Back British Farming Day 2024

As accountants, we may not be the first people you think about on this Back British Farming Day 2024, but as a local, market town firm in East Anglia we serve a range of farming clients from small tenant farmers to landowners of upwards of 1,000 acres.

Despite the range of farms and variances between each individual farmer and their families, there is an underlying and unreserved love for the job, and here at Whitings LLP we love to work with them too.

Members of our Farming Group today reflect on why they enjoy working with farmers and why backing British farming is important to them:

“They are honestly some of the nicest, and most down to earth people I have worked with. You get to know their business, the family and hopefully become a trusted advisor.”

Louise Bassett, Manager and Farming Group Chair

“I have always enjoyed getting my hands dirty in the garden as the soil falls through my hands as you plant and prepare for the following years growth. At times, I admire the British farmers who day in, day out to do this on a grander scale so that everyone in the country can have food on the table. The effort they put into not only growing the crops but considering the environment and land management is key for us to enjoy the ‘classic’ English countryside scenes. If I can support them and their families in some small way, it makes the work I do so much more enjoyable.”

Ben Kilby, Manager and Farming Group Vice Chair

“You see it in the field, you see it in the lorries and the shops, then finally you see it on the plate. You know where your food has come from and the care that has been taken.”

Mike Blackledge, Associate

“I think British Farming is important because it makes the most sense to try and be as self sufficient as possible”

Steven King, Manager

“British farmers are always looking to the future within the constraints and hassles of today, so are up for a challenge and receptive to fresh ideas. Learn from the past, but don’t seem able to rest on their laurels.”

Mark Haydon, Consultant

“Over my 30 plus years with Whitings our Farming clients have played a big part in my work. The work is varied year on year and always interesting from a tax planning perspective.”

Richard Alecock, Associate

As the NFU lobby today in Westminster for the new Government to put money where their mouth is, I call upon us all to Back British Farming in a small way by buying local. I know times are hard for a lot of people and that may not be sustainable for every individual long term, but if we all went out today and visited a local farm shop, purchased a cut of meat from a local butcher, or even just spent a few pence more in the supermarket for British produce rather than imported, we would all be supporting this hugely important sector that adds £127 billion to the UK economy, and looks after our quintessential British countryside.

Get In Touch

For more information or advice on how Whitings LLP can support those working in Agriculture, contact your local Whitings LLP office today.