Meet the Team

Rural Policy Group is an action-oriented think tank committed to responding to the needs of rural businesses. We strive to improve knowledge and access to information, support innovation and diversification, provide pathways to finance and be the voice of the rural economy. RPG and its partners encompass the breadth, talent and entrepreneurship of rural businesses, and public policy.

Rural Policy Group is the home of the RED Talk – Rural Economic Development Talks on the issues of the day. The Talks are held every three weeks with a panel of expert speakers, then an open floor. We encourage participants to get involved. It’s one third us; two thirds you. You can listen to past RED Talks and register for upcoming Talks on the dedicated RED Talk page.

Mark Lumsdon-Taylor

Mark Lumsdon-Taylor

Founder-Chairman & Partner, MHA MacIntyre Hudson

Mark is a national leader in the finance, ESG and corporate landscape. Schooled at Gresham’s Norfolk, and studying Law and Economics at the University of Keele, he was appointed to a training contract for top 20 chartered accountancy practise MHA MacIntyre Hudson in London. Leading audit, assurance and recovery work in fields from financial services through to telecommunications he qualified with ICEAW.

During a 15-year secondment he delivered the agenda of transforming a bankrupt public sector land-based college into a corporate business to redefine engagement with 1000s of businesses, leverage major investment and enable nearly 70,000 students to be educated.

In 2019, Mark returned to MHA MacIntyre Hudson as a senior corporate consultant specialising in agriculture & rural business, environmental social governance (ESG) and food manufacturing. During which time he became a seconded CFO to Fourayes, the UK’s number one Bramley grower and fruit processor. In October 2021, he was appointed to the firm as a Partner.

Mark has won numerous awards for his work including National Finance Director of the year 2007, Accounting for sustainability National award 2012 (ICEAW), National Business Finance Director 2014 (Finance Director) and the Institute of Directors (IOD) blue ribbon award for Governance and Finance excellence in 2018.

He is a Liveryman in the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers, a Member of the Guild of Freemen and a member of the CBI’s South East Council.

Katie Tucker

Katie Tucker

Executive Director

Katie read political economy at university and has degrees in politics (University of Essex) and development economics (SOAS, University of London). Her passion for understanding how we can build better societies endures, and today she can often be found reading up on sustainable economics.

Katie is an award-winning marketing generalist specialising in highly segmented markets and growth through adverse environments. With a career spanning the rural sector, the City and FTSE100 corporates, Katie is responsible for setting strategy and policy, organising activations and is the voice of Twitter.

Sarah Calcutt

Sarah Calcutt

Vice-chair & CEO, City Harvest London

Sarah is a 6th generation farmer from the Weald of Kent. Originally trained as a classical musician she had returned to the family business by her mid 20’s and has spent the subsequent 20 years working within the vibrant food and farming community of the UK.

In addition to running Partners in Produce Ltd, her successful business growth and communications consultancy, she is also the Operations Director of British Apples and Pears Ltd, Chair of the National Fruit show, SE Chair of the Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust and NED for Tech fresh produce start-up business COGZ.

The Rural Policy Group Council

Karl Behrendt

Karl Behrendt

Elizabeth Creek Chair in Agri-Tech Economic Modelling, Harper Adams University

Professor Mario Caccamo

Professor Mario Caccamo

Managing Director at NIAB EMR

Sarah Calcutt

Sarah Calcutt

Vice Chair, Rural Policy Group

Martin Collinson

Martin Collinson

Policy Advisor, Greater Lincolnshire LEP

Anna Daroy

Anna Daroy

CEO, Chartered Institution for Water and Environment Management

Sarah Dodds

Sarah Dodds

Head of Agriculture, Partner at MHA Macintyre Hudson

Tim Doubleday

Tim Doubleday

Chief Financal Officer, BKUK Group Ltd and Chairman of the Sustainability Committee of the Hospitality Sector Council

Christine Elliott

Christine Elliott

Chair of the Health and Care Professions Council and Director of the Independent Office for Police Conduct

Jon Geldart

Jon Geldart

Director General, The Institute of Directors (IoD)

Iain Hawthorn

Iain Hawthorn

Senior Agriculture Manager, Oxbury Bank plc

Shane Holland

Shane Holland

Executive Chairman, Slow Food in the UK

Teresa Horscroft

Teresa Horscroft

Owner, Eureka Communications

Robert James

Robert James

Technical Director of Thanet Earth and Chair of Protected Edibles at AHDB

Paul Knights

Paul Knights

Director, Produce Plus

Mark Lumsdon-Taylor

Mark Lumsdon-Taylor

Founder and Chairman, Rural Policy Group

Louise Manning

Louise Manning

Professor of Sustainable Agri-food Systems

Cheryl Roux

Cheryl Roux

The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers Past Master and businesswoman

Karen Schenstrom

Karen Schenstrom

International adviser on food retail and grocery

Dr Jonathan Snape

Dr Jonathan Snape

Head of James Hutton Limited

Danny Harding

Danny Harding

Recruitment Manager, Meridian Business Support

Charlene Cranny

Charlene Cranny

Bankers for Net Zero

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Our Commitment

Rural Policy Group delivers on five key commitments

Communications

We think differently – sitting between finance houses, big businesses and innovative micro and small rural businesses we are in a position to translate the jargon, to ensure that the vocabulary is right to the benefit of everyone.

Use and assess information wisely

We will be the expert voice of rural, we understand the incredibly diverse needs of not only agriculture and horticulture but also the wide range of thriving firms that are based in rural communities. Our team of support specialists will enable businesses to identify what is and what is not important.

Resolving any financial crisis and risks

From fiscal policy through to the national food strategy, we will be representing the needs of rural business.

Getting business scenarios right

The RPG is here to meet the challenge of getting business right in a rural setting, ensuring access to the support you need and the recognition of financial contribution to the economy.

The Basics

Facilitating networks, support, translation of jargon and recognition.