Hazlewoods provide business and tax advice to approximately 350 farmers and agri-businesses. Farm size ranges from 200 to 7,000 acres, turnover up to £80 million. Good mix of large-scale commercial farms including dairy, combinable crops, potatoes, soft fruit, chickens and more extensive livestock together with estates and larger agribusinesses. Clients based largely (2/3) in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire with the rest (1/3) scattered across the country. Clients tend to be dynamic farming businesses.
Recent projects include: preparation of business plan for anaerobic digester expansion together with assistance with raising funding; assistance with major expansion for processing dairy; review of business and tax planning aspects for large scale PV array; advice on incorporation of soft fruit enterprise.
Expert witness in partnership dispute between two brothers (settled on steps of High Court);
Expert witness re contract dispute between landowner and contract dairying company (settled at mediation);
Expert witness for tenancy succession application on matters of livelihood;
Expert witness report in professional negligence case against adviser to a farming business.
Regular speaker at meetings and conferences on agricultural business and tax matters plus contribute articles to press and newsletters.
Past chair of Rural Agricultural Group, RAG (UK) a position held for ten years. Organised and ran a national group for agricultural accountants across the UK. Group provides forum for exchange of ideas on topical issues for our farming clients, training and shared resources.
Past chairman of West of England Society of Chartered Accountants (WESCA).
Deloitte – Cambridge 1988 to 1997
Qualified as Chartered Accountant with the agricultural group of Deloitte. Seconded to the Kimberley office of Deloitte in South Africa in 1996 where looked at projects for De Beers Farms and large scale central pivot farms on the Orange River.
Zeneca, Lincolnshire and then Newmarket 1985 to 1988
Worked with the technical product development team of ICI Agrochemicals for three years. Carried out field trials and work to support the sales force.
Gained insight into large multi-national in the agricultural supply industry.
Education
Qualified as Chartered Accountant in 1988 (FCA)
Edinburgh University, 1981 to 1985, First Class Honours Degree in Crop Production.
Background
Grew up on a dairy farm in Gloucestershire.
Work Interests
Member of NFU, CLA, Agricultural Law Association, Institute of Agricultural Secretaries and Administrators.