“I undoubtedly grew in confidence and competency across a range of skills…”
Spending time working with various Food and Farming teams during my graduate scheme in 2019 provided me with a strong platform upon which to develop a deeper understanding of agricultural policy across a range of areas, giving me great perspective and a robust grounding in our British agricultural industry and how deeply these individual sectors are intertwined. In that time, I undoubtedly grew in confidence and competency across a range of skills, having spent time meeting with and presenting to farmers and stakeholders, being given the autonomy to plan my time in developing work to benefit the membership whilst also offered the support required to succeed for our members.
Since finishing the graduate scheme, I have moved across to work as the NFU’s Dairy Adviser, aiming to drive positive change for the British dairy sector and championing our members views locally, nationally and internationally. In this role, I am responsible for leading on a range of policy areas including the GB Dairy Calf Strategy and Red Tractor standards work for our sector, sitting on various working groups and advisory committees to represent our members.
I also spend time supporting my team in the development of consultation responses, documents and strategies, working closely with the National and Regional dairy boards to steer our work. This has included the Rethinking Ruminants mythbuster toolkit, Dairy Export Strategy, Dairy Contracts Consultation and a range of environment‑related workstreams, all ultimately aimed at ensuring the sustainability and resilience for British dairy. My work frequently involves engaging with members and stakeholders across industry and government, supporting members with queries and concerns and ensuring members are well‑informed and represented in all I do.
I now also have been entrusted with the role of mentor for a new agricultural policy graduate, which is a fantastic opportunity to play a positive role in another person’s development and experience within the NFU, whilst building on my own skillset. I aim to offer the support, guidance and opportunity so many NFU colleagues offered me upon joining the organisation.