Agriculture for Innovators
Agriculture for Innovators is designed for those exploring opportunities in agri-tech – whether you’re someone looking at market opportunities in agritech or transitioning into an agriculture-related role. The programme covers key topics like farming life, funding, policy, supply chains, and the future of agriculture.
Agriculture faces major challenges, from labour shortages to climate change. Understanding these issues is essential for anyone working in agriculture – and that’s where Agriculture for Innovators helps. Launched in 2019 at the request of our network, this annual event equips participants with the insights and connections needed to thrive in the industry. We take you through who to engage with, how decisions are made, and the intricacies of the supply chain to help attendees get the most from our dynamic industry.
By the end of the day, you will understand market drivers, emerging technologies, and how to navigate the agri-tech landscape, with valuable industry contacts to support your journey.
Scroll down to see the detailed agenda.
Why Attend?
Gain practical, actionable insights: You’ll gain a clearer understanding of the real issues faced on-farm, such as how farmers take advice, the kinds of challenges they encounter, and the innovative solutions they adopt. This insight is invaluable for anyone in the agricultural supply chain, from tech developers to HR and finance professionals, who need to understand the bigger picture of the industry they support.
Connect with key players across the industry: Farmers are at the heart of agriculture, but they don’t work alone. The agricultural industry relies on a network of relationships that guide farmers in their decision-making. By understanding these relationships, you can better tailor your approaches to connect with the right people. This event offers a rare chance to hear directly from those involved in the day-to-day business of farming, providing personal insights that are often difficult to access.
Navigate the agricultural supply chain: Agriculture isn’t just about what happens on the farm. It’s the first stage in a complex global supply chain that includes processing, manufacturing, packaging, and transport before food reaches the consumer. You’ll explore these interconnected stages, gaining insights into how each segment impacts the others and where innovation could provide solutions.
Explore funding opportunities: Innovation requires financial backing, and navigating the various funding streams can be daunting. You’ll receive practical advice on the available funding options, from early-stage grants to commercialisation support.
Join us for an enriching event to learn, connect and collaborate.
Huge thanks to our sponsors and supporters:
Cost
Event price for non-members is £110 (ex VAT). Member discount applies (depending on tier). Members need to login or register for an account to access the member discount .
Learn more about the benefits of Agri-TechE membership.
Agenda
About the Speaker
Grace has worked within the retail and consumer insight team at AHDB for 5 years. Her current role focuses on understanding the performance and trends in retail and foodservice markets and communicating opportunities for AHDB levy payers. Grace’s recent projects include analysing shopper attitudes towards meat-free products and research on how to optimise the meat shopping experience.
No two farms are the same, yet many are facing similar challenges. Some of those challenges can be tackled using technology, tools, and services, and others are around policy and regulation. Either way, to work effectively with farmers, it’s crucial to understand their drivers, issues and needs. Our speakers will give you the view from those running farming businesses and how to frame your tech and your approach to gain their interest.
About the Speakers:
Greg Colebrook joined Greens of Soham as an Assistant Manager of the Spearhead Marketing business in 2013 and since then Greg has been responsible for the entire beetroot business, becoming a Director in 2018. He has now grown the beetroot farming business to be the largest grower and provider in the UK. Greg is also a Sainsbury’s Soil Scholar.
James Simpson. As Managing Director of Adrian Scripps, James champions innovation in horticultural production, from robotics and automation to new crop varieties. He also serves as a Director of British Apples and Pears and is an Honorary Assistant of the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers.
Many farms are now highly technical operations, with a rapid pace of change. Standing out from the crowd with new tech, tools or services is increasingly difficult in a competitive space, with many similar solutions emerging. This session will give an overview of how innovation has impacted farming over the last decade, and importantly, where the gaps are for the tech developers of the future.
About Harry Henderson
Starting out as a tractor, combine and crop sprayer operator. Harry then worked for Rothamsted Research before becoming Farm Manager at Monsanto Cambridge. From there, he took a role with John Deere UK Ltd as a Crop Systems Specialist, involved in technical dealer sales support in combine harvester, crop sprayer and precision farming products. In 2013 Harry joined AHDB as a regional manager for the North of England, becoming Technical Knowledge Exchange Manager with a focus technical knowledge exchange, mechanisation, soil and crop management, future technology and all aspects of arable farming. In 2023 he joined BASIS Registration Ltd as Technical Manager supporting the continued development of NRoSO, FACTS, the BASIS Professional Register and all other technical activities within BASIS. He lives in rural Warwickshire with his wife and two stepchildren.
About Dr Ruth Mann
Ruth is Head of Integrated Crop Technologies at Agrii. Ruth has 30 years’ experience managing research trials globally to drive forward integrated solutions in the Agricultural and Amenity sectors. This research includes optimising integrated management programmes to manage pests, weeds and diseases; testing machinery and application technology and evaluating varietal performance under differing input programmes. Ruth also leads Envirofield, an expert independent field trials company specialising in agricultural, amenity and environmental research and RHIZA, the only fully integrated digital agronomy and precision farming service for arable, grassland and high value crop businesses. Ruth transfers this knowledge to growers through technical bulletins, seminars and industry training courses. Ruth has been a member of the Expert Committee on Pesticides since 2017 and joined the BASIS Board as an Elected Member in 2025.
A walk around Agrii’s flagship research farm focusing on key areas including their new state of the art glasshouse, hyperspectral equipment, trials program and digital integration platform (Contour). The tour will be hosted by Jonathan Trotter, Technology Trial Manager, and Don Pendergrast, Technical Manager for Non-Combinable Crops.
Even if something looks good in the lab or in trials, getting it into a commercial farm situation is a very different proposition. Not only that, you need to be able to manufacture at scale, create a strong commercial value proposition, and ensure you have captured the value of your solution. Understanding the target market, future customers, and the scale-up journey is key.
About the Speakers:
Dr Kate Pressland, COO, Ag.Impact
Dr Louise Sutherland is the Director of Ceres Agri-tech a partnership which helps, develops and commercialises agri-tech innovations from UK Universities, bringing them from the lab bench to farmers’ fields.
Lizzie Wills - "Getting your voice heard with policy makers and regulators"
Lizzie is a Senior Partner at GK Strategy and is an expert in policy and political risk advisory and government relations. With over 15 years’ experience, Lizzie leads GK’s political and regulatory due diligence services, providing senior counsel to investors and businesses on the impact of political change.
Dr Bhavnita Patel is the Sector Development Manager at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). Bhav has a Masters in Chemistry from York University and a PhD in Materials Chemistry from Cambridge University, followed by 10 years of industrial experience in Food Manufacturing R&D, at PepsiCo and Mondelez. At her time at the MTC, Bhav has supported many businesses on the adoption of technology.
