Meet the Team

Over the coming weeks we will be shining the spotlight on the next generation at Cefetra.

23 October 2020

Starters and graduates are embarking on new journeys at Cefetra and we welcome them to the exciting world of the Agricultural sector.

2020 has been a challenging time for the majority of businesses, but Cefetra has continued to maintain business and grow our team as we work through the midst of it all, supporting the supply of agricultural goods, grains and various raw materials.

We want to celebrate the young people in the Agricultural sector as they grow together. For some of our team it has been an even more challenging time as they have started a new job during a pandemic, but they have certainly adapted well! It’s an exciting period ahead for this latest fresh batch of Cefetra recruits!

Today we are introducing you to Will and Kirsty from our Farm Buying team.

Name: Will Lankfer (based in Norfolk)

Team: Farm Buying

What do you love most about your job?

Working in Agriculture, knowing that what we do is helping people around the world, there are not many industries that you can be of use and value in that way – without us, people wouldn’t be able to live the lives that they live now.

Five words that describe you.

Sociable, engaging, willing, hard-working, proud – I take pride in knowing what we do in the Agricultural sector in helping society, keeping it moving forward and making a massive difference – which is a great feeling.

Where did you join from (if from College or Uni what did you study?)

Harper Adams University, which is a renowned Farming Uni. – I studied Agri business, I then worked at Crisp Malt who are in fact a Cefetra customer.

What area are you working in at Cefetra?

Grain Buyer, speaking with farmers about markets and prices, marketing strategies for their grain, what they’ve got to sell this year, many farmers look 2 years ahead as they’ve got a rough idea of what they’re producing – it’s not just about selling what they have now, it’s looking ahead for future years as well and building long-lasting relationships with farmers.

What are your aspirations?

I intend to increase the number of people that I speak to now, I want to increase the tonnages bought, and be of value to farmers. It helps that Cefetra has become an industry leader as farmers come to us for the most up-to-date information and rely on us.  You find that you become a big part of decision-making on the farm and become part of the conversation with farmers earlier on down the lines – really helping them on a deeper level and not just asking the price of their products on the day and what support they need today, you’re asking a few months down the line on the market needs that they require advice on.

How have you got on with working from home in 2020?

The business has adapted well to working from home, no one expected it to happen obviously, but now it’s become the norm. Before we were working in a lot of rural locations and out in the field so it’s a big change to adapt to work from home and create the right surroundings for yourself. 

What’s it like to work at Cefetra – how would you describe the work culture?

It’s a collaborative culture and we have systems in place to ensure that we’re talking with everyone and talking with every part of the country, which helps to provide an overall picture of the UK to farmers, and what’s happening across the country, as farmers are affected by all sides of the UK. For instance  a farmer down South could have issues that will be directly affected by what’s happening in the Agricultural sector up north too.

Name: Kirsty Warnock (based in Scotland)

Team: Farm Buying

What do you love most about your job?

I love the variety that the job offers, including the variety of people you speak with daily. The thrill of the trade, if you manage to get trade off farmers it’s a rewarding feeling, there is a great work ethos at Cefetra, the company has good morals, and a great future ahead.

Five words that describe you.

Enthusiastic, competitive, honest, inquisitive and outgoing.

Where did you join from (if from College or Uni what did you study?)

Studied Rural Business Management with agriculture at SRUC in Edinburgh. My job prior to Cefetra was at a local Machinery Ring.

What area are you working in at Cefetra?

Farm buyer for Scotland, buying grain and oil seeds and pulse seeds from farmers, contacting them and seeing how they’re getting on, see what they’re up to, building relationships. So that they trust you as well, you have to remember that it’s their bread and butter that you’re dealing with in your hands and they’re relying on you.

What are your aspirations?

To do the best job that I can and whatever I turn my hand to, I want to stay in this field, and generally do the best that I can. I want to be the best that I can be and thrive in whatever direction that the job takes me. 

How have you got on with working from home in 2020?

It’s been great as our job is so flexible you can do my job from whatever location as long as you have decent WiFi and a phone – which is harder than you’d think living in the Countryside! We have a strong community at Cefetra and as a Farm Buyer, we all chat together in this sector of the business, on group chats and regular meetings – this gives us the chance to bounce ideas off each other still, even if we can’t always be together in person which is obviously a lot harder right now!

What’s it like to work at Cefetra how would you describe the work culture?

Great company to work for one of the best companies that I’ve worked for in my life so far.