Guild member Catherine Linch, of agricultural PR and marketing firm Pinstone Communications, was among 16 individuals to hone their skills on a recent leadership course.
Catherine attended the 19th Challenge of Rural Leadership which combined tutorials, interactive workshops and a ‘live’ case study task at Dartington Hall, Devon.
The two-week course is aimed at individuals in management positions and comprises an intensive programme of activities.
It is managed on behalf of the Worshipful Company of Farmers by the Rural Business School, Duchy College, Cornwall.
The aim is to provide high-potential managers with the capabilities to grow and thrive in continuously changing conditions.
This year’s course was held on 11-24 January.
Industry speakers who addressed course delegates included life peer Baroness Hazel Byford and the NFU president Meurig Raymond.
They offered insight into their own leadership journeys, within the context of the political, financial and environmental challenges affecting the future of rural industries.
Delegates were also shown how to manage the responsibility of a leadership role – and given the tools and motivation to understand and overcome their own strategic business challenges.
Catherine said gaining an insight into differing personality traits and an introduction to new problem solving and creative thinking exercises would prove invaluable.
“It’s rare to have the opportunity to focus for this period of time on your own professional development, in an environment that stretches and you and stimulates ‘out of the box’ thinking.
“It’s been challenging, but hugely rewarding too.”
For more information about the Challenge of Rural Leadership course, visit Duchy College or the Worshipful Company of Farmers.
