Having served on the Board of Directors of Woldmarsh for nine years, Alan was elected chairman in 2010 for a three year term. He farms in partnership with his brother at Aby Grange. They have a 1600 acre mixed farm producing wheat, barley, oilseed rape, ryegrass seed, along with suckler beef and sheep. Alan aged 58 is married to Ann who is a full time G.P. and they have four children. Alan has an honours degree in agriculture from Newcastle University and has held the following positions:

• Past Chairman of Lincolnshire Seed Growers Association.
• Past Chairman of Alford N.F.U.
• Past Chairman of National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs.

Robert has been running the family farm, EM Howard Ltd, for just over 12 years and is now responsible for the management of around 4,000 arable acres on the Lincolnshire Heath at Nocton. Cropping includes 200 acres of pre-pack potatoes grown for Branston Ltd for Tesco.

Robert is a Trustee of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society and a director of Branston Engineering Ltd. After graduating from Cambridge University, Robert spent 10 years working for financial institutions in London. He is married with 3 children.

Philip lives at Elsham, North Lincolnshire, where his family have farmed for many years. Philip is an equity partner in Brown & Co, based in Brigg, providing business management advice to a large number of clients in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. This role involves a very wide ranging remit, focusing on the business and financial side of farming and other rural businesses.

He has always been heavily involved in agriculture in the region, is a member of the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants, past Chairman of North Lincolnshire NFU, Bishop Burton Farmers.

Philip is aged 47, married to Sophie, who works for the Lincolnshire Rural Support Network. They have two sons, Ben (20) and Rob (18). He was educated locally and read Agricultural Science at Nottingham University, gaining an honours degree, specialising in management and computing. This was then followed by accountancy training with KPMG in Nottingham. In 1988 he returned to practical farming for 10 years in the family partnership, prior to joining Brown & Co in summer 1998.

Andrew is farm director for Lockwood Estates Ltd based in Scampton near Lincoln including 5000 acres which is owned, contract farmed, partnership business, growing combinable crops, potatoes and sugar beet. Involved in all estate business, letting of properties and fish farming.

Andrew has previously been involved with corporate farming since 1987 starting in Yorkshire, then Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire. Latterly he was regional manager covering 12000 acres in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire. Experienced in all different root, vegetable crops, farming arrangements and bulk purchasing of fertiliser.

A Lincolnshire farmer’s son born and bred, married to Sarah, a Yorkshire farmer’s daughter from Thirsk, trained and works in animal nutrition and food law. They have a son and daughter. Andrew still actively plays rugby for Market Rasen, keen on country pursuits, skiing, sailing and tennis.

Julian Cook is an arable farmer from Nafferton, E. Yorks. He is currently Group Chairman for Vistage International and was until 2006 Regional Head of Agriculture for NatWest Bank.

He is married to Sheila, has two daughters and two grandsons, and when he has time, likes playing golf and shooting.

Tom Bayston farms in partnership with his parents at Pollington near Goole. Growing combinable and roots on 1000 acres whilst providing contract services to other agribusinesses. The farm has recently diversified opening a shooting school and has involvments in a joint venture farming business.

Countryside/arable stewardship and ELS schemes are in place on the farm. He is a director in a transport business, vice chairman of Goole NFU and a member of two internal drainage boards.

Tom was educated at Read School Drax, Bishop Burton College and is Basis and Facts qualified. Once a keen Rugby player with Rotherham and ex club captain of Selby he is now limited to being a spectator. He enjoys travelling and country pursuits.

James Fisher farms 1400 acres of combinable crops, sugar beet and potatoes in the Trent Valley in Nottinghamshire. Working in partnership with his wife and the eldest of his two sons the business has diversified to include a successful equine business with livery yard and cross country course, let offices and grower and retailer of Christmas trees.

James was educated at Harper Adams University and Seale Hayne and moved back to the family holding after gaining work experience on farms in both Lancashire and the United States of America. James has held positions on NFU sugar beet and potato committees, has been involved in local politics for the past 30 years and has been a member of Woldmarsh since the formation of the Bingham Group of members.

James is 58 years old married to Carole and has two grown up boys. A canoeist by summer and skier by winter James is a Leicester Tigers season ticket holder and captain of his local shoot.

Aged 58, married with two children. Studied music at the University of York where I met Julia my wife and business partner. We began farming in 1973 and bought our present holding in 1981, an all arable unit of 200ha, which we farm sharing machinery and labour with a neighbouring farmer (also a Woldmarsh member). A believer in cooperation as a means to strength. For relaxation a keen fisherman and member of the Ryedale Anglers’ Club. Interests include amateur music making and bird watching.