BNP Paribas Real Estate has announced that Jonathan (Jonty) Armitage has been appointed as the new head of farming within its Strutt & Parker rural business.
With over 30 years’ experience in farming, rural business and property, Armitage joins Strutt & Parker from his own agricultural consultancy, Armitage Agri.
Prior to setting up his consultancy, Armitage worked for a national property consultancy first as head of farm management and then as head of agribusiness – delivering management and advisory services to farmers, rural landowners and associated businesses in the food supply chain.
Armitage’s appointment marks a return to the Strutt & Parker business as he was head of farm management for the East Midlands for over 14 years until 2011.
In that role he built up a successful team providing business management and consultancy to a diverse range of clients and specialising in the management of farm and rural estate businesses. He will operate from the Stamford office.
‘I am excited to be returning to Strutt & Parker’
Of the appointment, Jonty Armitage, head of farming at Strutt & Parker commented:
“I am excited to be returning to Strutt & Parker’s rural team at a time when the agricultural sector is facing a period of rapid change.
The farming industry has been challenged to feed the nation with a lighter environmental footprint and I am looking forward to helping clients navigate that journey, focusing on ways to deliver profits and build resilience to ensure a more sustainable future.
Rhodri Thomas, senior director at Strutt & Parker and incoming head of rural said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Jonty back to Strutt & Parker to lead the Farming Business.
“He will bring fresh thinking at a time when clients are facing significant changes in policy and regulation, and are looking for new ideas to help them adapt and grow.
Jonty has a proven track record in leading strategic change within farming businesses, providing advice and support on a wide range of issues including the impact of policy changes, succession planning, business restructuring and accessing rural subsidies and grants.
“He also has invaluable experience in advising farmers on environmental management to deliver improvements to natural capital in the context of profitable farming enterprises.
“He has a wealth of knowledge and understanding which means he is perfectly placed to help lead this important part of the business.”
Armitage will join a highly experienced leadership team within the Strutt & Parker rural business line, which has been strengthened by the recent appointments of Edward Daniels as head of forestry, managing the UK-wide John Clegg & Co team; Simon Hart as head of forestry in Scotland; and Karl McConville as deputy head of rural.
