A NEW face joins Davidson & Robertsons Cumbrian team to support farming resilience.

The significant changes to support for farming and land management have increased the level of enquiries at Davidson & Roberson (D&R), leading to the appointment of Abigail Wass as Assistant Land Agent.

Abigail is working with farmers and landowners who have a range of issues from the loss of Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) to development opportunities, infrastructure, and renewables right across Cumbria and South West Scotland.

Graduating from Harper Adams in 2018, she has a BSc Honours Degree in Rural Enterprise & Land Management. As part of her degree, she spent a year working on the Chatsworth Estate in Derbyshire, where she was involved with a wide range of estate management tasks.

Abigail, who moved to Penrith in 2018, began working with a local land agency but chose a move to Cockermouth, joining Davidson & Robertson at the end of 2021 to work more closely with the farming community.

Abigail said “There’s a great atmosphere and the team is very friendly, down to earth and supportive. I enjoy being involved in a wide variety of work, from dealing with BPS queries to working on infrastructure and utility projects.

“One of the busiest projects at the moment continues to be our support for farmers through The Farm Resilience Scheme. This is a DEFRA funded project giving farmers chance to review the impact the changes to farming policy and grant funding, are likely to have over the next few years.

D&R Director Chris Edmunds heads the Cumbrian office, said “We were looking for someone who had an understanding of rural issues and a natural empathy with the farming community. At the same time, we need someone analytical and methodical in their approach. We were lucky enough to meet Abigail and are delighted with her progress. She has settled in well and is keen to develop.”