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futures a thing of the past
GETTING STABLE: MAKING UNCERTAIN FARMING FUTURES A THING OF THE PAST
RICHARD COUNSELL 2016 NUFFIELD SCHOLAR
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My Nuffield adventure began at a slightly disjointed time in my life professionally. My role at a software company in the US was coming to an end and I was unsure about what to do next.
As I was contemplating another year in aeroplane seats that I didn’t quite fit into, I realised I wanted to audition again for a role in farming that would connect me back to a world that I instinctively understood, yet felt increasingly distanced from.
I knew Jen Hunter and Johnny Alvis locally and saw how excited they were to have the opportunity to step back from the day to day aspects of their work and make the most of a precious opportunity to travel, think deeply about a subject and meet like minded people. The year before my scholarship had seen very volatile milk prices and I realised that ‘Price Risk Management’ was an area that I’d like to know more about. It was clear that if it could be simplified, somehow, it so clearly had the potential to help British family farms, like my own, to manage volatile prices and build a stable income.
After a nervous wait, I was delighted to be awarded a scholarship in 2016 and before we knew it Nuffield had ear tagged, weaned and commenced the annual live export of Scholars.
What followed was a life changing experience for me and the connections, friends and fun along the way won’t ever be forgotten. After my scholarship
I founded a business called Stable, that now helps businesses all over the world manage volatile commodity prices. We now have over 50 people on the team in
London, Chicago and Amsterdam and next year we will open our first Asian office in Singapore.
Gaining the knowledge and confidence to make the most of the opportunities that emerged from my Nuffield experience has had a huge impact on me personally and I now work with potential scholars in the South West to help them start their own Nuffield adventure.
The Worshipful Company of Butchers The Worshipful Company of Butchers is pleased to support is pleased to support The Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust The Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust
The Worshipful Company of Butchers has been associated with the meat trade for over 1000 years and is pleased that The Worshipful Company of Butchers has been associated with the meat trade for over 1000 years and is pleased that currently over 90 percent of its members have some currently over 90 percent of its members have some connection with the industry. The three great tenets of the connection with the industry. The three great tenets of the Company are charity, education and fellowship.
Company are charity, education and fellowship.
The Company is an active sponsor of Nuffield Scholars and The Company is an active sponsor of Nuffield Scholars enjoys a good relationship with the Trust and enjoys a good relationship with the Trust For further information, please contact: For further information, please contact: Major General Jeff Mason Major General Jeff MasonWorshipful Company of Butchers Worshipful Company of ButchersButchers’ Hall Butchers’ Hall 87 Bartholomew Close 87 Bartholomew Close London EC1A 7EB Tel: 0203 931 8350 London EC1A 7EBEmail: clerk@butchershall.com
Tel: 0203 931 8350
Email: clerk@butchershall.com The Hall is also available to book for events - please email butchershall@bovingdons.co.uk or telephone 0203 478 9440 The Hall is also available to book for events for enquiries. - please email
