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Gloucestershire Business News

Gloucestershire's agricultural business hub Farm491 has a new leader

There is a new person in charge of Farm491, the agricultural industry business hub at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester.

Luke Halsey has been promoted to head of Farm491 and programme manager to oversee the development of the strategic and operational direction of the hub.

His role will also be to support local and national innovative agri companies to scale up.

A statement announcing his appointment said: "Luke Halsey has extensive experience in businesses that are orientated in environmental and social impact. 

"The new role will involve leading Farm491's incubation work to help businesses achieve their full potential, and cementing new partnerships and research initiatives to help the AgriTech ecosystem prosper.

Mr Halsey said: "I'm really excited about the role, and look forward to shaping the future of the work we do, which helps build the UK's innovative ecosystem.

"Farm491 has proved itself to be a national leader in supporting AgriTech companies.

"Over the last 18 months Farm491 has grown from just a handful of members to over 50 businesses, so I want to continue to build on this fantastic growth.

"I am passionate about accelerating the profile and role that British AgriTech plays in solving global challenges.

"These issues are beginning to get the attention they deserve amongst the press and general public, and it is up to the businesses we work with to drive the conversation in a positive direction with the exceptional work that is happening in the UK's agri and food industries.

"We want to ensure that solutions are coming forward that work for both farmers and consumers."

Farm491 has a busy month ahead, with the team hosting the 'New World Farming' event as part of Bristol's Technology Festival.

They will also be attending the Farm Business Innovation Show, CropTec and Food-Bytes! By Rabobank.

The Farm491 project is part financed by the Gloucestershire Growth Deal 2015 to 2021, an investment of £77.4million for the county to revitalise the local economy, delivered by GFirst LEP.

It provides facilities for start-up businesses, share office space, access to funding opportunities and business guidance.

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