Corporate structure gives B & C Farming the tools for successful succession

GB Potatoes Director, Sophie Bambridge, joined the family business, B & C Farming, in 2016. Today, she’s the Business Manager and, alongside the Farm Manager Chris Day, runs a business contract farming over 2,200ha across North East Norfolk producing ware and seed potatoes as well as wheat, barley, sugar beet, grass seed, oilseed rape and seed for cover crop mixes.

Passing the reins of a successful business from one generation to another is rarely easy, but for father and daughter, Tony and Sophie Bambridge, the process is well underway and, so far, the plan is working well.

B & C Farming was originally B & C Potatoes, a partnership between Tony and his former employer, David Crane. When David died, Tony farmed the Crane family’s land under contract while continuing to expand his potato seed production, with the Crane family remaining supportive silent shareholders. Now, there are nine contract farming agreements and multiple shareholders of the business.

“We’re not a traditional family farm but we are a farming business with family members holding shares and working within the company,” explains Sophie. “That structure gives the business a very different dynamic – a much more corporate one.”

As a first-generation farmer entering into a partnership with another family, Tony had to seek professional advice. That set the business on a trajectory which, the father and daughter agree, is helping to smooth the successional transition.

“I quickly got used to board meetings, putting forward cropping plans, machinery replacement policies and budgets,” recalls Tony.

“Rather than farming ‘the way it had always been done’, I was usually looking at the latest research and following best practice.”

“It takes the emotion out of decision making,” adds Sophie. “With other shareholders in the business and a non-executive chairman, there are no ‘favours’; everything is decided on merit.”

Sophie credits Tony with truly stepping back, giving her and Chris the space to grow, and crucially, to make mistakes.

“It’s not been easy,” admits Tony. “There comes a time when you wake up realising that you don’t know what everyone is doing tomorrow – something that was unimaginable for decades.

“Then there’s the difference in approaches. Having to eat humble pie when the new managers have taken a route I wouldn’t have, only for it to work.”

Tony considers relinquishing control as essential, saying that while his generation have the experience, the next generation has the dynamism and drive to take businesses forward.

“We need to get out of their way,” he says.

As well as respecting the space Tony has given her and the team, Sophie acknowledges the value in having the ability to draw on 40 years of experience.

“We’re ten years into the transition and I think we’re continuing to find the right balance,” she says. “Most of the time, it is reassurance that Tony offers but every now and again he’ll give us a different perspective on a problem.”

Sophie and Chris who run the business day-to-day have complementary skills. After completing the MDS graduate scheme, Sophie spent seven years working with Barfoots of Botley acquiring extensive experience in account management, logistics and vegetable production. Chris is BASIS and FACTS qualified, and responsible for the arable production, nutrient management and crop protection.

“For almost every crop we grow there’s a ‘staple version’ as well as a seed variant,” explains Sophie.

“On the potato side of the business, the processing crop goes to McCain and Birds Eye through Greenvale. The seed crop also goes to Greenvale and McCain.”

From a marketing perspective, the premise of B & C Farming is specialisation. 

“We are growing a known crop for a known market for a known customer. We’re not speculating but building strong relationships with a number of key customers. We feel that that gives the best returns overall.”

Advocating for the sector

As well as managing the business, Sophie is Chair of CUPGRA and has been a Director of GB Potatoes since its inception.

“I firmly believe that by working together, we can leverage greater value and benefit for the potato industry as a whole, particularly for growers,” she says.

“The experience of AHDB has shown that people can become disillusioned when they feel removed from decision-making processes and perceive bureaucratic inefficiencies. In contrast, GB Potatoes is lean and totally focused on delivering value for the potato sector. We are truly accountable to those we represent.

“The approach is working – GB Potatoes is already in dialogue with Defra, and attracting positive media coverage for the industry,” adds Sophie.

Tony highlights the power in a collective. Beyond gaining a seat at the table with regulators and political decision-makers, he points to practical activities such as applying for EAMUs and facilitating grower-led research.

“There’s much to do,” admits Sophie. “Which is why we’re encouraging growers to become members of GB Potatoes and actively get involved in its activities, such as the planting survey, which is currently open. 

“To make informed decisions on resource allocation, GB Potatoes needs a clear, data-driven picture of the sector. It’ll strengthen our voice as we advocate for the sector too.”

As Sophie and Tony discuss the future, one word stands out – opportunity.

“Potatoes are one of the UK’s most nutritionally balanced foods. With innovations like the air fryer, they can make quick, convenient and affordable meals too. 

“If we can elevate awareness about potatoes’ exceptional nutritional profile and the industry’s concerted efforts towards sustainable production practices, there’s a distinct opportunity to grow potatoes’ value proposition as a nutritious and environmentally responsible food choice.”

“Ultimately, potatoes are an incredibly valuable crop for the UK agricultural sector, so it is only right that we work towards getting the recognition they deserve,” concludes Sophie.

Media and Press: Rebecca Dawes or Katie Insch – gbpotatoes@jcmandco.media