between £300 - £500k/year and one of only two networks in England that is self-financing without the need of grant support to cover core costs.

“Paul has been a key person in setting up The Network”, says Chairman Will Rawling, one of the founder members, “He quietly gets on with running the business and helping us deliver services that really make a difference to farmers in the two counties we work in.”

The way the Network operates is very different to most other networks, with the approach being that Paul and his management team work with members to listen to their needs, involve them in setting up and running new services to benefit members and the wider community. “I have seen great benefits in our approach”, says Paul, “particularly in the farmers we work with, from being angry and frustrated to being more open to change, confident and forward looking and realising they are capable of making a difference by working together.”

Paul is still hoping to work for the Network if needed by the new MD. Will points out, “The new person will take over a healthy organisation and, with an increasing interest in the role of Networks nationally, I think the next 10 years will be just as exciting as the last.”