Former Guild member Malcolm Benjamin, a one-time owner/publisher of Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer magazine, died late June aged 73, after what his wife Beki describes as a “courageous battle” with oesophageal cancer.
‘Benj’ as he was universally known, began his agricultural publishing career in advertising sales for British Farmer & Stockbreeder and in the 1980s on What’s New in Farming, based in Birmingham.
Fellow Guild member Steve Mitchell was WNiF’s editor at the time: “I remember Benj as being resolutely cheerful, a proud Midlander, and great company,” he recalls. “And a decent cricket player who played alongside me for the occasional ‘ag hacks’ team run by the late Barry Wilson and Robert Bojduniak in the 1980s and ‘90s.”
Taking on the role of advertising sales manager at ACP Publishers helped bolster the late Tony Collier’s two titles, Amenity Machinery & Equipment (AME), and Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer, based at Deddington, Oxfordshire, alongside journalists Ian Marshall, Jane Carley and the late Andy Collings.
Jane recalls: “Benj was a huge asset with his outgoing personality and enduring passion for the magazine, he made so many friends in the industry and always had time for everyone.
“We had some great days at Iron Down Farm, Benj being the ultimate wingman for Tony Collier and our liquid lunchtimes – eating is cheating and a sandwich was frowned on – were the perfect opportunity to put the world to rights and formulate our next master plan.”
In 2007, Benj and his wife Beki acquired ACP Publishers and maintained the contractor publication’s long-running success, not only in terms of advertising revenue but also as overseer of the editorial content, to which he turned his hand himself, contributing contractor profiles and articles on costings and management topics.
He helped bring on new talent by invariably hosting a participant on the Guild’s popular and very successful John Deere Training Award scheme for several days of work experience, and brought in Matt Tilt as a new journalist, now editor of Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer published by Mark Allen Group.
“It’s fair to say I wouldn’t be where I am today without Benj and Beki,” says Matt.
“He took a chance on me and was a guiding hand as I tried to navigate the various complexities of the machinery world. He was patient, always had a good idea to help me turn an article around, and was always open to new ways to develop the magazine.
“When he sold Farm Contractor to Lewis Business Media in 2020, his presence was sorely missed, by me especially, and I still look back on how he would approach a topic because in the ten years I’ve been writing about machinery it has rarely led me astray.
“But the best representation of the man is likely the response I’ve had from the people he worked with, the people at companies who, six years after he retired, would still stop me at shows to ask how he was. He seemed to have endless capacity to work with people, and that legacy continues.”
Simon Brown of machinery firm Amazone, said: “He was such a great, genuine guy who appreciated those in the industry and used his vast array of contacts to tap into the experience we all have. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him and Beki over the years and looked forward to his monthly contact to share ideas on systems and equipment.”
David Coleman of Terrington Machinery knew Benj as both a commercial contact and a friend: “We have known Benj for many years and were devastated to hear of his passing.
“He was excellent at his job, never putting anyone under pressure to advertise with him, and beyond work, he became a close personal friend, especially to my wife, Debbie. They were often on the phone together, talking about everything except work, and the friendship between ourselves continued after Benj retired and sold the business, with cards and gifts still exchanged between us.
“Benj, our very good friend who loved his wife and family deeply, will always be sorely missed by both me and Debbie and everyone at Terrington Machinery; as ever, our love and thoughts are with Beki and the family.”
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A funeral service for Benj will be held 12 noon on Friday, July 17 at North Chapel, Oakley Wood Crematorium just off the M40 near Bishop’s Tachbrook, Warwickshire (CV33 9QP), and afterwards at the Peacock Inn, Upper Tysoe CV35 0SE. Dress: Black/dark, please. Donations in Benj’s memory on the day or via R Locke & Son, Shipston-on-Stour (rlockeandson.co.uk) to Shipston Home Nursing.
Harvest Lunch 2026
Our annual harvest celebration is the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends, colleagues and network with other agricultural communicators.
