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​The recent warning from Save British Farming (SBF) about the UK's food supply disruption is a frightening reminder of the fragility of our food system. During their recent event at Westminster, farmers and industry experts highlighted the urgent need for government action to prevent severe disruptions to food supplies.Key Concerns RaisedGovernment Inaction: Former Foreign Secretary James Cleverly noted that the government is underestimating the potential impact of food supply disruptions and seemingly not taking into consideration the severity of the current and future risks.Food Security as National Security: SBF founder Liz Webster poignantly stated, "An army marches on its stomach, and those who feed the army – farmers, food workers, manufacturers – must be protected too."As someone who is passionate about the UK’s agricultural sector and recruiting within it, I resonate with the concerns raised personally. The challenges faced by farmers are not just about crops and livestock; they're about the togetherness of our society and economy. The Government's acknowledgement that "food security is national security" in its 2024 general election manifesto is a step in the right direction, but actions must follow words, and I feel they have taken many steps backwards from that statement and are going against this! We may not be feeling the issue just yet, however it won't be long. Actions need to be taken now. In my conversations with clients and candidates, the recurring theme is the struggle to adapt to forever-changing policies and economic pressures. The resilience of our farmers is incredible, but they cannot do it alone. It's important for stakeholders at all levels to collaborate and support the backbone of our food system. Every aspect of the food supply chain is affected by this, therefore, strength is in numbers, and those in the industry must work together, not against each other.If you're facing challenges in the agricultural sector or wish to discuss these issues further, please don't hesitate to reach out. Let's work together to ensure a stable and secure food future for the UK.Contact me, Ryan Bainborough

We’re excited to launch the MorePeople 2025 Salary & Benefits Survey – and we want to hear from you! Every other year, we run this survey to get a clearer picture of what's really going on in the world of salaries, benefits and working life across the fresh produce, food manufacturing, horticulture and agriculture sectors. Yes, we’ll be looking at salary benchmarks, pay reviews and remote working trends – but this isn’t just about the numbers. We want to understand what really matters to people in their jobs. What benefits do employees actually want – and which ones are just fluff? How important is job satisfaction compared to salary? What role does culture, flexibility, and learning new skills play in someone’s decision to stay or move on? This year’s survey will be our most comprehensive yet. We’re building on previous years by diving deeper into specific job functions and seniority levels, so we can provide more relevant and useful insights for both employers and employees. The final report will help businesses benchmark their offering and make more informed decisions when it comes to attracting and retaining talent, and it’ll give individuals a clearer view of where they stand in the market. Want to be part of it?Whether you're a farm manager, food technologist, agronomist, commercial director or anything in between – your input matters.Click here to take the surveyIt only takes a 5 minutes, and all responses are completely anonymous. Everyone who takes part will have access to the report via our website and will have the opportunity to be in a prize draw to win one of five £100 Amazon gift cards. Thanks in advance for sharing your insight – let’s shape the future of our industry together. ​

​Last month I ran a quick poll asking my network of professionals in garden retail what their biggest challenge is right now – what’s keeping them up at night? Over half of you—51%—said staff shortages. And honestly, that lines up with what I’ve been seeing and hearing across the industry. Garden centres are busy. Spring’s here, customers are out in force, and there’s a real buzz around gardening and outdoor projects. But behind the scenes, teams are stretched thin. There simply aren’t enough people on the ground—and even fewer with the kind of horticultural knowledge that customers are really after. It’s Not Just About Hiring More People (pardon the pun) The problem isn’t just numbers. It’s about finding the right people—those who actually know their stuff and can talk with confidence about plants, compost, and care. That kind of knowledge doesn’t just appear, and it’s getting harder to find. And for some businesses, even if they do find someone great, they just can’t afford to hire right now. National Insurance & Rising Costs Are Making It Worse As of April 2025, employer National Insurance rose from 13.8% to 15%, and the threshold is dropping. That’s a tough hit—especially for independents. Across the retail sector, it means billions in extra costs. For horticulture alone, the HTA estimates an extra £134 million in pressure. So now we’ve got a situation where garden centres need more people to keep up with demand—but rising costs are forcing them to freeze or cut hiring. It’s a lose-lose. The Bigger Picture Garden centres are more than just shops. They’re places where people go for advice, ideas, and a bit of calm. But when teams are short-staffed or burnt out, that experience starts to slip. I don’t have all the answers—but I do think it’s worth talking about. If you’re in garden retail, how are you handling the staffing challenge? Have you been able to bring in the right people? Or are you having to compromise just to stay afloat? Would really like to hear your take—especially if you were one of the 51%.