Investing in the future

Backing their strong operating position and confidence in the future, leading agronomy and farm business advisors Agrovista have appointed four new trainees.

Managing Director James Robertson says "A career in the British Agricultural supply trade is not any easy option, but it can be very rewarding working within the food chain, and the unique balance of the environment and crop production is a real challenge".

The four trainees have different backgrounds and experience, reflecting the diverse needs of modern agriculture.

• Nichola Burkinshaw

Nichola is a farmer's daughter from Northumberland and studied agriculture at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. Nicola is a member of Tritlington Young Farmers Club and will be based in the Morpeth area.

• Neil Fettes

Originally from Banffshire, Neil studied agriculture at the University of Aberdeen and has gained a wide range of agricultural experience with the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department and DEFRA. Neil is a member of Keith and District Young Farmers and will be based in the Elgin area.

• Jason Noy

Jason is a farmer's son from Hertfordshire and studied agriculture at the Royal Agricultural College where he gained a BSc honours in agricultural land management. A keen Rugby player, Jason will be based in Norfolk.

• Piotr Powaga (Peter)

Piotr is from Poland. He graduated from the University of Technology and Agriculture in Bydgoszcz in 1999 specialising in agro biology. Since then he has worked as a crop advisor for two sugar beet factories in Poland owned by British Sugar Overseas Group. Piotr has also spent time training on a farm in Finland, and will be based in the Newark area.

All four trainees will undergo extensive training with Agrovista's own technical and commercial staff, as well as attending relevant external courses.