New farm director is appointed

A director with extensive experience in managing in-hand and contract farming has been appointed to lead the farm operations on the Bradford Estates.

Duncan Fleming has joined the landed estates business, which has a principal asset of 12,000 acres on the Shropshire-Staffordshire border, as farm director to manage Bradford Farming, its in-hand farming business which focuses on arable crops alongside land licenced out to a portfolio of fresh produce, root vegetable and horticultural growers.

He joins the business having previously been managing director at Westrope Farming, a large-scale farming and contract farming business based in Woodbridge, Suffolk. Previously, Duncan has been estate director on the Sotterley Estate and farm manager at the Elveden Estate, also both in Suffolk.

Working to its 100-year land management plan, Bradford Estates is focused on delivering to its vision of creating an agile and market leading agribusiness with a focus on sustainable farming systems.

With a long history dating from 1066 and led by family member Alexander Newport as managing director, the Bradford Estates in Shropshire and Staffordshire encompass regenerative farming, small to medium sized enterprise business space from converted ex-agricultural buildings, sustainable forestry, leisure activities and local housing offerings.

Duncan, who is relocating with his family to take up the role, said: "I was very interested in the dynamic nature of Bradford Estates and the opportunity to combine my skill set with its experienced senior management team to add real value.

“Bradford Estates’ clear and ambitious 100-year plan resonated with me. They are looking to the future with investments at scale such as its large tree planting programme and industrial acquisition strategy, so it is an exciting time to join. I look forward to bringing my experience of working with large person teams and complex agreements with multiple stakeholders to bear."

Alexander Newport said: "We are pleased to add Duncan to our senior management team and draw upon his extensive farming experience to deliver our agricultural strategy.

“Duncan joins our business to oversee the growth of our in-hand farming operation and expand our universe of farm licensees, both of which are important parts of our long-term plans to realise our ambitions.”

Pictured: Estates director Steve Farrow and farm director Duncan Fleming