The British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN) has appointed former journalist and public relations consultant Clemmie Gleeson as Head of Communications.
The appointment comes as membership to BOFIN reaches 1000 highlighting the growing interest in on-farm trials. The new role strengthens the team in its work to engage farmers in trials bringing an additional income stream to their businesses while contributing to the industry’s longer-term sustainability. Working in partnership with research institutions and technological innovators BOFIN’s role across its projects includes farmer engagement and dissemination of findings for the benefit of the wider industry.
Clemmie brings more than 20 years’ experience of agricultural communications including five years as regional reporter for Farmers Guardian and a 12-year stint as a freelance journalist and communications consultant. More recently she was part of the team at specialist agricultural agency Reverberate PR, providing PR and communications services for a range of clients across the industry. Clemmie studied Agri-Food Marketing & Business Studies at Harper Adams and holds postgraduate qualifications in both journalism and PR.
She says: “It’s an exciting time to join BOFIN as more farmers and research institutions recognise the value of working together to find solutions to agriculture’s many challenges. My aim is to continue building on the great work already delivered by the team and build BOFIN’s profile further through effective communications.”
Since it was founded in September 2020, BOFIN has grown and now has over 1000 members around half of whom are farmers. Founder and Managing Director Tom Allen-Stevens says: “It is a particularly exciting time to be working in Agritech, with some fascinating innovations now coming into the field. BOFIN leads in this area, supporting farmers who fulfil that crucial role turning research paradigm into practical in-field progression.
“Bringing those farmers together with scientists and tech innovators, giving them a platform to share their experiences, and for those to be valued, are vital for the progression of our industry. This underlines the significance of the role of Head of Communications at BOFIN, and we’re thrilled to have Clemmie on board, with her enthusiasm and experience to help spearhead that exchange of knowledge.”
ENDS
For further information contact Clemmie Gleeson clemmie@bofin.org.uk tel 07485 762841.
Notes to editors
- The British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN) was founded in September 2020 by Tom Allen-Stevens to represent farmers who carry out their own on-farm trials.
- The network currently has over 1000 members, around 50% of whom are farmers. The rest are scientists, knowledge exchange managers, industry innovators and the ‘just curious’.
- Membership of BOFIN is free and there is no obligation to carry out on-farm trials, or to get involved. But for those who do, the aim for BOFIN Farmers is to seek a more scientific approach to on-farm trials. We encourage collaboration, discussion, and offer a platform to share ideas and for these to be valued.
- BOFIN Farmers have a bent for pre-commercial technology. We seek a more sustainable, resilient path for agriculture, both for the UK and worldwide. But the journey to get there should be exciting, inspiring and exhilarating.
Find out more and join at www.bofin.org.uk
For more on-farm trials related press releases click here.
