BASIS qualified farm manager Simon Ash has joined the business development team at Anglia Farmers with a geographical remit to assist existing and new members located in The Fens, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and Leicestershire.

Simon has been a farm manager all his working life. For much of this time he managed the ADAS farm at Terrington St Clements near King’s Lynn. When ADAS was privatised in the mid-1990s, he managed all the group’s farms in East Anglia – namely Terrington, Arthur Rickwood near Chatteris and Boxworth near Cambridge – covering 1400 acres.

As such he sourced his farming inputs through the March-based buying group Marcam & MDS Supplies. Like many other Marcam members, he accepted the mutually beneficial invitation to transfer his membership to Anglia Farmers following the retirement of Marcam’s general manger in 2006.

“As a member, I already endorse the buying group philosophy,” said Simon. “It is fascinating to see what goes on behind the scenes. I have spent several days in the buying office now and am impressed with the professional procurement of goods across all sectors. Members should have confidence to let Anglia Farmers do their buying.”