Always rooted in agriculture, Ben grew up in South Dorset milking cows and grain carting, gaining valuable hands-on farming experience both in the UK and New Zealand.
In 2012 he graduated from Loughborough University with a BSc in Management Sciences, during which time he gained diverse industry experience working in FMCG marketing as well as investment banking.
Deciding to pursue his passion in agriculture, Ben trained as an agronomist with a diploma in agronomy with environmental management from Harper Adams university, before taking up various technical and commercial roles within the UK, as well as Canada.
Always passionate about the environmental side of agronomy, in 2019 he pivoted into the water sector acquiring valuable water quality expertise. As a 2022 Nuffield Farming Scholar, Ben investigated the potential of soil carbon markets and other business models to incentivise regenerative agriculture. Outside of work Ben is undertaking a part-time MSc in Sustainable Agriculture at Aberystwyth University.
As a third generation steward over a fragment of original Dorset heath SSSI he enjoys ‘hobby’ farming alongside his father, managing a small extensive conservation grazing operation for ecological enhancement, whilst producing meat boxes for local ‘foodies’.
Having experienced agriculture’s immense influence over the environment and human health first hand, Ben believes farming is the most important sector in the world. His passion is to help farmers harness and demonstrate their capacity to deliver food production and natural capital side by side.
