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Alec LochoreI’m really excited about today’s ‘a few minutes with…’, all about Alec Lochore. Alec is well known in eventing circles and has an incredible CV. He’s also one of the speakers at this year’s Farm Business Innovation Show.

In addition to running Alec Lochore Event & Equestrian Consultancy and Musketeer Event Management (the company responsible for Burnham Market International and Houghton International, amongst others), Alec has held many notable positions in the sport. But he can tell the story much better…

Tell us a bit about Alex Lochore Event & Equestrian Consultancy and Musketeer Event Management?

A.L.E.C is an Event and Equestrian Consultancy business which over the past 15 years has been involved with the design and running of sporting events. Predominantly but not exclusively equestrian projects and covering a complete spectrum of the different levels from grass roots through to Olympic Games.

As an equestrian consultant, I look at the design, strategic and operational planning and the management and delivery of projects and events from the small-scale farm diversification to the large scale international facilities focusing on maximising efficiency and profitability.

As well as working as a consultant, Musketeer Event Management was established in 2001 running equestrian events up and down the country including Houghton International, Burnham Market International, Whitfield Horse Trials and Cholmondeley Castle Horse Trials.

What makes your business different to others?

When working with clients both as a consultant and through Musketeer, I always try to maintain a ‘yes’ and a ‘can do’ policy. Working with and to the client’s objectives, being reactive in trying to pippa funnellfind solutions to any problem encountered in order to reach the end goal. To have an idea, go for it and make it happen.

What area of business are you talking about at the Farm Business Innovation Show and why?

At the Farm Business Innovation Show I am going to be examining the opportunities available in the diversification into equestrian events. Making the right choice in the type of enterprise and then turning the plan into a reality. I am also going to look at the different types of opportunities and the benefits they can bring as well as the possible threats that might have to be encountered.

When are you speaking and why should people come along and listen?

I feel that the equestrian events market has a growing potential, and is a good opportunity for land owners to diversify into a different area of business that they might not have considered. My intention would also be to stimulate investigation and provide some context and understanding for those people who are interested in an area of diversification which can be very complementary and work well running alongside already established farming business and other area of rural land management.

 

Who inspires you?

I am inspired not by a particular person but sports men and woman who have achieved global success on the world stage.  My belief is that no matter what sport or what the athlete’s background, whether rich or poor, a man or a woman, and with no consideration for ethnicity or religion, this person has achieved through the grit, determination, sacrifice, hard work and huge strength of character to persevere through the tough times in order to reach success.

You can find out more about Alec and hear his take on the above at the Farm Business Innovation Show

To find out more about Alec Lochore, his consultancy or Musketeer Event Management, follow the links below…

Musketeer Event Management website

Musketeer Twitter

Musketeer Facebook

Musketeer Instagram

Alec Lochore Event & Equestrian Consultancy website

Alec Lochore Twitter

Alec Lochore Facebook

 

Did you miss last week’s Farm Business Innovation Show themed ‘a few minutes with…’? Read about Emma Collison from Moor View Alpacas and Debbie North from the Outdoor Guide.

Following my blog on Wednesday, you’ll know that I’m very excited to be on the marketing panel of the Farm Business Innovation Show next month. What you might not realise is the diversity of the amazing speakers and stands you’ll find there, so I’m using this week’s ‘a few minutes with…’ to introduce you to two of them. And if you’d like to see them in person, make sure you attend the Farm Business Innovation Show!

A few minutes with… Debbie North – The Outdoor Guide

More than one in six people in England and Wales have an ‘activity limiting’ health problem or disability. British and international visitors from this market segment currently spend over £3 on tourism trips in England each year. In short, improving accessibility could improve your business.

Debbie North and Julia BradburyTell us about your business…

I run the access part of The Outdoor Guide with Julia Bradbury – an online resource relating to everything to do with walking and the outdoors. I am responsible for developing the access and mobility section, promoting walks with wheelchairs. Our aim is to encourage people to get outdoors.

What makes your business different to others?

The Outdoor Guide totally embraces accessibility to provide inclusivity in tourism.

What area of business are you talking about at the Farm Business Innovation Show and why?

I am speaking about access to the countryside, sharing my own experiences and hopefully I will be opening up people’s creativity on how they could promote wheelchair access into their businesses. I use a range of all -terrain wheelchairs and speak about how different chairs can offer different experiences. Like walking boots, it is not one size fit all. Wheels are my boots and there are different chairs for different activities. I will be showing the types of adventures people can have in different wheelchairs.

Why should people come along and listen to you at the Farm Business Innovation Show?

I have a wealth of experience in accessing the countryside. I will be showing other business how accessibility Debbie North - The Outdoor Guidecan be incorporated into their business to encourage more disabled visitors.

Who inspires you?

I have a huge respect for Alfred Wainwright.

Where can we find you online?

www.theoutdoorguide.com

Twitter: @AccessTOG

Facebook @AccessTOG

A few minutes with… Emma Collison – Moor View Alpacas

Tell us a bit about your business 
Emma Collison - Moor View AlpacasMoor View Alpacas rears alpacas for their yarn for our knitwear brand Moor Baby, and for their meat. We also rear rare breed Valais blacknose sheep.
We have a varied and unique style of business which promotes grow your own and local business.
What makes you business different to others?
We are a very diverse business. What makes us different is our ability to find new and unique ideas and push the boundaries, being at the forefront of the industry, making new and exciting movements in the farming industry.
What area of business are you talking about at the Farm Business Innovation Show and why?
I will be talking about diversification and how to get your idea from paper to launch and how to get your product out there.
When are you speaking at the Farm Business Innovation Show and why should people come along and listen?
I am speaking at 1.15pm on Wednesday the 8th. It will be an interesting seminar about USP and business and, if nothing else, some super cute photos on my power point.
Do you have any business blogs you follow or any podcasts you listen to?
I am quite interested in Lord Sugar and Deborah Meaden so follow them and some of there advice. I don’t really have time to read blogs or listen to podcasts – I do run a farm!
Emma Collison - Moor BabyWho inspires you?
I don’t get inspired generally by people. But what pushes me to succeed is people who tell me I can’t do it. I like a challenge and I use the negative people to help me succeed, turning it into positives.
Where can we find out more about you and your business

Farm Business Innovation ShowThis week’s Wisdom Wednesday post is a teeny bit different. It’s not so much about the wisdom I’m giving in this post, but more where I’ll be sharing tips and tricks in person, and where you can get a lot more knowledge too. The Farm Business Innovation Show.

What’s the Farm Business Innovation Show?

I’m d-flipping-lighted to be able to share that I am on the marketing panel discussion at the Farm Business Innovation Show. This event, which is held at the NEC on November 8th and 9th, is brilliant for all rural businesses including equestrian, and also takes in glamping, country homes and a few other bits and bobs too. It’s a lovely event – it’s FREE to attend (visit the Farm Business Innovation Show website to find out more), and it’s easy to get to as, well, even I can find the NEC!

Last year I attended the event to watch my friend, client and all round legend, Emma Warren, speak as part of the glamping panel discussion. Emma owns and runs award winning glampsite Dimpsey. Dimpsey is a beautiful shepherd’s hut, based in the Blackdown Hills of Somerset. Build by Blackdown Shepherd Huts, it’s a truly stunning example of what glamping could and should be. In fact, Emma and her lovely husband Andrew have won awards for Dimpsey. But I digress – you can find out more about Dimpsey, its wood fired hot tub (oh yes!) and other facilities on their website. Now. Back to the show…

Why is the Farm Business Innovation Show different?

I have attended a number of events, and a number of trade events too, and each has its own charm. The Farm Business Innovation Show was unlike any other event I have attended, and I really, really liked it. The diversity across the exhibitors was really interesting. One minute I was chatting to the lovely people at The Equestrian Index, then I walked into the Tipi Theatre and Anne Clark from Connected Thinking was giving a talk to a packed tipi full of people. A little further along there was a wooden shepherd’s hut, then there was a stand with alpacas (and they had real ones there), topiary, outdoor play equipment for children, I had a chat with Tally from the fabulous Open Air Magazine. It’s so diverse. And that is just the tip of the Farm Business Innovation Show iceberg.

And this year…

If you’re coming to the Farm Business Innovation Show on Thursday, I’ll be chattering away as part of the marketing panel discussion. I’m really, really delighted to be working with the organisers and rest of the panel for this, and can’t wait to see what questions the assembled group throw at us.

Should you come along to the Farm Business Innovation Show?

If you’re connected with the country and equestrian world in any way, then I would say yes. It’s a really lovely event – I found it quite relaxed (in that there was plenty of space and the layout meant it didn’t feel crowded) and utterly fascinating. They have an excellent timetable of speakers for the two days, there are some great panel discussions, lots of lovely exhibitors and, did I mention it’s free to attend? Yep. I think you pay for parking but there’s no entry fee to enter the show. So you have very little to lose by coming along and a LOT to gain!

Find out more and get your free Farm Business Innovation Show Tickets here.

And there’s more…

Keep your eyes peeled for a new mini blog series all about some of the brilliant speakers. First blog goes live on Friday!