Building the Future of Food & Farming with Adam White, Head of Agriculture at Barclays
More People Podcast | Episode Recap
In this episode of the More People Podcast, host Andrew Fitzmaurice, CEO of MorePeople, sits down with Adam White, Head of Agriculture at Barclays UK, for a wide-ranging discussion on the future of agriculture, resilience in the food sector, innovation, and the importance of purpose in careers.
From the Ground Up: Meet Adam White
Adam White oversees agricultural operations for Barclays UK, a role that connects him directly to about one in five farms across the country. His team supports all aspects of farm businesses, from finance to future proofing, playing a key part in helping the sector grow and adapt.
Right out of the gate, Adam sets the tone: "If I really knew where interest rates were going, I’d be on a beach in Barbados." While he may not claim to predict economic futures, his insights into how global events ripple through agriculture are grounded and impactful.
Resilience is the New Normal
The conversation opens with a frank look at the barrage of unforeseen challenges the agri-food sector has faced in recent years, from Brexit and COVID-19, to ongoing supply chain disruptions and climate volatility.
What’s clear is the industry's remarkable resilience. “Farmers and food producers are very good at adapting and finding ways around things,” Adam says. Agility, being able to test, learn, and change direction swiftly is no longer optional. It’s critical.
Farmers Are Founders Too
Adam draws a powerful parallel between entrepreneurs in tech and those in agriculture: “If you took a farmer and dropped them into a tech startup, they’d thrive. The skillsets are so aligned, innovation, risk-taking, problem-solving.”
Farming is not simply traditional; it's deeply entrepreneurial. And with the help of Barclays’ sector-specific financial tools, including the Eagle Labs initiative, the industry is fast becoming more tech-savvy and innovation-focused than ever.
Eagle Labs: Cultivating Innovation
Barclays' Eagle Labs programme is a cornerstone of this transformation. Located in partnership with the University of Lincoln (and more recently expanded to Cambridge), these labs are more than just think tanks. They are operational hubs where tech entrepreneurs and agricultural businesses collaborate.
The Labs help startups connect with funding, refine their business models, and gain real-world traction, often from within the environment of a working farm. This early collaboration is key: “We want food businesses and tech founders to be working together before the product is finished,” Adam notes.
Farm Types & Tech Trends
Adam breaks UK farming into three core categories:
Landed Estates: Large, often heritage-rich estates branching into diversification projects like rewilding.
Tech-Driven Farms: Highly efficient operations focused on innovation, often producing for supermarkets or large supply chains.
Nature-Focused Farms: Medium-sized farms blending sustainable practices with biodiversity and conservation efforts.
While every farm has its own rhythm, the tech farms are spearheading the drive for automation, robotics, and AI. From GPS combines to robotic potato grading (parsnips still evade automation, for now!), the advances are transforming how food is grown, sorted, and sold.
Food Sovereignty & Sustainable Supply Chains
Andrew and Adam delve into the importance of local production, particularly in light of events like the tomato shortages from Spain. Could vertical farming and UK-based horticulture be part of the solution? Possibly, but the economics must make sense. As Adam points out, “Producing food we typically wouldn’t, and doing it sustainably, presents a real opportunity for farmers and entrepreneurs alike.”
Talent With Purpose
Attracting the next generation of agricultural professionals is a hot topic and Barclays is ahead of the curve. While agriculture may not seem like an obvious career path for many young professionals, Adam argues the opposite: “If you're interested in tech, nature, or food, there's something here for you.”
In fact, many of his team members at Barclays find deep personal pride in working within agriculture. “You walk into a supermarket, see a product, and know you helped make that happen,” Adam reflects.
Final Thoughts: What Would Adam Tell His 24-Year-Old Self?
“Listen more. Seek out different opinions. You don’t know it all at 24, none of us do.”
He also reminds us that learning never stops. “If you’re not developing, you’re standing still. The moment you think you know it all is the moment you stop growing.”
