Podcasts
Tabled: The Business of Food
Join Rural Policy Group as we explore the big issues shaping the business, politics, and economics of food. From farm to fork to policy framework, we’re joined by leading voices across the sector to uncover the pathways toward a more financially and environmentally sustainable food system.
Episode 4 | Smart Financial Planning for Modern Farming
RPG Council Member Louise Manning, PhD talks to Robbie Moore MP, Shadow Farming Minister, Ali Capper of British Apples and Pears and leading agri-rural consultant Martin Collison in the first #farmresilience RED Talk.
Farm businesses and their finances have become exponentially more complex and as conditions continue to harden for the sector, it is more important than ever to understand which parts of a business drive profit and how to deliver growth. In this hour-long episode the group of experts, all with personal experience manaing farms, discuss business strategies for diversified modern farms. From farming without subsidies and competing on the global stage, to keeping more value added within the business and making smart investment decisions.
Alternatively, you can watch the RED Talk here
Episode 3 | Autumn Budget Special 2025
Mark Lumsdon-Taylor talks to agri-rural consultant George Collison. Together they break down the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget and analyse what they mean for farming and the onward food supply chain.
This 11-minute digest provides all the essential insights your food or farming business needs following today’s announcements. The two agribusiness heavyweights discuss salary bills, haulage costs, investment strategies and a surprising new source of funding, as well as sharing their thoughts on the Chancellor maintiaining her position on the APR reforms.
Episode 2 | Keep it Simple: Planning for Family Farm Succession
Mark Lumsdon-Taylor talks to accountant and agricultural business advisor Howard Hackney, founder of Howard Hackney LLP, about taking control of succession planning to protect family farm businesses and family relationships.
In this episode, we look beyond trusts to discuss how Agricultural Property Relief (APR) reforms could lead to changes in how family farm businesses are structured and the options available to families with farming interests.
Episode 1 | Agriculture has entered the chat
Rural Policy Group is joined by farmer and blogger Olly Harrison, and the Institute of Directors’ Director General, Jon Geldart. The trio discuss the real-world impacts of APR reform on farm businesses, creating a dialogue with government to address the unintended consequences of the policy and the platform it has given the industry to talk about the challenges of producing cheap food.