Webinar: The future of farming & the diversification of agriculture

This session arranged by the institute's Harrogate committee is provided by Maxwell Perris and Bridget Slade, agricultural consultants for Crawford and Company.

They are passionate about ensuring the insurance industry is keeping pace with the changing risks associated with the essential agricultural industry and the claims of tomorrow.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this session delegates will be able to demonstrate an understanding of:

• the technology that is supporting new farming models such as vertical, super and urban farming and the enterprising ways by which farmers are now diversifying their businesses
• the challenges and opportunities currently being faced by both UK and global agriculture including Brexit, climate change, alternative feed sources and veganism.

Speaker Biography
Maxwell grew up in rural Somerset where he started working on a neighbouring dairy farm at age 14. In 2006 Max moved to France where he spent 10 years working on dairy, beef, arable, pig, poultry and tobacco farms.

Before moving into adjusting Max was managing a 350 strong pedigree dairy herd in Yorkshire where he still relief milks twice a month and during peak periods. Max studied in France where he obtained his Baccaluréat as well as degrees in Dairy based agricultural management and in agricultural mechanics (BPREA).

Industry relevant skills and experience are particularly important in this highly specialised area of claims work. Max is highly qualified in this respect and, whilst based in Yorkshire, he is a national Agricultural claims consultant to our ARIEL team. He has already made his mark in the adjusting arena on complex agricultural & aquaculture losses.