It’s good to talk.
That was one of the over-arching themes of the CLA’s regional Master Class conference, exploring strategies for family-run farms and estates.
While speakers came from different industries and backgrounds, the need for open and continuous communication among family members was a strand which united their rural businesses.
Held in the run-up to the CLA’s national Rural Business Conference in November, the sold-out event attracted attendees from across the South East and heard from experts who have grappled with the challenges of succession, inheritance and future planning.
The Wiston Estate in West Sussex has been in Richard Goring’s family since 1743. Mr Goring returned to the operation in 2011 having worked as a carpenter, and now manages the 6,000-acre estate which hosts 11 farms and 22 businesses as well as a successful vineyard.
He highlighted a series of “Ps” which in his experience are crucial to running a harmonious family-run business, including perspective, planning and parenting.
Mr Goring told the audience: “My siblings and I all see the estate in different ways. If you can, get together and talk about it. The concept of letting sleeping dogs lie is not a good idea so do talk about money and the difficult things.”
But Mr Goring placed the greatest importance on parenting: “We have three boys and in the past I’ve worked long hours. Children need time, and good succession ultimately starts with engaging with our children.”
Like the Wiston Estate, the host venue of the conference is rich in family history. Alexander More-Molyneux is the man in charge at Loseley Park in Surrey, with 15 generations dating back to 1508 and four generations currently living on the estate.
Mr More-Molyneux stressed succession is not a quick process. He said: “I took over in stages, with the handover happening over many years.”
It is also a topic never far from discussion: “We have quarterly estate meetings and there’s always an agenda item on it.”
Talking to his father “openly and often” had proved vital, an assertion backed up by fellow speaker Will Mathias, of CGJ Mathias & Son Nurseries in Surrey. It has been operating for over 50 years and is now a third-generation nursery, farming and forestry business.
Like Mr Goring, Mr Mathias has returned to the family fold, having worked as a rural surveyor. He said: “Working outside the business means I add a different perspective.”
Mr Mathias acknowledged he and his brother Tom have seen things differently to their father Bob, with the younger generation pushing for investment in technology and a desire to expand ranges away from simply growing products such as Leylandii.
“It can be a battle, but we sit down and talk. Our mother has acted as mediator and we thrash it out round the kitchen table.
“It helps to focus on that one issue, find common ground and remind ourselves of the common goal. We’re on the same side and want to achieve the same thing, which is a successful family business.”
Chaired by CLA Vice President Mark Tufnell, the conference also heard from public sector speakers about the role it can play supporting family businesses.
They included Kathy Slack, director of the Enterprise M3 LEP, and Tony Bray, from the Local Growth Unit at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, who updated delegates on Brexit and funding opportunities.
CLA South East represents thousands of landowners, farmers and rural businesses in Kent, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
Regional Director Robin Edwards said: “It was a fascinating conference full of interesting and engaging talks. It was pleasing to see such a strong turnout and the feedback from delegates was very positive.
“I’d like to thank the sponsors, venue and speakers for helping to make it such a successful day.”
The conference was sponsored by Barclays, Saffery Champness, Strutt &Parker, Kubota, Cottages.com and Mills & Reeve.
For more information about the CLA and its work, visit www.cla.org.uk/your-area/south-east/regional-news and follow @CLASouthEast on Twitter.
