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 1,000 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.
Guild member 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, who is also a Guild member, 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.”
