OFC chairman Alistair Brooks

OFC chairman Al Brooks: The OFC opens doors

The Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) is seeking three new directors to join its team from January 2016 for a three-year term.

Responsibilities will include delivering the conference programme between 2017 and 2019 as part of a nine-strong team, as well as helping with extended activities now linked to the OFC, such as the Summer Arable Conference.

Director positions are honorary, although expenses are reimbursed, and are typically held by people active within the agricultural and horticultural industries.

Selection process is based on trying to get a balanced team, so applicants whose particular skills are already represented on the council should apply in another year.

“I’m involved in the conference because it pushes me to really think about the future of my farming operations and it opens doors that would not have been there if I hadn’t joined the council,” said OFC chairman, Al Brooks, who is stepping down in 2016 along with Tina Barsby and Philip Wilkinson.

“In my view our January conference is the leading event for networking and debate in British farming, which is galvanized by our related activities such as an active scholars’ programme and an annual research report which often exposes some uncomfortable truths, as well as areas of opportunity for our industry.'

“By joining the council you are making a commitment to delivering the conference and it is important that prospective applicants appreciate the time commitment being made,” added Brooks.

The OFC is particularly seeking people with any of the following: a track record of innovation in agriculture or horticulture; experience of developing agricultural policies and strategy; highly effective communication, networking and PR skills; broad networks of contacts.

Those selected as members will be invited to attend two council meetings in November and December 2015, prior to formal appointment, and will then be expected to attend six to eight meetings per year.

Applications can be downloaded from the OFC website and the deadline is 12 June 2015.

The 2016 conference will be held on 5-7 January at the Oxford University Examination Schools.

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