The John Edgar Trust, since its foundation in 1970

The John Edgar Trust

The John Edgar Trust is a Hampshire-based charity dedicated to helping people in southern England to achieve their potential in farming and rural enterprises.

To this end it will once again in 2023/24 be running the bi-annual Management Development Training Scheme. The John Edgar Trust has, since its foundation in 1970, aimed to enhance leadership and management skills within agriculture and the land-based industries, following the inspiration of the late John Edgar. It is a Hampshire-based Registered Charity dedicated to helping people to achieve their potential in rural enterprises.

The Trust offers, through its Management Development Scheme, a unique Management Training opportunity to people engaged in farming and land-based industries in southern England.

The Trust finances and organises a biennial residential course covering all aspects of rural business management. For each course, applications for an Award are invited from people who are already established in their rural business careers, and normally twelve people are selected. Successful applicants are asked to support the work of the Trust in the future. The Trust gratefully acknowledges ongoing practical support received from numerous individuals, institutions and commercial organisations.

The course consists of a five-day December module and a four-day January module at the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, followed by a four-day case study module held in Hampshire in February. The lead tutor for the Course is Chris Padfield and he is assisted by colleagues from the RAU Cirencester and other lecturers drawn from other educational establishments and the professions.

Over the past four decades almost 300 people have benefited from the Management Development Scheme and they are invited to attend a series of events organised by the Trust. The Trustees are proud of the achievements of the Trust over forty years, and believe that the organisation has moved to reflect the significant changes that have occurred within the rural sector over this period. Its scope has widened from purely agricultural businesses to encompass all aspects of land-based enterprise, and the wide range of experience of more recent Award applicants is evidence of this.

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