NFU furthers Stoneleigh investment

Following an extensive internal review of member services and requirements, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has announced proposals for a comprehensive restructure of its services provision, including the centralisation of this provision to its Stoneleigh headquarters.

Currently, membership and legal services, including the NFU helpline (Call First) and publications, are carried out in large part by Associa, initially set up as NFU Services Ltd in 1999 as a joint venture between the NFU and NFU Mutual.

Associa, which also fulfilled external contracts, became a wholly owned subsidiary of the NFU in November 2007, and the decision was taken in October 2008 to cease external contracts.

Under the new proposals, all member, legal and publications services, along with support functions including finance, IT and HR, will be relocated to NFU HQ at Stoneleigh over a period of 12 months, with staff being transferred to the NFU.

As part of the proposals, the NFU will be looking to make a further investment in the Stoneleigh site in the form of additional office space.

NFU director general Richard Macdonald said the proposals were the result of an in-depth, comprehensive review of member services, and the need to continue to focus clearly on putting membership at the heart of the NFU.

He said: “The core business of the NFU is as a premier trade association, representing its members and providing a valued, and value for money, service to them. These proposals look to bring together the unrivalled national policy work and service provision we offer to our members in one location, and demonstrate the NFU’s continuing commitment to provide the very best for those members.

“This is also a significant investment in the NFU’s future, and a further signal of its commitment to members,” he added.

No decision has yet been taken on the future of the Uppingham site, which also houses the NFU East Midlands regional office, and Macdonald said it was hoped as many staff as possible would relocate to Stoneleigh under the new proposals.