Investing in the future
Investing in the future of our rural landscapes means investing in you. We are seeking passionate individuals from all backgrounds, ready to lead and innovate. Do not let financial barriers hold you back. We are committed to leveraging our network and resources to ensure this high-value leadership course is accessible to everyone who can make a real impact.
Are you ready to take your career or business to the next level? Our courses are designed to help you do just that, whatever stage of career you’re at. Do you want to inspire your team to be the best they can be, hone your business acumen, and develop the confidence to invigorate and shape a business that’s fit for the future? Whatever your aspirations, our courses will help you to achieve them.
Which Course is right for you?
Choose the Challenge of Rural Leadership (CRL) programme if you want to broaden your horizons beyond your own farm or office gate, improve your public presence, and play a role in shaping the future of the UK rural sector.
Choose the Rural Business Management (RBM) programme if you need to “deep dive” into your business model, master complex financial management, and walk away with a concrete strategy for growth and resilience.
Many delegates find that these courses are complementary rather than mutually exclusive, often taking the RBM earlier in their management career and the CRL when they move into more senior, industry-facing roles.
Your Path to Excellence
The Worshipful Company of Farmers is dedicated to fostering the next generation of rural excellence. Whether you are looking to master the mechanics of a resilient business through the RBM or seeking to find your voice as an industry visionary via the CRL, you are choosing a legacy of success.
Both programmes offer more than just a certificate; they provide a lifelong network of peers, mentors, and the ‘WCF family’ to support your professional journey.
| FEATURE | CHALLENGE OF RURAL LEADERSHIP (CRL) | RURAL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT(RBM) |
|---|---|---|
| PRIMARY FOCUS | Strategic Leadership & Influence: Focusing on the "who" - developing the person as a leader. | Management & Strategy: Focusing on the "how" - applying management principles to the business. |
| TARGET AUDIENCE | Established leaders, policy makers, and those looking to influence the wider rural economy. | High-potential managers and owners looking to strengthen their operational and strategic capability. |
| KEY OUTCOME | Greater self-confidence, networking at a high level, and ability to influence national/international policy. | A robust strategic plan for your own business, improved financial literacy, and management agility. |
| CONTENT STYLE | Experiential: Heavy emphasis on media training, public speaking, and high-level debate. | Applied: Uses the delegate's own business as the primary case study and core learning material. |
| BUSINESS SKILLS | Focuses on lobbying, communication, and navigating political landscapes. | Focuses on investment appraisal, risk governance, and financial decision-making. |
| VENUE | Currently held at Dartington Hall, Totnes. | Primarily held at the Stonehouse Court, Stroud. |
| DATE | Two weeks residential during January | Online content, October; two weeks residential - November; online content December through to February |
| STRUCTURE | A high-intensity, two-week residential immersion. | A blended four-month programme including online sessions, a 2 week residential, and follow-up coaching. |
| COACHING | Focuses on peer-to-peer mentoring and building a lifelong network of "catalysts". | Includes individualised coaching sessions to support specific business development goals. |
| LEGACY | Celebrating over 30 years of empowering individuals to become catalysts for change. | Celebrating over 60 years of training the industry’s most successful business managers. |
| TYPICAL AGE RANGE | Generally ages 26 to 50; appeals to those moving into industry-wide roles. | Aimed at those at a point of significant transition within their specific business or organisation. |
| EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT | Involves heavy interaction with media and government agencies to build public influence. | Involves interaction with influential business leaders and lenders to build commercial strength. |
Summary of our Educational Portfolio
| COURSE | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Rural Business Management | |||||
| 2027 Challenge of Rural Leadership | |||||
| Business Growth Programme | |||||
| MBA | |||||
| Executive MBA |
