One of the UK’s best-known industry conferences for farming and agri-business, the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC), is seeking new directors to join its council.

Led by OFC chairman Matthew Naylor, the search is on for three new progressive agricultural specialists to join its 10-strong team and to drive a creative conference programme that continues to inform and challenge the UK farming industry.

Applications must be in by Friday, April 19. Candidates must be prepared to take up the role for a three-year term from 2021.

Oxford Farming Conference

The OFC, which is held each year in January, has become a high-profile event for the farming industry and its stakeholders.

It attracts more than 600 delegates from farming, the supply chain, science and government, and, as a charity, invests in young people, agricultural education and knowledge-sharing.

The role of directors is to work with the rest of the team to deliver the conference programme, speakers and the extended activities now linked to the OFC, including the debate at the Royal Highland Show.

The council is looking for applications from those committed and active within the agricultural industry, whether in farming, media, law, business or trade, with creative concepts for the future development of the conference.

Assets include:

  • A track record of successful innovation in agriculture or horticulture;
  • Experience of developing agricultural policies and strategy;
  • Highly effective communication, networking and PR skills;
  • Broad and effective networks of contacts across the public, private and academic sectors, with a particular interest in building overseas contacts.

The OFC director positions are honorary and include attendance at the conference for the three years in office and reasonable expenses.