In a move that underscores its commitment to innovation, knowledge sharing and the environment, Farmcare – the UK’s leading rural and agricultural business – has appointed Guy Thallon in a newly created Science Manager role.
The role will see Guy taking a lead on science and its applications across Farmcare, working closely with universities and research institutions to better connect science and farming with a strong commercial focus. By integrating science and research into its way of working, Farmcare aims to build resilience and retain its commercial advantage as agriculture faces into challenges ranging from climate change, to financial market volatility and agricultural sustainability. The creation of this role establishes Farmcare as one of a select few agricultural businesses employing a science manager, highlighting its long-range vision.
As part of the operations team, Guy will be working to link the knowledge and expertise of Farmcare’s farm managers with the vast data on-farm to understand how the business can continue to lead the way in terms of productivity and value systems. Guy will work across Farmcare’s twelve sites, which span the UK, exploring each farm’s unique challenges as well as common learning that can be drawn from each estate.
Bringing a broad range of expertise to his role of science manager, Guy’s career to date includes six years at Produce World, where his last position was Head of Research, Development and Innovation, with other roles including Sustainability and Research Manager. Experienced in linking science into application, during his work at Produce World, Guy shared time at Cranfield University as a Knowledge Transfer Partnership Associate.
With academic credentials including a postgraduate Masters degree in Land Management at Cranfield University, the home of the National Soils Resources Institute, and an undergraduate degree in Geography, Guy’s specialism lies in soil.
The complexity of the soil system, coupled with the growing complexity of the overlaying farming system are areas where Guy sees potential to drive resilience and productivity for Farmcare. He will be drawing on his background of mapping and connecting data to ensure Farmcare’s multitude of systems are optimised across all sites.
Commenting on his new position, Guy said: “Farmcare really attracted me with a reputation for being a progressive, dynamic place to work. From the first time I met the senior leadership team, I was impressed by their outlook and ambition – and so was really keen to be a part of the organisation’s exciting journey. What really gets me fired up is Farmcare’s respect and understanding of the world of science, which is just one of the things that makes me think it’s in a great place to realise its ambitions.”
“My role will help ensure Farmcare’s vision is robust, using the business’ existing great network of knowledge, as well as drawing on external expert research, so we focus on knowledge transfer and can move forward quickly, looking at what the data means in the context of what we’re doing.”
Farmcare Director of Operations, Andrew Lazenby, said: “Farmcare’s strength comes from our great team spanning a wide range of disciplines. We’re delighted to welcome Guy on board, as he brings a fresh perspective along with in depth experience, and there’s been an extremely positive reaction from across the business in terms of the value a science manager can add. By looking at where the areas for development – and opportunities – are, we’re building a business that can thrive.”
In a move that underscores its commitment to innovation, knowledge sharing and the environment, Farmcare – the UK’s leading rural and agricultural business – has appointed Guy Thallon in a newly created Science Manager role.
The role will see Guy taking a lead on science and its applications across Farmcare, working closely with universities and research institutions to better connect science and farming with a strong commercial focus. By integrating science and research into its way of working, Farmcare aims to build resilience and retain its commercial advantage as agriculture faces into challenges ranging from climate change, to financial market volatility and agricultural sustainability. The creation of this role establishes Farmcare as one of a select few agricultural businesses employing a science manager, highlighting its long-range vision.
As part of the operations team, Guy will be working to link the knowledge and expertise of Farmcare’s farm managers with the vast data on-farm to understand how the business can continue to lead the way in terms of productivity and value systems. Guy will work across Farmcare’s twelve sites, which span the UK, exploring each farm’s unique challenges as well as common learning that can be drawn from each estate.
Bringing a broad range of expertise to his role of science manager, Guy’s career to date includes six years at Produce World, where his last position was Head of Research, Development and Innovation, with other roles including Sustainability and Research Manager. Experienced in linking science into application, during his work at Produce World, Guy shared time at Cranfield University as a Knowledge Transfer Partnership Associate.
With academic credentials including a postgraduate Masters degree in Land Management at Cranfield University, the home of the National Soils Resources Institute, and an undergraduate degree in Geography, Guy’s specialism lies in soil.
The complexity of the soil system, coupled with the growing complexity of the overlaying farming system are areas where Guy sees potential to drive resilience and productivity for Farmcare. He will be drawing on his background of mapping and connecting data to ensure Farmcare’s multitude of systems are optimised across all sites.
Commenting on his new position, Guy said: “Farmcare really attracted me with a reputation for being a progressive, dynamic place to work. From the first time I met the senior leadership team, I was impressed by their outlook and ambition – and so was really keen to be a part of the organisation’s exciting journey. What really gets me fired up is Farmcare’s respect and understanding of the world of science, which is just one of the things that makes me think it’s in a great place to realise its ambitions.”
“My role will help ensure Farmcare’s vision is robust, using the business’ existing great network of knowledge, as well as drawing on external expert research, so we focus on knowledge transfer and can move forward quickly, looking at what the data means in the context of what we’re doing.”
Farmcare Director of Operations, Andrew Lazenby, said: “Farmcare’s strength comes from our great team spanning a wide range of disciplines. We’re delighted to welcome Guy on board, as he brings a fresh perspective along with in depth experience, and there’s been an extremely positive reaction from across the business in terms of the value a science manager can add. By looking at where the areas for development – and opportunities – are, we’re building a business that can thrive.”
