Director’s Report

DIRECTOR’S REPORT FOR 2020

MIKE VACHER

Well who, a year ago, would have predicted that during 2020 the best part of a year would go by without any Nuffield Farming Scholars being able to travel abroad? Who could have imagined that successful national leaders would be congratulated for preventing their people from leaving their homes in order to keep them safe? Who could have expected the life, career and business changes we are having to manage…?

However, our Nuffield Farming Scholars and the Organisation itself have and will continue to adapt to the new environment. We are all having to change the way we live and work, but Nuffield Farming is in good shape. We continue with all the essential functions of the Organisation at home, and abroad there are a growing number of Nuffield Countries around the World. We make plans for all the normal events and activities with, where possible, virtual alternatives being developed in parallel. The view from my office window remains unchanged – it is just a little boring that I have to spend quite so much time looking out of it!

Keep on Rolling…

Our Chairman has summarised well in her report the events of the last twelve months and the impact of covid on our activities and our operations. Her descriptions have been amplified in articles on the following pages and I would commend, especially, those by Charlotte Merson, our own ‘compère par excellence’ on ‘zoom’, and Kendra Hall’s (Reverberate Public Relations) article on virtual communicating, as well as all the reports on Groups activities far and wide – virtual and physical. In the early depressing days of covid, there were a few who suggested that Nuffield Farming might be best to ‘shut up shop’ for a while. However, they were quickly drowned out by the vast majority of Scholars and Supporters who strongly encouraged us to ‘keep the show rolling’, whatever the challenges in doing so. Our current Scholars, especially those from the 2019 – 2021 Year Groups have had their Nuffield Farming Scholarship programmes badly affected by covid. There can be no 2020 Conference for 2019 Scholars to present their study findings. 2020 Scholars had their Contemporary Scholars Conference (CSC) cut short and our new 2021 Scholars will not experience the excitement of their first Nuffield Farming Conference and meeting at their initial briefing. Nevertheless, covid will pass and the Trustees have determined that there can be no fixed time limit on completing a scholarship until the impact of covid has elapsed.

Money is no problem…..

Helen Woolley has explained how, thanks to her and her predecessors, we have strong finances with substantial reserves and a growing balance sheet. Thank goodness, because these enable Trustees to have the confidence to look positively on enhancements to our operations, not least the recruitment of Charlotte Merson as the Alumni Officer and the exciting major digitalisation project. Please be assured, however, that we are not wasteful in the spending of our funds as explained in more detail in the reports on the Trust’s finances and its governance.

Nuffield Farming Digitalisation….

The Nuffield Farming Trustees have recognised the need to create a new, modern website and digitalise associated functions. This website will interface effectively with: a Database; the Study Report Library; a new Conference and Event booking system; our Scholar Application system; Finance functions and Social Media platforms. You will recognise that this will involve our own team hosting and managing the Database and Study Report Library that will migrate seamlessly from Nuffield International website. More details will be promulgated over the coming months.

Appreciation

I echo the Chairman’s appreciation to all those who contribute to the organisation and operations of the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust. There are many ‘unsung heroes’ across the Country organising Regional and Study Groups and our successful scholarship programme depends on volunteer speakers and helpers – not least our three honorary editors: Anne Beckett, Alison Blackburn and Christine Hill. Our activities are underwritten by many sponsors who give very generously to ensure these continue and can provide increasing impact on British Agriculture. Several of these stand by the Trust loyally, recognising the value of our work, despite not being allocated a scholar. The overarching success of Nuffield Farming is due to the oversight and expertise of the Trustees and its smooth operation to the small team who work so diligently in the Nuffield Farming Office: Charlotte, Claire, Lindsay and Poey along with our consultants Reverberate Public Relations and The Fundraising Practice.

Looking Forwards…

Covid may have altered our working environment, but, there can be no question of us relaxing and standing still. There are new initiatives to be taken forward to improve the recruitment of our new Nuffield Farming Scholars; to enhance the scholarship programme itself and to augment the service provided to our Regional and Study Groups. Furthermore, Trustees have already given direction to put in place the vision and concepts towards a subsequent strategic plan…

Nuffield Office Team during a Zoom meeting