How to land your story: the 2026 CLA Rural Business Conference

Every rural business has a story worth telling. But in an increasingly complex world, how effectively you tell that story matters more than ever.

Taking place on Thursday 19 November at the QEII Centre in London, the CLA Rural Business Conference will explore how farms, estates and rural businesses can harness the power of storytelling to build stronger brands, influence decision-makers and unlock new opportunities.

Don't miss the opportunity to hear new ideas and learn from those already putting effective communication into practice. Secure your place to discover how telling your story more powerfully could support the future of your rural business.

• James Pennefather, CEO of Chapel Down Group, the leading English winemaker with more than 1,000 acres of vineyards in Kent and growing customer base in the UK and overseas.
• Sophie Gregory, a first-generation dairy farmer, communicator and advocate for British agriculture. Having built her business from scratch in the South West, she uses her voice to champion a more resilient future for the sector.
• Emma Fletcher, who leads high impact, high innovation projects in real estate at Octopus Energy Homes - with a particular focus on housing, energy performance and green energy production.
• David Harvey, a third-generation farmer who has developed a variety of successful business diversifications - large and small - at Wickham Hall near Bishop's Stortford.
• Ben King, Founder, CEO and skipper at Pesky Fish, a seafood supply chain connecting UK buyers directly to the British regenerative fishing fleet.
• Annette Richman, who has spent almost 20 years working with landed estates and is Managing Director and Founder of KOR Communications – a leading public relations consultancy in the land and property sector.
• Mark Williams, an experienced beef, sheep and poultry farmer whose land in the valleys and uplands of Mid Wales faces a number of challenges.
• Alex Newton, Deputy Director of Strategy and Development at More in Common, who will offer exclusive insights from the polling and research firm.

Together, speakers will bring perspectives from farming, food and drink, energy, government and wider business, helping delegates consider how they can communicate the value of their own enterprises more effectively.

Public perception can influence policy, community support can shape planning outcomes and customers are more likely to buy from businesses they know and trust. That makes the ability to communicate your purpose, impact and ambition an increasingly important business skill.

Follow the link below to confirm your place today and take advantage of special prices for CLA members.