Hartpury University and Hartpury College's Agri-Tech Centre has introduced a new change management programme, delivering a series of free workshops.

The workshops are tailored to the needs of current and future farming and agriculture business leaders.

The four-part programme will take place next month at the Gloucestershire institution's state-of-the-art facility.

Due to a combination of environmental, geopolitical and socio-economic factors, food security is firmly on the agenda and set to face many new and recurring pressures.

Food producers must overcome a number of challenges - feeding an increasing population, volatility within marketplaces and an increasingly competitive land base - all whilst climate change delivers unpredictable and extreme weather events, with potentially devastating effects.

As a result, change is already underway, and food and farming businesses will be central to driving this shift.

Given the urgency of the situation, Hartpury's Agri-Tech Centre has created this forward-thinking programme, which includes four essential workshops.

It will be delivered by Hartpury Agri-Tech centre manager, Ben Thompson, and AgriEnable principal consultant, David Farley, with contribution from active agri-business leaders.

Each workshop will examine the critical aspects of change management decisions and actions, tailored towards the needs of current and future food and farming business leaders. It will equip attendees with the appropriate tools and techniques to evaluate, navigate, deliver and lead the changes required for themselves and their businesses to face the future with confidence.

Ben Thompson, Hartpury's Agri-Tech centre manager, said: "Change management skills are an essential part of the agriculture sector, whether applied through the adoption and implementation of new technologies, diversification or trialling new and innovative business practices.

"For the industry to evolve, we must be able to understand, prepare and effectively deliver change to support the productivity and sustainability of our farming and agricultural businesses.

"We're incredibly excited to launch this unique programme, which is not to be missed if you're an aspiring or current agri-food industry professional."

Limited spaces are available. Each session must be booked individually, and you don't need to attend all sessions to be a part of and benefit from the programme. Refreshments will be provided.

Understanding the Need for Change (Thursday May 11, 4-7pm)

Preparing for Change (Wednesday May 17, 4-7pm)

Delivering Change (Wednesday May 24, 4-7pm)

Leading Change (Wednesday May 31, 4-7pm)