2025 Learning Extension Days
Posted on Thu, Apr 3, 2025 2:21 PM
The Worshipful Company of Farmers Alumni Association (WCFA) Committee has developed the 2025 Learning Extension Day (and a half!) to be held on Tuesday 25th November and continuing on Wednesday 26th November at the nearby Holywell Park Centre inside the Loughborough University campus.
The purpose of the Alumni Learning Extension Days (LED) is to:
- offer an opportunity to alumni of WCF courses to continue to expand their knowledge of modern business management techniques
- provide further opportunities for alumni to think beyond their day to day agricultural business activities for the long-term benefit of themselves and their businesses
- aid alumni networking across all WCF courses and years
- provide access to mentoring and support for those seeking help with specific business and/or leadership challenges
An interactive event with many opportunities for group discussion, the LED is being developed to stretch your minds and continue to help advance alumni to meet the future challenges of UK agri-businesses and turn as many of those as possible to opportunities.
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2025 Programme: 'DEVELOPING RESILIENCE TO BOUNCE BACK'
25th November - registration from 14:00 - The Link Hotel:
14:30 - 'Networking Bingo' - our traditional networking session.
16:20 - 'Making Connections' - how being a mentee or becoming a mentor can benefit your career and business - presented by Helen Wyman (CRL 2024), John Borland & Sarah Evans of Twocan Mentor.
Pre-dinner drinks reception will take place between 18:45-19:30, followed by the WCFA Dinner*. The 2025 after-dinner speaker is George Bowyer, a rural raconteur who campaigns for farming and the country; and will regale us with tales of his adventures and escapades within the rural community.
All the events on 25th will be at The Link Hotel; please remember to reserve your accommodation **(first come first served basis).
26th November - registration from 8:15am for those joining on the second day - Holywell Park Conference Centre:
Following breakfast at The Link, drive into the University campus as the day's events will take place in the nearby Holywell Park (please note, we will be finishing earlier to assist your journeys home).
09:00 - Welcome by Claire Wright (CRL 2018), Chairman of WCFA
09:10 - Education Update by Nick Padwick (ABM 2008), Chairman of Education from October 2025
09:20 - Keynote speaker presented by Tom Walker, co-founder of Warner's Distillery, who will present on the highs and lows of starting the business.
11:00 - Andy Venables, CEO of Hillsgreen, will talk about resilience in his life's journey to date.
Lunch at 12:00 noon
13:20 - Panel discussion on adverse reactions - conversations with our panel from those within the farming industry and from outside agriculture who have faced adversity head-on: Major Faye Medleycott, Royal Artillery, & Oliver Edwards, Exmoor hill farmer. Facilitated by Ellie Hay
14:40 - Feedback with the WCFA Committee
15:10 - Closing comments by Claire Wright, Chairman of WCFA
(Programme subject to change if necessary)
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The 2025 LED is open to paid-up WCFA Members and guests. The numbers for this event are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.