Who are the Associate Consultants? Smiths Gore’s Business Improvement team is headed up in England by Keith Barriball and Michael Mack. They are supported by a number of internal specialists and an excellent team of Associate Consultants, each of whom are experts in their own topics and experienced in both the development and delivery of training and support programmes. The Associate Consultants are: •
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Chloe Palmer: Based in the Peak District, Chloe runs an environmental consultancy which maximises her skills in Farm Environmental Advice built during 12 years as the regional director for FWAG in the North of England. Chloe also brings to Smiths Gore skills in soil management and communications through her experience as a freelance journalist. Chloe is a Nuffield Scholar and studied ‘A Sustainable Future for Hill Farming’. David Hughes: David has recently left Clydesdale Bank to set up his on consultancy focusing on farm business finance, executive recruitment and skills delivery. David’s own experience in farm business finance and financial management through working as the senior partner for Agribusiness at Clydesdale ensure that he can help business identify real business solutions. England Marketing: England Marketing was established in 1995 and is based near Cambridge. The company has a proven track record in the delivery of market research that ensures its clients gain a better understanding of their customers to drive repeat business and enhance satisfaction. Jan and Fiona bring skills in the delivery of training to support businesses to better understand their customers. Judy Randon: Judy of Cassava Ltd is an experienced coach and mentor to people working in the food and drink industry. Her own industry experience in agriculture, production horticulture, landscape, food and drink manufacturing and farm diversification projects provides her with the background to understand the very specific types of training these industries require. Lindsey Mack: Lindsey is an experienced business coach focusing on leadership and business strategy. Educated in farm management, Lindsey looks after the family farm and has founded both a training company The Forum Partnership Ltd and Zaviour Limited, a Technology Company providing a service called CloudQast which focuses on systems for virtual learning. Richard Rampton: Richard has a life time of experience built through managing farm businesses in the UK and worldwide and delivering farm extension programmes across Europe. Having retired from Easton College in 2012 he has established a small consultancy focusing on farm business change, grant funding and business coaching. Stephen Harris: Stephen is a specialist in training covering direct and senior management programmes. Steve works with many international organisations such as Rolls Royce, BAe, Cahoot, The Open University, the Co-operative Group and Warwick University. He currently holds responsibility for Quality and Curriculum issues for the Co-operative College in Manchester Susie Emmett: Susie is a remarkable communicator following 15 years of presenting the BBC World Service’s ‘Farming World’ programme. She has developed a media business which has a dedicated side focusing on building the communication skills of farmers from across the UK. She led the development of the LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) ‘Speak Out’ initiative and designed, developed and delivered training events for more than a 1000 UK farmers 2007-2011. 12