A LARGE contingent of farm secretaries from Herefordshire attended the Institute of Agricultural Secretaries and Administrators (IAgSA) celebration of “50 years of Excellence” at the annual conference held at Walton Hall Hotel in Warwickshire with 130 delegates attending the three-day conference.

The conference opened with a members' forum tackling the topic “ What Next for You” which was led by Rachel Carr from Business Checkmate based in Herefordshire.

The farm administrators were challenged with the thinking about the implications of Brexit, Making Tax Digital and how changes in farm support could impact on their businesses.

IAgSA works closely with the three key farming charities and the chief executives – Paul Burrows RABI, Charles Smith FCN and Ian Bell Addington – gave an update on the work of these organisations and stressed the importance of all organisations working together to support farmers with the changes that exit from the EU will challenge the industry with.

John Thame, from accountants firm Ellacotts, chaired the conference.

Presentations from key-note speakers included James Attrill (BCM LLP) who outlined the issues that are raised when “Handing on the Farm Business” alongside Helen King (Ellacotts), who spoke about the tax implications of succession.

Jane Aylwin from Added Perspective Accounting gave delegates an insight how she runs her cloud-based practice, offering fully collaborative bookkeeping and accountancy support to SME’s.

This was followed by a series rolling workshops from accountants, lawyers, software companies and the farming industry in general.

On the last day of the conference, Minette Batters gave members an insight into her journey into becoming the first female Deputy President of the NFU.

Chris Padfield, promoted training and development in Agriculture, referring to his Nuffield scholarship report - GREAT farmers – Growing Really Exceptional and Talented Farmers. Sir Jim Paice, IAgSA’s patron, gave his candid view on the current political landscape.

Fourteen past IAgSA chairmen were in attendance and the anniversary cake was cut by the former chairmen Margaret Dixon (1982-83) and Sylvia Jones (1986-89).

At the Gala Dinner further memories and moments of the 50 years of IAgSA were shared by past chairman – Nancy Sloan (1992-94), Fiona Ives (2004-06) and Tim Cartwright (2010-13).

Farm Office Handbook was first published in 2012 as a resource to support the IAgSA training programme for new recruits into the sector and for the wider farming community - particularly family farming members.

The revised and updated second Edition was launched at the 50th Anniversary Conference; Minette Batters tweeted this is a “must have for every farm office”.

Outgoing chairman, Cathy Meredith, has bought a wealth of knowledge and experience to IAgSA; the successful IAgSA Farm Accounting and Business Administration Programme is largely due to her persistence and hard work.

During her term of office she was awarded an MBE for services to the rural and farming community in her home county of Herefordshire.

The incoming chairman is Sally Lemonius from the Isle of Wight, who along with working with her farming clients is Company Secretary of Harry Ferguson Holdings Ltd.