Farm Business Graduate 2024

WE ARE GSC GRAYS

THE RURAL LAND & PROPERTY SPECIALISTS

GSC Grays is a firm of chartered surveyors, farm business consultants, land and estate agents operating throughout the UK, but principally within the North of England.

We offer a fresh, dynamic and professional approach when it comes to providing clients with expertise and practical advice that they can rely on. We are driven to exceed client expectations and achieve the best outcome. We are excited about what we do.

Our people are our greatest asset - we are connected by a passion for the countryside and supporting the rural communities in which we live and work. We are proud of what we achieve together and we want you to be part of it.

We have built an exceptional reputation through our service and results over the last 12 years, which has led to the significant and rapid growth of the business. It’s important to us that we continue to foster the next generation, which is why we offer opportunities for placement students and graduates to gain invaluable and hands on experience with us.

We want to provide you with a snapshot of the work we do and what you can expect to be part of in 2024 and beyond. I hope that this provides you with the inspiration and desire to apply for one of our roles.

GUY COGGRAVE MANAGING DIRECTOR

OUR OFFICE NETWORK

ESTABLISHED: 1 st October 2011

STAFF: 123

DIRECTORS: 8

OFFICES: 9

THE ROLES ON OFFER

TRAINEE FARM BUSINESS CONSULTANTS

Due to the continued growth of the business, we are looking to recruit Trainee Farm Business Consultants to join our Farm Business Departments at Alnwick, Boroughbridge, Chesterle-Street, Colburn, Driffield and Kirkby Lonsdale.

This is an excellent opportunity for graduate students seeking a career within the rural sector whilst also making a meaningful contribution to the growth and development of an expanding business. Commitment and hard work will be rewarded.

The roles will be to work as part of a dynamic team and will require someone who is hard working and personable. You must be comfortable with a relatively high degree of autonomy and capable of completing work on time and to the highest of standards.

The opportunities offer a mix of challenging and rewarding professional work on behalf of private clients which will encompass a broad range of competencies.

The successful candidates will be involved in a diverse range of work for farming clients including Farm Management, Farm Business Reviews including the preparation of Budgets and Cashflows, Contract Farming and Share Farming agreements, Basic Payment, Environmental Stewardship and Cross Compliance advice. In addition, the expectation is that each consultant will have an opportunity to develop a technical specialism in areas such as Dairy, Beef & Sheep or the Environment.

The company has a strong commitment to the training of its staff which will complement the broad experience offered.

The successful candidate is expected to have a mix of professional interests and a sound understanding of agriculture and the countryside.

The salary will be competitive, and candidates will be expected to start in summer 2024.

WE RECRUIT THE BEST

“Having graduated from Newcastle University in 2022 I decided to dive straight into work securing the role of Graduate Farm Business Consultant with GSC Grays.

The company has been extremely welcoming and supportive during my first year at GSC Grays. During my time I have gained valuable experience having been involved with tasks such as farm budgeting, business planning and utilisation of environmental land management schemes, working both independently and as part of the wider Farm Business team. During the year, there has also been a number of social events, creating a friendly and positive atmosphere, which has allowed me to meet people from different teams and offices.

I was lucky enough to join at the very start of the Future Farming Resilience Fund project, which has been an exciting time for the company and continues to give me the opportunity to provide support and guidance to individual farm businesses during this evolutionary period for British agriculture.

I look forward to expanding my knowledge and experience further through the GSC Grays graduate programme, which has provided insights into the different sectors within agriculture, as well as financial training, which will support me in gaining professional qualifications; something I am keen to take advantage of.

It’s been a great start to working life and I look forward to what the future brings.”

LAUREN DENNISON Farm Business Graduate

“Having graduated from Harper Adams University in 2017, I decided to take a year out to work, travel and play rugby in New Zealand & Australia, before joining GSC Grays in September 2018.

I first made contact with GSC Grays at the Harper Adams Graduate Fair in Autumn 2016, where I was fortunate enough to secure a week’s work experience, before setting off on my travels.

During my week with GSC Grays, I was allowed a real insight into the work the business is involved with and to meet some of the team. I was also able to present myself outside of an interview environment. This approach worked to my advantage, as I was fortunate enough to be offered a role with GSC Grays on my return to the UK. I was delighted to accept, knowing I was joining a fun, forward thinking and growing business.

GSC Grays have a strong work ethic towards encouraging and supporting graduates to develop their careers. Having joined as a Graduate Surveyor working in the Estate Management Department, I was strongly supported throughout the APC/CAAV process, qualifying in both aspects by May 2020. I have since moved into the Farm Business team and worked my way up to the position of Senior Farm Business Consultant.

I am very grateful for the opportunities I have had and look forward to continuing my development within the company.”

WILL SMITH Senior Farm Business Consultant

“Following the conclusion of my studies at the Royal Agricultural University in 2021, I returned north to join GSC Grays as a Graduate Farm Business Consultant in the July of that year.

Since joining the Farm Business Department at GSC Grays, my knowledge and understanding of farm business management and finances have developed significantly. I have been involved in a wide range of work, from day-to-day farm business consultancy and financial monitoring to more significant budgeting exercises supporting lending requests for the likes of greenfield poultry units and dairy herd expansions.

Whilst I joined the company with the intention of focusing largely on working with dairy clients, I have also had opportunities to diversify my work, particularly into the poultry sector and through collaboration with the Environmental & Sustainability department.

The opportunities presented to me in my first year have developed my abilities significantly, and in August 2022 I progressed to the position of Farm Business Consultant.

Now into my second year with GSC Grays, I look forward to building my experience further and working towards greater direct involvement with clients.”

JAKE NIXON Farm Business Consultant

OUR APPROACH TO TRAINING

At GSC Grays We take the development of our people seriously. Drawing on our in-house expertise and wider industry contacts, Farm Business graduates can expect a thorough programme of training delivered in a variety of ways.

Structured training sessions will be provided by senior staff members within the department/wider business or by outside organisations, where appropriate. To benefit fully from the expertise within the department secondments to other offices may be available. Graduates will also attend all relevant department meetings where further training may also be delivered. This will include seasonal training, for example, BPS and Countryside Stewardship.

Over the course of the training programme graduates will adopt a ‘pet’ farm business

which they will use to apply their learnt knowledge, with assistance from colleagues where required. At the end of the training programme graduates will present the business and their work relating to it, to the wider department. The process is designed to provide graduates with a base knowledge of core areas of work undertaken by the department and the main enterprise types that the department advise on.

Further training opportunities are encouraged and supported; current department staff hold a number of additional qualifications including (but not limited to):

• BASIS

• FACTS

• CEnv

• ROSA

• CMIAgrM

• PMIAgrM

• CAAV

CAREER PROGRESSION ON MERIT

SAM DALE Associate

MAY 2017 Joined GSC Grays working in the Chesterle-Street office in the newly formed Farm Business Department as Farm Business Consultant.

JAN 2020 Sam moved across to the Easingwold office to work closely with the other Farm Business team and support the development of the farm business service in that region.

JUN 2020 Sam is promoted to Senior Farm Business Consultant.

SEP 2021 Sam worked on delivering the early roll out of DEFRA's Future Farm Resilience Fund through AHDB.

OCT 2021 Sam moved to the Colburn office to have a farm business presence at the GSC Grays central office. Jamie Charlton joins Sam's team as a Graduate Farm Business Consultant to grow the Colburn farm department.

NOV 2021 Sam is promoted to Rural Associate Director.

AUG 2022 Lauren Dennison joins Sam's team as a Graduate Farm Business Consultant and Sam supports Lauren in her role providing support and guidance.

SEP 2022 Sam is made Regional Lead of the Farm Business Advice Service (FBAS) funded by the Future Farm Resilience Fund.

APR 2023 Sam is promoted to Farm Business Regional Team Lead for Yorkshire which includes leading a team of Farm Business Consultants and taking an active lead on developing the team and department further.

WILL SMITH Senior Farm Business Consultant

MAR 2017 Will joined GSC Grays Estate Management and Rural Land & Business departments for work experience. Offered a full time job to start in September 2018.

SEP 2018 Joined GSC Grays Estate Management team at Chester-le-Street, supporting the management of 3 rural estates in Durham & Northumberland.

NOV 2019 Will successfully achieved Fellowship with the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV).

JAN 2020 Will provided support to a Farm Business Director with consultancy work and management of rural estate farms.

MAR 2020 Will successfully passed his APC with RICS and changed role to Surveyor.

APR 2020 Will moved to the Farm Business team to manage let farm/property matters, while providing support to the Estate Management team on in-hand farms.

JAN 2021 Will is given his own portfolio of clients and providing support to junior members of the farm department.

DEC 2021 Will is promoted to Senior Farm Business Consultant.

AUG 2022 Will moves to the Alnwick office to grow farm consultancy in Northumberland.

SEP 2022 Will is nominated as Regional Lead for North Durham & Northumberland for the Farm Business Advice Service (FBAS) funded by DEFRA's Future Farm Resilience Fund.

WORK HARD, PLAY HARD!

There are many opportunities to take part in staff socials, whether as part of a company-wide event, or organised by individual offices and/or teams.

To apply, please visit the company website or email a CV and covering letter to hr@gscgrays.co.uk for the attention of Lilly Yuill, HR & Recruitment Manager.

In your covering letter please include why you want to be a Farm Business Consultant and what attracts you to the role at GSC Grays.

HOW TO APPLY SUMMER 2024 RECRUITMENT TIMETABLE

Application deadline

Interview offers

1st video call interviews

2nd video call interviews

Shortlisted candidates interviewed at offices

Jobs offers made

Monday 20th November 2023

Thursday 23rd November 2023

Friday 24th & Monday 27th November 2023

Thursday 30th November 2023

Monday 4th - Thursday 7th December 2023

Friday 8th December 2023