Farmers need this from Government to thrive - and it costs nothing
Experts from Gloucestershire led a passionate debate at the Royal Three Counties Show on the future of UK farming, a sector worth £1.5bn a year to the county and supporting more than 50,000 jobs.
Dears reader,
We have a number of great stories pending and are trying our best to get them across to you as we go.
Today we deliver a report on a debate at the recent Royal Three Counties show that featured experts from Gloucestershire and beyond.
But we are also the bearer of some very sad news. As someone who doesn’t always appreciate hearing about the death of people he knew on social media, sharing such news doesn’t quite sit right.
However, there is a strong message in the story below about Ollie Newbold (formerly of Randall & Payne which supported this publication) about the benefits of more of us getting involved in organ donation.
It’s a conversation we still find hard to have, but one that could potentially save the lives of our loved ones.
If this is the first you are hearing about Ollie’s death and knew him well, please accept my condolences. The whole article below has been approved by the firm and his family.
On a personal note, I am blessed with being able to meet all manner of people in my role as a journalist, but some stand out more than others. They stick in my memory not because they are extroverts or attention seekers or 'characters' in that sense (although some of them are), but the very best because they are decent, interesting, kind, thoughtful and often very funny individuals. I always felt strongly Ollie was one of those.
Best regards,
Editor | 07956 926061 | LinkedIn: Andrew Merrell | andrew.merrell@raikesjournal.co.uk
Randall & Payne pays tribute to partner Ollie Newbold
In a statement circulated to friends in the media this afternoon, and on its social media channels, the Gloucestershire accountant Randall & Payne has paid tribute to one of its partners, Ollie Newbold, who has died while waiting for a heart transplant.
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our dear colleague and friend, Ollie Newbold.
For more than 20 years, Ollie has been an integral part of our firm, having joined us straight from school and growing to become a respected and admired partner and member of our team.
His loss is felt deeply by all who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him.
Ollie combined exceptional professionalism with humour and genuine kindness, earning the respect of clients and colleagues alike.
His contribution to the firm was immeasurable, but it is his character, friendship and ability to bring people together that will be remembered most.
Jenny Newbold, Ollie’s wife, has asked us to share her sad news with the business community with the following words:
“Heartbreakingly, Ol, my husband and partner for nearly 25 years and father to Kit and Eliza, passed away at home on Wednesday afternoon. He was surrounded by family and loved ones in his final days and moments.
”Although we’re bereft, we know he is at peace and free from pain, the restrictions of his illness and the medical interventions that had plagued him all of his life, especially in the last few weeks.
“Ol died after spending eight months in hospital in Newcastle waiting for a heart transplant.
“He’d made unbelievable sacrifices for us in the hope of an active and fulfilling future. Ultimately, the national donor system in place let us down.
“Please, in honour of our courageous husband, father, brother, son and friend, read the page I’ve shared below and discuss your organ donation wishes with loved ones.
“No one should have to die when this situation was so avoidable.
”We will always be grateful to the staff at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. They are truly world-class and epitomise compassion.
”He is eternally loved.”
Rob Case, managing partner at Randall & Payne, said: “I am absolutely devastated by the sad news about Ollie.
“Randall & Payne has lost such a key member of the team, and I have lost a friend and confidant that I have worked with for 24 years; he will be sorely missed.”
A book of condolences will be available at Randall & Payne’s Shurdington offices for anyone who would like to share their memories and messages. We also recognise that this news may affect people in different ways, and anyone who would like to talk please reach out to a member of our team.
Organ donation key messages: https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/how-you-can-help/get-involved/key-messages-and-information/organ-donation-key-messages
Your briefing notes…
👩💼👩🏽💼👩🏽💼💷 The Nelson Trust, a charity we have featured many times on The Raikes Journal, has revealed the women in leadership networking event hosted last night at the Benefact Group in Gloucester, raised £7,500 to help it with its work supporting people to overcome addiction and the impact of all manner of inequalities. The event, also made possible by Azets, Meta Advisors and WSP Solicitors, featured a special panel of business people who discussed he challenges around leadership and the issues for women in such roles, as well as much, much more, We have a full report pending.
🏗️ Gloucester’s new indoor market, part of the £13.8 million Greyfriars Quarter development, could be open by Spring 2027, according to the city council. The scheme will see the current Eastgate Market Hall and parts of Eastgate Shipping Centre transformed into a new retail and community space with much of the funds already secured from Government. It’s welcome news for a council which recently had to announce the closure of its Blackfriars Priory venue. The local authority has been facing financial difficulties and required a £15.5m emergency support loan to cover its day-to-day running costs.
🏗️A major upgrade to Junction 10 of the M5 - described as transformational - has finally been approved by Gloucestershire County Council. Scheduled for completion in spring 2029, the scheme will provide access on and off the M5 for motorway users and a new link road connecting the A4019 to the B4634. It will also deliver 20,000 new homes and is key to the successful delivery of the Golden Valley development South of the junction and to the immediate west of GCHQ.
Some ideas for the weekend…
Friday (today):
The Cheltenham Food & Drink Festival is taking place all of this weekend at Montpellier Gardens in Cheltenham.
Suzanne Vega plays Stroud’s Sub Rooms tonight from 8pm.
Ballet Cymru’s Sleeping Beauty at The Roses, Tewkesbury, from 7pm.
Saturday:
Celebrate Marilyn Monroe’s centenary year, Gloucester Guild Hall will show the Hollywood classic Some Like It Hot from 2pm. More here.
Sunday:
This is Floyd, an acclaimed Pink Floyd tribute band, play Sub Rooms tonight from 7.3pm.
The Raikes Journal is a community interest company. Everything you read is made possible by our incredible Founding Partners: QuoLux, Willans LLP, Gloucestershire College, Merrell People, our sponsors, our Founding Members and wonderful paying subscribers.
Readers who upgrade to become a paid subscriber become part of this CIC too (from £2.30 a week). It helps make us sustainable, allows you to see past the paywalls, comment on our stories, and know you’re making possible the county’s only editorially-led digital magazine dedicated to delivering quality journalism for Gloucestershire about its businesses, charities, education and training sectors.
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Farmers need certainty Government to thrive
Experts from Gloucestershire led a passionate debate at the Royal Three Counties Show on the future of UK farming, a sector worth £1.5bn a year to the county and supporting more than 50,000 jobs.
In a wide-ranging debate about the future of farming in the UK the summary was stark – it’s an industry hampered by the uncertainty due to Government policy, but remains an exciting one for an entrepreneur.
Six experts from different specialisms – either in or serving agriculture – came together as one panel at the Royal Three Counties Show in an engaging debate in front of an eclectic audience.
Among them Gloucestershire legal expert Adam Hale of Willans Solicitors, Shirley Roberts of Hazlewoods accountants (both headquartered in Cheltenham) and Jonty Brunyee, agroecological farmer and facilitator, who farms in the Cotswolds at Aldsworth.
“The biggest single challenge for farmers right now is understanding what the future requirements will be,” said Hale, responding to a question from chairman Olivia Midgley, Farmers Guardian editorial director and chair of the discussion.
Hale was referring in particular to the changes in national policy introduced by the current Government, mainly around inheritance tax, which had caused chaos leading to “a very busy 18 months for us”.
Keir Starmer’s Government’s decision to change the rate of tax relief on assets, initially telling farms 100 relief only applied on assets up to £1m, but after considerable pressure changing that to £2.5m per person, had been the cause of the discombobulation.
It left many questioning whether it was viable to continue farming at all or economical to pass on what in some cases has been a family business for generations to the next generation without lumbering them with a long-standing or impossible tax bill.
“Farmers are very adaptable. There are short-term challenges around wealth, but it is really about longer-term planning – what are the demands around future production, where are the opportunities in terms of diversification?” said Hale, referring to the legacy of those changes.
“But they are trying to second-guess what the future will look like. We have seen how the changes resulting from inheritance tax have made some families decide this is the last generation who will farm and they are now planning for that; (assessing) what it is going to cost and looking at what investment is needed to achieve that.
“Farms are generally looking at very tight margins. It is about developing businesses fit for the future, and to do that they need to understand what the future looks like.”
Roberts agreed: “Farmers want more certainty, so they can plan ahead and make decisions. That’s the single biggest thing they need.
“It is not that farmers don’t want change, but for the Government to make one change (on inheritance tax) and then to U-turn causes havoc.”
One of the other legacies of the focus on future viability had been conversations about succession planning of the kind that have never happened before in some families.
“In my family, my parents and sister are dairy farmers. I have been part of help to instigate those conversations in our family. There were tears but, when we look back, I think we are glad to have had the conversations.
“And it now looks like the farm will continue for another generation.”
Despite this, the general mood from the panel was one of optimism and enthusiasm for the future of the industry and determination to push back strongly against any sense of doom and gloom.
Jo Hildith, poultry and fruit farmer and NFU poultry board member, said: “I do not have any time for those who spread negativity.
“It (farming) is not easy (currently), but there remains a lot of opportunities in farming.”
Brunyee agreed.
His own journey, he said, had begun as a tenant farmer for the National Trust on a farm they felt would, at best, be part-time. But he said it had now grown into a thriving business and more.
“I work with 13 entrepreneurs now and there are six of us work on the same farm taking a wage.”
Brunyee is also co-founder of Emergent Generation, which helps support young people to develop careers unsustainable farming, food production and supply. Farming, he said, was an industry with high barriers to entry but they were not unsurmountable if people worked together.
“I think a lot of farmers have felt overwhelmed, from the management to stewardship to funding,” said Hildith.
“There is a lot of funding out there, but it is complex.
“Fifty per cent of farmers lose money on food production each year.
“Diversification is key, but it is not easy.”
Brian Richardson, Virgin Money UK head of Agriculture, who travelled down from Cumbria specially for the event, said: “I think there are many opportunities too. And like we said, the biggest challenge is trying to foresee what the political environment will deliver.
“One of the consequences of Brexit is the sector is now wholly reliant on Government policy. That means potential change every five years, depending on what Government we get.
“It makes it difficult for farmers to understand what their land is for. That has led to changes in contracts and all sort of other changes. But there are still opportunities there.”
The UK government changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) for inheritance tax came into effect on 6 April 2026.
The reforms cap the amount of qualifying assets that can be passed on after death tax-free. The aim of the change is to reduce the use of farmland as a tax shelter for wealthy estates.
Originally the new limit was to be 100 per cent relief on £1 million, a drastic change which led to the protests in central London and the Government changes the amount on which there is 100 per cent relief to £2.5m per person, meaning a couple can claim relief on £5m.
Any value above the £2.5 million threshold receives only 50 per cent relief, resulting in an effective tax rate of 20 per cent (half the standard 40 per cent rate) with the tax on excess assets paid in interest-free instalments over 10 years.