Farming has always been a family orientated business with each family member being assigned their own role to play. However, in the last 30 years the biggest shift has probably been the position women have held in agriculture, consultancy services and farming businesses.

Some of the most inspirational people I have met have been women in agriculture who all portrayed similar qualities: they were primarily hard working and all successfully identified and capitalised on a gap in the market. And on International Women's Day, I think it's important to celebrate their achievements.

Most of these women would probably admit they didn't know which direction their business would take when they were 18, 25 or even 30; some weren't even involved in agriculture until a later career change. However, a strong common dictum resonated: do something you are passionate about. If you're going to work 18 hour days building your brand, farm or reputation while juggling life and family commitments, make sure you enjoy yourself while doing it.

Having grown up on my parents arable farm, I was always drawn to agriculture: be it Young Farmers Club, helping my dad at harvest, or choosing to go to Harper Adams University, which specialises in agricultural studies. After very wise counsel from my parents, the choice of degree shaped my career. I am lucky that as a farm agent, I have a job I enjoy, I work in an industry I'm proud of, I get to see a lot of our wonderful countryside and meet a wide variety of people.

My career is a big part of who I am and I have worked hard to get where I am today, so when I fell pregnant with my son George three years ago, it was very important to me that I didn’t lose this part of my make-up. I have been fortunate to have such a fantastic support network around me, both in my personal and professional life, enabling me to continue my career as a farm agent.

My husband and I grew up in a farming environment and we wanted George to have the same experience. As a consequence we have built our home on my in-laws’ dairy farm in North Yorkshire, which enables my husband – who has his own electrical business specialising in agriculture – to be much more involved with the farm while still having plenty of time for us to be together as a family.

When George was 10 months old, I went back to work part-time. Flexibility is key and while I have set working days, if meetings or pitches come up I am always willing to change my diary around. This wouldn’t be possible without my mother, who looks after George while I'm at work, and my mother-in-law.

I have worked for Savills for more than 10 years now and have always given it my all. In return, the trust the company has shown me since we welcomed George in to the world has made such a difference. It's not easy combining working with being a good mother and wife and helping out on the farm, but with everyone's help I have managed to achieve a healthy work-life balance. What more could I ask for?

Further information

Contact Savills farms and estates services team or view available farm properties for sale