Champion of farmer co-operation retires after 35 years with Framlingham Farmers
One of the champions of farmer co-operation in the UK, Roger Adshead M.B.E, has stepped down as Chief Executive of leading UK farmer-owned purchasing and marketing business Framlingham Farmers after 35 years with the company, on the eve of its merger with Atlas Agriculture to form the AtlasFram Group.
Having joined Framlingham Farmers as Development Officer in 1973, Roger has seen the company become one of the largest businesses of its type, achieving record levels of turnover and Membership during the last year. It is a fitting note on which to enter a well-deserved retirement.
A policeman's son from Gloucestershire, Roger became interested in agriculture at the age of 12, when he started work on local farms at weekends and during school holidays. After gaining a National Certificate in Agriculture from Hartpury Farm Institute in Gloucestershire, Roger became a farm instructor at a Home Office-approved farm near Cirencester before taking up a position as assistant manager on a farm near Eye in Suffolk. Changes there, combined with the birth of his first child, persuaded Roger to apply for the position of Development Officer with Framlingham Farmers, a role which he envisaged would tide him over for a couple of years before he and his wife, Jacqui, returned to their native Gloucestershire.
"When I joined Framlingham Farmers I never imagined that I would remain with the business for the remainder of my career, that I would end up at the helm or that it would become so successful," says Roger. "The business had been founded 13 years before I joined by a group of farmers in the Framlingham area of Suffolk who realised that by working together they could negotiate with suppliers and achieve considerable savings on their input costs, without having to invest in capital-intensive manufacturing facilities. By the time I joined in 1973 the business was well established and my job was to develop new opportunities for Members. One of the first was to investigate a new crop called oilseed rape, which was almost unheard of at the time and trying to persuade farmers to grow even a few acres was no easy matter. Today, there can hardly be a farm in the East of England that doesn't grow oilseed rape!"
Success in developing Framlingham Farmers' business led to Roger being appointed Chief Executive in 1994, since when he has seen the agricultural industry change beyond recognition. Awarded an MBE for services to agriculture in 2006, Roger was, typically, keen to emphasise the role of others more than his own,
commenting: "Soon after I joined Framlingham Farmers it became clear that the strength and underlying principle of the group was to provide Member benefits through co-operation; looking after the interests of Members, not the individual. I was very honoured and proud to be presented with an M.B.E., but felt that it reflected and recognised the commitment of the Chairmen, Directors, Members and Staff who had been part of Framlingham Farmers and supported my own efforts over the years."
A staunch advocate of the benefits of farmers combining their purchasing power to extract the best deals from manufacturers and suppliers, Roger comments:
"Currently, great excitement and optimism surrounds the agricultural industry and there is now more interest in UK farmer-owned businesses than ever before, with most farmers recognising the need to work collectively and effectively, and the benefits of doing so.
"The ethos which drove Framlingham Farmers forward in the early years is, I believe, even more relevant today than at any time in the company's history.
Members are looking for good prices, great service, expert advice and a friendly voice at the end of the 'phone when they call, and that's what we provide. With farming enjoying much-improved fortunes I would love to be involved for another 10 years, but 35 years is a good innings and the launch of the AtlasFram Group represents a natural break. It's a good time to hand over the reins of this fascinating business to my successor, Ian Watson.
"Achieving a successful merger between Atlas Agriculture and Framlingham Farmers has been my priority during the last year, so I've not had time to think of anything else," says Roger, who has two grown-up children, Caroline and Mark, four grandchildren, a 'nice garden' and an interest in classic cars. "I will certainly take time off before considering what comes next, but want to stay involved in this fascinating industry, so you probably haven't seen the last of me yet!"
Robert Rous, Chairman of the AtlasFram Group, commented: "Roger's career with Framlingham Farmers has encompassed many milestones in the agricultural industry and he has been an inspiration to Members and staff who have benefited from his tireless enthusiasm over the years. With a turnover of more than £100 million and over 1000 Members farming in excess of 600,000 acres throughout East Anglia, the South East, Midlands, South West and North West, the AtlasFram Group represents an exciting new era. Without Roger's efforts and determination we would not be where we are today."
