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Partnerships and Enterprise

The Andersons Centre has a long track record of supporting partnerships, joint ventures, and new business enterprises across UK agriculture. We have played a leading role in the development of Contract Farming Agreements since the 1970s, helping farm businesses unlock the benefits of working together. Whether in arable, livestock, or dairy sectors, well-structured agreements can reduce capital requirements, improve efficiency, and offer valuable opportunities for growth. Our consultants are recognised for their expertise in setting up and managing joint ventures, from contract farming to other collaborative business models, always with a focus on securing long-term viability and delivering practical results for clients.

We also help farming businesses explore diversification, tenancies, and new enterprise opportunities. Whether it is renewable energy, on-farm processing, or property ventures, we guide clients through every stage of the diversification process, from market assessment and business planning to marketing strategy and funding advice. Alongside this, our facilitation of farmer discussion groups provides a unique forum for sharing insights, tackling challenges, and driving practical improvements. In the links provided in this section, we set out more details on the range of services we offer and how they could benefit your business. Whatever your ambition, The Andersons Centre works alongside you to help unlock its full potential.

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Key Contacts

Joe Scarratt

Partner & Head of Farm Business Consultancy

Qualifications & Experience
  • 2018 to date - Head of Farm Consultancy at The Andersons Centre
  • 2018 to date - Partner of The Andersons Centre
  • 2009 - 2018 – Business Consultant at The Andersons Centre
  • Delivers business advice to a wide range of farming businesses, focusing on the arable and dairy sectors
  • Oversees the operation of a number of Contract Farming Agreements across all sectors
  • Approved deliverer under DEFRA’s Farming Advice Service delivering group advice to farmers and agricultural professionals
  • Approved deliverer under the Welsh Assembly’s Farming Connect Scheme, delivering advice to farmers across Wales
  • Undertakes commissioned research projects
  • 2005 - 2009 – Harper Adams University College. First Class BSc Hons Business Management with Marketing. The course focused upon the agri-food industry
  • 2000 to Present – Working in and developing the family farming business. The farm is predominantly arable with a small beef enterprise
Areas of Expertise
  • Farming Joint Ventures and Contract Farming
  • Farm Business Management
  • Technical Farm Business Advice
  • Farm Strategy and Succession Planning
  • Farm Investment Appraisals and Loan Applications
  • Farm and Rural Grant Applications
  • Farm Business Tenancies
  • Farm Business Administration
  • Farming Connect (FC) accredited

Oliver Hall

Partner & Senior Farm Business Consultant

Qualifications & Experience
  • 2021 - Partner, The Andersons Centre
  • 2017- Senior Farm business consultant, The Andersons Centre
  • 2014 –ILM- Lean Management In Dairy Farming
  • 2010 - Co founder of Evolution Farming – Multi Site Pasture based dairy business
  • 2009-2010 – Farm business consultant, The Andersons Centre
  • 2008- Family farming partnership, West Yorkshire
  • 2005-2008 – The Royal Agricultural College – Bsc (Hons) Agriculture
Areas of Expertise
  • Farming Joint Ventures, Contract Farming and Share Farming
  • Farm Business Management and budgeting
  • Farm Strategy and Succession Planning
  • Farm Investment Appraisals and Loan Applications
  • Grassland management
  • Practical knowledge of farm management

Anna Bowen

Farm Business Consultant

Qualifications & Experience
  • February 2022 to Present Day – Farm Business Consultant at The Andersons Centre
  • Previously worked as a farm business consultant in West Wales
  • Contract farms a 300- cow spring block calving herd in Ceredigion
  • FACTS qualified
  • RoMS accredited mobility scorer
  • Approved Mastitis Control Plan and QuarterPro deliverer
  • 2021 Nuffield Scholar- “Can the UK improve the ethics of its dairy calf management whilst retaining profitability?”
  • 2019 Entrepreneurs in Dairying course
  • 2017 Richard John Memorial Trust Scholarship, studied the sustainability of the Australian dairy industry
  • 2016 MSc Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security (Royal Agricultural College)
  • 2014 BSc (Hons) International Equine and Agricultural Management (Royal Agricultural College)
  • Fluent Welsh speaker
Areas of Expertise
  • Farm business consultancy and budgeting
  • Business reviews and strategic planning
  • Practical experience of farm management
  • Dairy farming, particularly spring block calving
  • Nutrient management planning (Farming Connect approved)
  • Herd health

Edward Calcott

Farm Business Consultant

Qualifications & Experience
  • Joined The Andersons Centre in January 2019
  • BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Farm Business Management (2:1) Harper Adams University (2016 Graduate)
  • Part of the winning team for the Institute of Agricultural Management Farm Planner competition whilst at Harper Adams.
  • Placement year was spent with a large UK integrated poultry company. Time was spent on various breeder farms; the hatchery; and commercial farms for broiler chickens and turkeys.
  • Part of the 2017-18 NFU Poultry Industry Program (PIP).
  • A continued involvement with the mixed farming family business in Staffordshire. The farm enterprises include combinable crops, sucker cows, sheep and some agricultural contracting.
Areas of Expertise
  • Experience in most aspects of lowland agriculture including arable, beef, sheep, dairy and potatoes.
  • On-farm diversifications including direct sales; marketing and holiday lets.
  • Practical experience within the UK poultry sector, including layers, broilers, turkeys.
  • Business consultancy advice, budgeting and financial planning for agricultural, food and rural businesses.
  • Accounts analysis; investment appraisals; business reviews; strategic planning and enterprise costings.
  • Contract farming and joint ventures.
  • Practical knowledge of farm management.
  • BPS, grant applications and farm assurance.
  • Farming Connect (FC) accredited.

Kerry Jerman

Farm Business Consultant

Qualifications & Experience
  • December 2014 – BIAC Rural and Agricultural Consultants Foundation Course
  • August 2013 to Present Day – Farm Business Consultant at The Andersons Centre
  • April 2013 – July 2013 - Lambing assistant and sheep worker for a local sheep and beef farmer
  • July 2012 – April 2013 - Assistant Dairy Herdsman on 450 cow herd near Hamilton, New Zealand
  • 2009 - 2012 – Aberystwyth University. 2:1 BSc Hons Agriculture with Business Studies. The course focused on the UK agricultural industry with business principles built in
  • 2006 to Present– Working in the family farming business. The farm is predominantly sheep along with a small suckler herd which sells offspring as forward stores
Areas of Expertise
  • Farm Consultancy
  • Farming Connect (FC) accredited

Amelia Rome

Farm Business Consultant

Qualifications & Experience
  • Joined The Andersons Centre in November 2020
  • BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Farm Business Management (2:1) Harper Adams University (2019 Graduate)
  • Placement year was spent with Andersons Northern in Edinburgh
  • Delegate at the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth 27th Agricultural Conference
  • A continued involvement with the family farm business in Cambridgeshire. The farm enterprises include combinable crops, sheep and beef
Areas of Expertise
  • Experience in most aspects of lowland agriculture, but specialising in arable systems
  • Practical knowledge of farm management
  • Farming Joint Ventures and Contract Farming
  • Technical Farm Business Advice
  • Farm Strategy and Succession Planning
  • Farm and Rural Grant Applications
  • Business consultancy advice, budgeting and financial planning for agricultural businesses
  • Accounts analysis; investment appraisals; business reviews; strategic planning and enterprise costings