HighGround

This episode features Ollie Pemberton, a former infantry platoon commander who now works as a farm manager for Velcourt. After leaving the military, Ollie explored several careers—including teaching mathematics and running a furniture factory in Vietnam—before studying agriculture at the Royal Agricultural University.

A chance encounter with Velcourt at a recruitment fair led him into farm management. Ollie explains that farm managers oversee day‑to‑day operations and long‑term strategy. They may be responsible for arable production, livestock, and estate management, and they lead teams of field workers, agronomists and specialistsnationaltrustjobs.org.uk.

Duties can include planning developments, securing funding, liaising with tenants and landowners, ensuring health and safety, and supervising staff and volunteerssuccessatschool.org. The role requires deep knowledge of rural and conservation issues, strong management and communication skills, numeracy and record‑keepingsuccessatschool.org, and the ability to juggle practical work (such as operating machinery) with finance and people management.

Ollie also discusses agri‑environment schemes and how changing climate and subsidy reforms are reshaping farming. He candidly notes that salaries for farm managers range from £22,000 to £34,000 depending on responsibility and experiencesuccessatschool.org but emphasises that the lifestyle, job satisfaction and community make it worthwhile.

00:00 Intro & series overview – Tom & Jamie set the scene and explain the purpose of the HighGround podcast

.02:01 Meet Ollie – Ollie Pemberton introduces himself and summarises his career in the infantry and subsequent roles.

05:00 Transition & early careers – Ollie describes moving from the Army to teaching, running a furniture factory in Vietnam, and then studying at the Royal Agricultural University.

10:00 Discovering farm management – Ollie meets Velcourt at a recruitment fair, learns about farm management and decides to pursue it.

14:00 What farm managers do – Detailed discussion of a farm manager’s responsibilities (business planning, team leadership, crop management, livestock, estate diversification).

20:00 Transferable skills – The team talk about military skills (leadership, resilience, planning) that help in farm management.

24:00 Estate details & daily work – Ollie talks about managing a 6 500‑acre estate near Aylesbury, with arable crops, shorthorn cattle and sheep.

28:00 Agri‑environment schemes & diversification – Insight into environmental land management, regenerative practices and estate diversification projects.

31:00 Salary, lifestyle & work–life balance – Overview of typical farm‑manager salaries and why lifestyle matters more to many people.

35:00 Advice to service‑leavers – Ollie wraps up with guidance on how to explore farming roles, the importance of volunteering/harvest jobs, and networking.

1. Transition & transferable skills: Ollie’s background in the infantry taught him leadership, planning and adaptability—skills that translate well to managing a farm. He also benefited from teaching and a stint managing a furniture factory, which broadened his problem‑solving and people‑management experience.

What do farm managers do?

1. Farm managers are responsible for strategic direction and day‑to‑day operations, ensuring land is productive and sustainablenationaltrustjobs.org.uk. They plan planting and grazing, manage budgets, recruit and supervise staff, liaise with landowners and tenants, oversee machinery and livestock, and comply with regulationssuccessatschool.org. They also design and implement agri‑environment schemes to enhance biodiversity and soil health.
2. Skills required: The role demands a wide skill set: knowledge of rural/conservation issues; budgeting and business management; strong interpersonal and communication skills; numeracy and record‑keepingsuccessatschool.org; and practical mechanical/field skills. Military experience in leadership, logistics and working under pressure can give service‑leavers a strong start.
3. Training routes: Many farm managers come from farming backgrounds, but others enter via graduate diplomas (like Ollie), Velcourt’s trainee scheme, or by gaining practical experience on harvest placements. Volunteering on farms or taking entry‑level agricultural courses can help develop field skills.
4. Estate vs. farm management: Ollie manages a 6 500‑acre estate near Aylesbury that includes arable crops, 150 English Shorthorn cattle and 1 200 sheep. His responsibilities cover both agricultural operations and estate diversification (brewery, commercial properties). Estates often include tenants and community projects, so managers must balance financial performance with landscape and heritage.
5. Salary & lifestyle: Countryside and farm managers typically earn around £22 000–£34 000successatschool.org, with some senior roles going higher. Accommodation is often provided, and salaries can be supplemented through diversification projects. Work is seasonal and sometimes weather‑dependent, but offers variety, autonomy and strong community ties.
6. Advice to service‑leavers: Explore the land‑based sector through short harvest jobs or volunteering. Take advantage of training schemes and networking events such as agricultural shows or organisations (e.g., Farmers’ Club). Consider applying your military leadership and teamwork experience to management roles in farming. “Be curious, ask questions and get your hands dirty,” Ollie says.

If you found value in this episode, please consider sharing it with fellow service‑leavers or reservists and rate the HighGround podcast in your podcast app. For more information about land‑based career opportunities, visit highground‑uk.org.

In this episode of the HighGround podcast, hosts Tom and Jamie talk with Martin, a former RAF supplier who spent much of his 23‑year career in tactical logistics roles and as a fleet manager. Seeking an outdoor career after years behind a desk, Martin began helping on a local farm and rediscovered his love of engineering.

A HighGround Rural Week at Askham Bryan College opened his eyes to the demand for agricultural technicians, and he went on to join a John Deere dealership. Today he is a mobile agricultural technician, travelling across the Cotswolds, Devon and Wales to repair and maintain equipment ranging from chainsaws and ATVs to 6‑Series tractors. The role involves diagnosing faults, dismantling and reassembling machines, performing routine maintenance and keeping recordsbigfuture.collegeboard.org.

Technicians need mechanical, customer‑service and electronics knowledgebigfuture.collegeboard.org and skills in repair, maintenance and troubleshootingbigfuture.collegeboard.org. Martin explains that most dealerships provide structured training; he completed a nine‑month “John Deere University” online programme while shadowing experienced engineers. Starting salaries for agricultural engineering technicians are about £23 000, rising to £38 000 for experienced staff nationalcareers.service.gov.uk, but earnings depend on qualifications and overtime.

He emphasises that ex‑service personnel’s punctuality, organisation, adaptability and ability to work in all weathers are highly valued in this sector.

00:00 Introduction – Tom and Jamie welcome listeners and introduce the HighGround podcast series for service‑leavers.

03:09 Meet Martin – Former RAF supplier explains his military career and decision to transition into agriculture after 23 years.

04:10 Finding the next step – Martin describes helping on a local farm, discovering HighGround via Instagram and attending a rural week where he saw agricultural engineering as a viable career.

07:00 What does an agricultural technician do? – Martin explains his role as a mobile technician: servicing everything from small chainsaws to large John Deere tractors; diagnosing faults; ordering parts; and working alone on farms. Farm equipment mechanics maintain, repair and overhaul tractors, harvesters and irrigation systems and record the work donebigfuture.collegeboard.org.

08:45 Training & qualifications – He outlines the nine‑month John Deere University programme covering mechanics, hydraulics and electronics, and stresses that hands‑on experience and mechanical aptitude are more important than formal qualifications. The National Careers Service notes that entry routes include university, college, apprenticeships or direct application and that agricultural engineering technicians can study diplomas or T Levels in land‑based technologynationalcareers.service.gov.uk.

11:49 Challenges & financial considerations – Martin discusses taking a pay cut and the cost of building a tool kit (£400+ for entry level). He now earns around £31 k plus bonuses; typical salaries range from £23 k for starters to £38 k for experienced techniciansnationalcareers.service.gov.uk.

13:23 Selling yourself & working conditions – Ex‑military skills such as punctuality, discipline and attention to detail are valued. Technicians often work outdoors in all weathers and may be on call during harvest. Dealers appreciate reliability and problem‑solving ability.

16:22 Engineer vs. technician & progression – Martin differentiates between technicians (who focus on diagnosis and repair) and engineers (who may have degrees or HNCs). Large dealerships offer career progression, further training and opportunities in GPS/digital technology.

17:22 Advice for service‑leavers – Martin encourages veterans to contact local dealerships, ask for work experience, consider volunteering on farms and leverage Armed Forces Covenant employers. He emphasises building a network, turning up in person and not being deterred by initial rejections.

23:56 Round‑up – Tom and Jamie summarise key lessons: the importance of work experience, the superpower of military discipline, and the longevity of roles that cannot easily be automated.

Martin served 23 years in the RAF as a supplier and logistician, including tactical logistics and fleet management roles. Ready for a change, he volunteered on a local farm and discovered a passion for machinery.

A HighGround Rural Week introduced him to agricultural engineering, leading him to join Tallis Amos Group, a John Deere dealership, as a mobile technician. Martin now services and repairs a wide range of machinery, from small chainsaws to large tractors, and advocates for more veterans to consider careers in agricultural mechanics.

1. What they do: Farm equipment mechanics maintain, repair and overhaul farm machinery such as tractors, harvesters and irrigation systemsbigfuture.collegeboard.org. They dismantle defective machines, reassemble them after repair, test operation and record detailsbigfuture.collegeboard.org.
2. Skills & knowledge: Technicians need mechanical knowledge of machines and tools, customer‑service skills for working with farmers, and an understanding of electronicsbigfuture.collegeboard.org. Essential skills include repairing, performing routine maintenance and troubleshootingbigfuture.collegeboard.org.
3. Training routes: Entry can be via apprenticeships, college diplomas or degrees in agricultural engineering; Level 2 or Level 3 diplomas in land‑based technology or T Levels in agriculture are optionsnationalcareers.service.gov.uk. Many dealerships offer in‑house training programmes.
4. Salary & hours: According to the National Careers Service, agricultural engineering technicians earn about £23 000–38 000 per yearnationalcareers.service.gov.uk and typically work 40–42 hours per week, sometimes including evenings, weekends and bank holidaysnationalcareers.service.gov.uk.
5. Work environment: Technicians may work in workshops, on farms or at client sitesnationalcareers.service.gov.uk. The job is physically demanding and often outdoors in all weathernationalcareers.service.gov.uk.

1. Network early: Use resettlement time to contact local dealerships and ask for unpaid work experience; employers often appreciate the initiative.
2. Build a basic tool kit: Expect to invest £400+ in tools, with additional purchases over time.
3. Leverage Armed Forces Covenant employers: Many agricultural dealerships are now signing the Covenant and actively seeking ex-service personnel.
4. Consider apprenticeships: Apprenticeships in land‑based service engineering provide structured training and a wage while you learnnationalcareers.service.gov.uk.
5. Apply your military skills: Reliability, punctuality, problem‑solving and the ability to work outdoors in all weathers are highly valued.

In this episode, Tom and Jamie talk with Josie, a National Trust countryside manager in North Devon. Josie’s career has been anything but straightforward: she left school after GCSEs, trained as a mechanic and served five years in the REME before embarking on higher education. With life experience but no A‑levels, she contacted universities directly, persuaded them to give her a chance and eventually worked her way up to a PhD.

Burnt out by academia, she turned to nature and began volunteering with the National Trust, living in a tent for six months while supporting herself with part‑time work. That led to an apprenticeship as a ranger and eventually to leadership. In her current role she leads a team of nine across a 2 700‑acre estate, balancing day‑to‑day estate management with large‑scale nature recovery projects.

Countryside managers are responsible for developing and managing landscapes, ensuring public access and conservationsuccessatschool.org; they must coordinate habitat restoration, oversee staff and volunteers, manage budgets and secure fundingsuccessatschool.org.

The National Trust notes that countryside managers provide strategic direction, leading teams to deliver landscape‑scale conservation while ensuring visitors enjoy their experiencenationaltrustjobs.org.uk. Salaries range from around £22 k to £34 ksuccessatschool.org. Josie advises service‑leavers to be persistent, seek volunteering opportunities and remember there are many routes into land‑based careers.

00:00 Introduction & podcast purpose: Tom and Jamie summarise the goal of creating an “evergreen” library of land‑based career stories.

02:50 Meeting Josie: She describes her varied background—from dropping out of school and working as a vehicle mechanic to joining the REME, and later pursuing higher education.

07:00 Choosing university without A‑levels: Josie explains how she negotiated entry to university, earned a psychology degree and later completed a PhD.

11:15 Leaving academia for the outdoors: Burnt out and seeking meaning, Josie emailed the National Trust and secured a volunteer placement, living in a tent and working for free to gain experience.

14:00 Ranger apprenticeship & career progression: Josie undertook the National Trust’s three‑year ranger apprenticeship, learning practical skills such as hedge‑laying, fencing and path maintenance. She later became an area ranger, managing conservation grazing and livestock.

17:45 Countryside manager role: Josie now leads a team of nine across a 2 700‑acre estate. Countryside managers are responsible for day‑to‑day estate management and the strategic delivery of landscape‑scale conservationnationaltrustjobs.org.uk. They oversee habitat restoration, monitor woodland safety, manage access, and engage visitors, whilst also ensuring conservation gains and public benefitnationaltrustjobs.org.uk.

24:30 Nature recovery projects: Josie discusses current initiatives such as planting 100 000 trees, restoring wetlands, and creating ecological corridors. She highlights the complexity of balancing nature conservation with public access and working with multiple landowners and agencies.

31:45 Transferable skills: Josie emphasises planning, packing and risk‑assessment skills honed in the military. Leadership, confidence under pressure and outdoor resilience help her to manage a team and adapt to unexpected challenges.

35:00 Advice for aspiring countryside managers: She urges service‑leavers to “be necky”—reach out directly to local National Trust, Wildlife Trust or RSPB teams, seek volunteer placements and gain hands‑on experience. The National Trust’s entry‑level roles include apprentice ranger, assistant ranger and rangernationaltrustjobs.org.uk.

38:00 Qualifications & pay: While degrees in countryside management or environmental science are common, experience and volunteering can be equally valuable. Countryside managers earn roughly £22 k–£34 k, depending on responsibility and employer successatschool.org. Entry routes include degrees, higher apprenticeships and working up from lower‑level postssuccessatschool.org. Josie underscores that the work isn’t highly paid, but it offers deep personal fulfilment.

Josie served five years in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) before pursuing academic studies. She completed a psychology degree and a PhD but chose a more practical life, volunteering with the National Trust and then training as a ranger through its three‑year academy programme.

Josie now manages the 2 700‑acre Arlington Estate in North Devon. Her work spans woodland management, conservation grazing, wetland restoration and tree‑planting projects. She leads a team of nine staff and numerous volunteers, delivering nature recovery initiatives and enhancing public access to the countryside. Her passion is creating landscapes where wildlife and people thrive.

1. Responsibilities: Countryside managers develop, maintain and manage areas such as parks, nature reserves, woodlands and access networkssuccessatschool.org. Tasks include conserving habitats, overseeing staff and volunteers, planning public access and managing budgets, grants and health and safetysuccessatschool.org. The National Trust emphasises landscape‑scale conservation and visitor engagementnationaltrustjobs.org.uk.
2. Entry routes: Many roles require a relevant degree or higher national diploma in land management or environmental sciencesuccessatschool.org, but employers also recruit through higher apprenticeships or progression from ranger rolesnationaltrustjobs.org.uksuccessatschool.org. Volunteer experience in conservation work is highly valuedsuccessatschool.org.
3. Salary & hours: Salaries typically range from £22 000 to £34 000successatschool.org, with 39–41‑hour weeks and occasional early starts or weekend worksuccessatschool.org.
4. Skills: Countryside managers need strong knowledge of rural and conservation issues, excellent management and communication skills, budgeting ability and confidence working with the publicsuccessatschool.org.

1. National Trust jobs portal – Explore countryside roles and apprenticeships: nationaltrustjobs.org.uk.
2. Environmentjob.co.uk and Countryside Jobs Service – Listings for ranger and conservation postssuccessatschool.org.
3. HighGround Rural Weeks – Intensive courses that introduce service‑leavers to land‑based careers, including ranger and conservation work.
4. Volunteering organisations – Contact local National Trust, Wildlife Trust or RSPB teams to gain hands‑on experience.

Share this episode with fellow service‑leavers, reservists and nature enthusiasts, and find more resources at highground-uk.org.

HighGround chats with Jamie, a former Royal Corps of Signals soldier who left the Army after 22 years and built a second career as an arborist. Unsure of his next steps, Jamie attended a HighGround Rural Week, which introduced him to the breadth of land‑based careers. He discovered arboriculture—an industry that encompasses tree planting, pruning, felling, habitat management and tree science.

Training is essential: standard entry‑level qualifications include certificates in chainsaw maintenance and cross‑cutting, felling trees up to 380 mm and climbing and aerial rescuebali.org.uk. Tree surgeons typically start on salaries around £25 k and experienced arborists can earn £35 knationalcareers.service.gov.uk.

The work is physically demanding: arborists must be comfortable working at height and maintain fitness and concentrationnationalcareers.service.gov.uk. Chainsaws are dangerous tools—HSE reports that five deaths and many serious injuries have occurred in forestry and arboriculture from chainsaw contact; operators must be trained, competent and wear protective clothinghse.gov.uk.

Jamie explains how he built his own business, starting with any job he could find and gradually specialising in hedge‑laying, habitat work and providing traffic management for other tree teams. He highlights the importance of perseverance, networking and a willingness to invest in high‑quality equipment.

Despite setbacks and injuries, Jamie loves working outdoors, values the adrenaline of climbing and felling, and enjoys seeing the immediate impact of his work—especially when reviving traditional skills like hedge‑laying, which creates living windbreaks and wildlife havens.

00:00 Introduction: Tom & Jamie recap the podcast’s purpose – creating a library of land‑based career insights. They introduce Jamie, an ex‑Royal Signals soldier turned arborist.

03:00 Military background & Rural Week: Jamie explains his farming upbringing, service career and desire to work outdoors. He describes attending a HighGround Rural Week, which opened his eyes to arboriculture.

07:00 What is arboriculture? The hosts discuss the sector—from forestry and commercial tree work to planting and tree science. Jamie outlines the basic qualifications, including chainsaw maintenance and cross‑cutting, small and medium tree felling, tree climbing and aerial rescuebali.org.uk.

11:30 Training, risk & fitness: Jamie stresses that chainsaw work is dangerous: HSE notes five recent deaths and many serious injuries in forestry and arboriculturehse.gov.uk, so proper training and personal protective equipment are mandatoryhse.gov.uk. Arborists need to be physically fit, confident working at height and able to stay calmnationalcareers.service.gov.uk.

16:00 Finding work & gaining experience: Jamie explains how hard it can be to get work experience because companies are cautious about safety, but he encourages persistence. He initially did gardening and general ground‑work to gain skills before moving into tree work.

20:00 Starting a business: Jamie describes setting up his own company: starting with second‑hand equipment, reinvesting to buy better kit, and leveraging his military discipline—punctuality, equipment care and risk assessment—to build a reputation. He emphasises that arboriculture tools are costly; chainsaws, protective clothing and chippers can run to tens of thousands of pounds.

24:00 Diversification & hedgelaying: Jamie talks about adding services such as traffic management, hedge‑laying and tree inspection. Traditional hedge‑laying has ecological benefits; a well‑laid hedge forms a windbreak, is stock‑proof and provides habitat for numerous birds and insects (as explained by conservationistshse.gov.uk).

28:30 Challenges & rewards: The team discuss injuries, financial pressures and the long hours needed to make a self‑employed business work. Jamie highlights the joy of working outdoors, the adrenaline of climbing and felling, and the satisfaction of running a tight-knit team. He advises service‑leavers to persevere, network, and be ready to start small and build up.

34:18 Final advice: Jamie encourages veterans to attend a Rural Week, explore the variety of land‑based careers and remember that self-employment requires hard work, honesty and a willingness to learn from mistakes.

Jamie, a former Royal Signals soldier from Cornwall, served 22 years in the British Army before retraining as an arborist. He completed a suite of chainsaw, felling and climbing qualifications and briefly considered utility arboriculture before deciding to build his own business. Since launching his company in 2017 he has diversified into hedge‑laying, habitat management, traffic management and training courses. Jamie returns to HighGround’s Rural Weeks as a tutor, offering service‑leavers practical insights and mentoring.

1. Training & qualifications: Entry‑level arborists usually start with a Level 2 Award in chainsaw maintenance and cross‑cutting and a Level 2 Award in felling trees up to 380 mmbali.org.uk. Additional certificates cover tree climbing and aerial rescuebali.org.uk, felling large trees and dealing with wind‑blown or uprooted treesbali.org.uk. Qualifications must be refreshed every five years and it’s the employer’s responsibility to ensure workers are competentbali.org.uk.
2. Safety: Chainsaws are dangerous; inadequate training has led to fatalities and serious injurieshse.gov.uk. Operators must be trained, competent, physically fit and wear chainsaw‑protective clothinghse.gov.uk.
3. Skills needed: Tree surgeons need physical fitness, coordination, attention to detail, and the ability to work at height and remain calmnationalcareers.service.gov.uk.
4. Typical salary: Tree surgeons in the UK earn roughly £25 k to £35 k per yearnationalcareers.service.gov.uk. Salaries may increase with experience; self‑employed arborists’ earnings vary depending on workload and diversification.
5. Volunteering & apprenticeships: People interested in arboriculture can start as groundworkers and gain experience through training providers or volunteering with organisations such as The Tree Council, Forestry England and the Woodland Trustnationalcareers.service.gov.uk.

1. Arboricultural Association – professional body offering guidance, training and networking: trees.org.uk.
2. Forestry Industry Safety Accord (FISA) – safety resources for working with chainsaws: ukfisa.com.
3. BALI (British Association of Landscape Industries) – lists recognised arborist qualificationsbali.org.uk.
4. National Careers Service – advice on becoming a tree surgeon, including salary and training optionsnationalcareers.service.gov.uk.
5. HighGround – learn more about Rural Weeks and support programmes at highground‑uk.org.

HighGround speaks with Rob Honan, a former Worcestershire & Sherwood Foresters officer who now runs the 4 000‑acre Ascott Estate in Buckinghamshire. Rob describes his journey from the Army into estate management, explaining that many estates encompass a mix of arable and livestock farming, residential and commercial properties, sporting ventures and tourismedenprivatestaff.com.

Estate managers are responsible for planning and overseeing these activities; they direct staff, oversee agriculture, manage maintenance and budgets, liaise with government agencies (DEFRA and the Rural Payments Agency) and work with specialists such as agronomists and vetsedenprivatestaff.com.

The role is hands‑on, requiring flexibility, problem‑solving and often living on siteedenprivatestaff.com. Rob explains that there is no “normal day” and notes parallels with military leadership—the ability to adapt when “no plan survives contact” is critical. They discuss career routes, highlighting that while many estate managers hold formal qualifications in land management or farmingedenprivatestaff.com, experience and transferrable skills from the forces can be just as valuable.

Salaries vary widely: Scottish estate managers start around £20 k and experienced managers on large estates can earn £50 k or moreplanitplus.net. Rob urges service‑leavers to network, seek work‑experience on estates and consider the broad range of rural roles, from maintenance and heritage gardening to forestry and property management.

00:00 Introduction: Tom & Jamie explain how the podcast series offers an “evergreen” library of land‑based career insights.

02:05 Meet Rob Honan: Former infantry officer explains his move from the Army into estate management and the importance of using your network.

04:43 What is an estate? Rob outlines Ascott’s 4 000 acres of arable fields, residential properties, gardens, tourism (Ascott House & gardens attract ~50 000 visitors per year) and community relations.

06:36 Transferable skills: Adaptability, problem‑solving and people management learnt in the military are invaluable for managing diverse estate operations.

09:08 Roles & activities on an estate: Estates may include property portfolios, commercial shoots, farming, woodland, heritage gardens and tenanted farmsedenprivatestaff.com. Estate managers oversee maintenance, agriculture, budgets, events, external bodies and specialist advisorsedenprivatestaff.com. Rob explains how Ascott employs gardeners, farm contractors, rangers, maintenance staff and visitor‑service teams.

12:40 Challenges & rewards: Balancing profitability with conservation and community relations; climate change and ESG targets; maintaining viability while preserving heritage. Rob likens the role’s unpredictability to a military operation.

15:30 Qualifications & experience: Some estate managers study land management or farming at institutions such as Harper Adams or the Royal Agricultural Universityedenprivatestaff.com. However, Rob stresses that service‑leavers can enter via assistant roles and gain experience on the job.

19:00 Salary & package: Starting salaries for estate managers in Scotland are around £20 k, rising to £25–35 k; experienced managers on large estates can earn £50 k or more and may receive rent‑free accommodationplanitplus.net. Pay varies by estate size and responsibilities.

22:40 Entry routes & advice: Rob recommends contacting rural recruitment firms (e.g., CAAV job board, Eden Private Staff), local CLA offices and individual estates. Volunteering during resettlement and inviting “coffee chats” can open doors.

26:30 HighGround’s impact: Rob praises HighGround’s Rural Weeks for showing service‑leavers the breadth of rural careers. He notes the estate sector needs more people and encourages employers to see the value of veterans’ discipline, adaptability and leadership.

30:20 Final reflections: The group discusses the sector’s resilience amid bad press, the need for advocacy around the Armed Forces Covenant, and how estates can benefit from the values and skills of ex‑service personnel.

Rob Honan commissioned into the Worcestershire & Sherwood Foresters in 2000 and served as an infantry officer until 2007. After leaving the Army he retrained as a chartered surveyor, gaining experience with commercial property firms before moving into rural estate management.

As Estate Manager for the 4 000‑acre Ascott Estate, Rob oversees arable farming, residential and commercial properties, heritage gardens, tourism, conservation, film licences and more. He sits on HighGround’s Advisory Board and regularly speaks to service‑leavers, offering “coffee dates” and mentoring. Connect with Rob via LinkedIn or learn more about Ascott Estate at ascottestate.co.uk.

1. Management & planning: Run the estate’s arable, livestock or mixed farming, plus shoots, woodland and tourismedenprivatestaff.com.
2. Staff & contractors: Recruit, direct and coordinate estate staff, seasonal workers and contractorsedenprivatestaff.com.
3. Maintenance & improvements: Oversee upkeep of buildings, farmland, woodlands, drainage and roadsplanitplus.net; manage renovations and new developments.
4. Agricultural & environmental compliance: Liaise with DEFRA/RPA, apply for grants and subsidies and monitor conservation issuesedenprivatestaff.com.
5. Property & business management: Manage tenancies and leases; collect rents; plan diversification projects such as holiday lets or eventsplanitplus.net.
6. Financial management: Prepare budgets, oversee accounts, handle insurance and taxation, and ensure the estate is profitableedenprivatestaff.com.

1. RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) – Professional body providing information on rural property and qualifications.
2. CAAV (Central Association of Agricultural Valuers) – Job board and professional network.
3. Harper Adams University & Royal Agricultural University – Institutions offering degrees and postgraduate courses in rural land and estate managementedenprivatestaff.com.
4. HighGround – Learn about Rural Weeks and support for service‑leavers at highground‑uk.org.

This episode of the HighGround podcast features Adam Chant, a former Royal Corps of Signals electronic‑warfare specialist who transitioned to a rural portfolio career centred on deer management. After 25 years in the Army, Adam was ready for a change and discovered HighGround via a segment on BBC’s Countryfile.

He enrolled on one of the charity’s residential Rural Week courses at Bicton College, finding the broad overview of land‑based careers and local networking invaluable. Already passionate about venison as a sustainable, ethical food source, he pursued formal qualifications through the British Deer Society, passing the Deer Stalking Certificate 1 and 2 before volunteering with Defence Deer Management.

Adam explains that deer populations in the UK have quadrupled since the 1970s, rising from about 450,000 to over 2 millionwoodlands.co.uk; unchecked browsing damages young trees and hampers woodland regenerationwoodlands.co.uk. Deer managers therefore play a vital role in balancing wildlife and land‑management objectives—conducting surveys, culling ethically, monitoring impacts and liaising with landowners.

Adam discusses different routes into the profession (estate keeper, wildlife ranger, contractor) and revenue models (paid culls, venison sales, guided stalks), emphasising that most start as part of a portfolio career. He shares candid advice on financial planning, community engagement and the therapeutic benefits of working outdoors.

For Adam, learning multiple skills from firefighting to renovating his house—provides flexibility and resilience. The episode closes with tips on building local trust, volunteering during resettlement and talking openly with family about the realities of rural living.

00:00 Intro & series overview: Tom & Jamie recap the purpose of HighGround’s podcast series—creating an ever‑expanding library of land‑based career stories for service‑leavers and veterans.

02:05 Meet Adam Chant: A 25‑year veteran who served in electronic warfare and signals intelligence describes his background and reasons for leaving the Army to spend more time with his family.

03:58 Discovery of HighGround: Adam recalls seeing HighGround on Countryfile and later attending a Rural Week at Bicton College. He praises the course’s breadth—covering everything from tech innovations and conservation to small‑scale farming—and its value in building a local network.

06:44 Why deer management? Growing up in a family of chefs, Adam was drawn to venison as an ethical, low‑impact meat. His introduction came via the Deer Stalking Certificate 1 course run by former serviceman Ben Heathauer.

08:55 What is deer management? Adam explains that modern deer management is about more than shooting: it involves population surveys, habitat impact assessments and selective culling to protect woodland and biodiversity. Over‑browsing by deer prevents natural regeneration and damages young trees, threatening small mammals and butterflieswoodlands.co.uk.

10:39 Why control deer? He notes that Britain’s deer population has grown from about 450 000 in the 1970s to an estimated over 2 millionwoodlands.co.uk, leading to an “unfavourable” level of herbivore damage in 40 % of forestswoodlands.co.uk. Without natural predators, deer have become a disease vector, a hazard to motorists and a barrier to woodland regeneration.

13:03 Career paths: Deer management can be part of estate gamekeeping, a ranger role with organisations such as Forestry England or a freelance/contractor service. Opportunities range from full‑time salaried posts to voluntary schemes (e.g., Defence Deer Management) and private agreements with local landowners.

17:49 Training & qualifications: Adam outlines the professional ladder: Deer Stalking Certificate 1 and 2; Deer Managers’ Qualification; and advanced courses through the British Deer Society (BDS). Experience gained through volunteering is essential.

19:58 Building a portfolio: To make deer management viable, many combine it with other roles—Adam is a reservist staff officer, a retained firefighter and a home renovator. He discusses different revenue streams: being paid per cull; charging for management plans and surveys; selling venison through authorised game dealers; or offering paid stalking/photography experiences.

24:28 Community & networking: Adam stresses the importance of integrating into your local area—joining village events, helping neighbours and building trust with farmers. Service‑leavers should volunteer during resettlement to gain experience and meet potential employers.

31:50 Mental health & nature: Working outdoors and contributing to ecosystem health has helped Adam’s mental wellbeing. Studies show spending time in nature can improve mood and reduce stresswebmd.com.

33:59 Financial planning & family: A portfolio career requires honest conversations with loved ones and a buffer for the transition period. Adam advises service‑leavers to plan how they will cover mortgage and bills during the first 6–12 months.

38:02 Wrap‑up: Adam recommends the British Deer Society’s Field Guide to British Deer for beginners and credits HighGround for providing the initial guidance and network that made his new career possible.

Adam Chant served for 25 years in the Royal Corps of Signals, rising from soldier to commissioned officer in electronic warfare and signals intelligence. Deciding to prioritise family life, he left the Army in 2023 and undertook HighGround’s Rural Week at Bicton College.

Adam completed the Deer Stalking Certificate 1 and 2 and volunteered with Defence Deer Management, gaining extensive experience managing deer on MOD land. He now works as an independent deer manager in Devon, balancing this with roles as an Army Reservist staff officer and a retained firefighter.

Adam is passionate about sustainable venison and uses a portfolio approach to support his family while living in the countryside. You can explore deer management resources and training at the British Deer Society (BDS) bds.org.uk and the Deer Initiative thedeerinitiative.co.uk.

1. Deer population & impact: Woodland blogs and government data suggest the UK deer population has grown from around 450 000 in the 1970s to over 2 million today, causing damage to young trees and limiting woodland regenerationwoodlands.co.uk. The National Forest Inventory reports that 40 % of British forests have unfavourable levels of herbivore damagewoodlands.co.uk.

Deer management organisations:

1. The Deer Initiative – Information and best‑practice guides for deer managers: thedeerinitiative.co.uk.
2. British Deer Society – Training courses (DSC 1 & DSC 2), deer‑management qualifications and membership: bds.org.uk.
3. Field Guide to British Deer – Pocket book recommended by Adam: available from the BDS shopwoodlands.co.uk.
4. Venison & sustainable food: Chef Mike Robinson advocates for wild venison and runs deer‑to‑plate experiences: mikerobinsonchef.com.
5. Mental health & nature: Spending time outdoors has been shown to improve mood, self‑esteem and concentration while reducing stresswebmd.com.
6. HighGround – Offers virtual and residential Rural Weeks for service‑leavers, focusing on land‑based careers; find out more at highground‑uk.org.

If Adam’s story has sparked your interest, share this episode with friends or colleagues who might benefit. Consider attending a HighGround Rural Week to explore land‑based careers and connect with organisations like the British Deer Society. If you’re a land manager or employer, reach out to HighGround to learn how veterans’ skills—discipline, adaptability and community spirit—can support your conservation or rural‑business goals.

In this episode, HighGround co‑hosts Tom Constable and Jamie Crisp explore entrepreneurial life in the land‑based sector through the story of Rob Palmer, a former RAF weapons‑systems engineer and Royal Engineer officer who now leads a biochar start‑up.

Rob candidly recounts his meandering journey: after dropping out of university and joining the RAF, he saw his Nimrod fleet cancelled on the day of his final exam. He transferred to the Army via Sandhurst, serving in bomb disposal, airborne engineering and training roles before deciding to leave the forces.

Rob initially pursued “safe” corporate roles but, through networking and never turning down a coffee, he met former colleagues who introduced him to carbon‑removal technologies. He joined the Future Forest Company (now Undo) as Director of Innovation, helping operationalise projects in afforestation, enhanced rock weathering and biochar.

Inspired by the potential of biochar, a porous form of charcoal made via pyrolysis that locks carbon into soil and enhances water and nutrient retentionpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govbiochar-us.org Rob launched Tera Carbon.

His company partners with a Kenyan group to convert sugar‑cane waste into biochar, improving degraded soils and sequestering carbon. Rob shares the realities of start‑up life: fundraising, hiring, financial risk and wearing multiple hats. Throughout, he emphasises the transferable skills that veterans bring-work ethic, adaptability, leadership and a willingness to learn and urges service‑leavers to build networks, test their assumptions and be open to unexpected opportunities.

00:00 Introduction: Tom & Jamie explain that this episode focuses on entrepreneurialism in the land‑based sector.

02:42 Meet Rob Palmer: A “university dropout” turned RAF weapons‑systems engineer who then served as a bomb‑search commander and parachute engineer officer in the Army.

04:52 Career crossroads: Nimrod cancellation leaves Rob in limbo; a CO encourages him to find purpose, leading him to commission into the Royal Engineers.

07:02 Transition decisions: Facing parenthood and a desire for stability, Rob explores corporate graduate schemes but remains unsure of his direction.

08:55 The power of networking: Rob describes his “never say no to coffee” rule, which ultimately leads to a pivotal introduction to the Future Forest Company via his CO.

10:41 Carbon‑removal technologies: Rob discusses early work at the Future Forest Company/Undo, operationalising science projects in afforestation, enhanced rock weathering and biochar.

12:35 Biochar & pyrolysis explained: Biochar is produced by heating biomass in the absence of oxygen (pyrolysis), producing a stable, porous form of charcoalpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. When added to soil it improves pH, structure and water‑holding capacitypmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Its physical and chemical nature allows it to attract and hold moisture and nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorusbiochar-us.org, providing a habitat for microbes and reducing greenhouse gas emissionsbiochar-us.org.

14:17 Why Africa? Rob explains that Kenyan sugar‑cane farms suffer from severe soil acidity and nutrient leaching. Converting waste cane into biochar not only sequesters carbon but also buffers soil pH and increases yields, boosting local livelihoods.

16:26 Starting Tera Carbon: Rob describes founding Tera Carbon under the Tamu Group in Kenya, negotiating seed funding and accepting a lower salary in return for equity and impact.

18:18 Day‑to‑day as a founder: From writing pitch decks and financial models to visiting Kenyan farms and dealing with everything from fundraising to operations, Rob wears all the hats of CEO, CFO and COO.

20:40 Skills veterans bring: Rob highlights that service‑leavers excel at problem‑solving, adapting to change and learning new skills quickly. He credits his work ethic and ability to “just get on with it” for his success in the start‑up world.

22:37 Financial realities: Rob acknowledges the need for humility—accepting a lower initial salary and title—and stresses the importance of budgeting, especially if you have dependants or mortgages.

24:32 Fundraising & hiring challenges: Rob discusses different funding routes (equity, debt) and admits that hiring and firing are the toughest parts of leadership.

26:53 Advice to service‑leavers: Learn the language of business, build foundational financial skills and translate your military experience into commercial terms. Rob recommends mini-MBAs and continued education to build confidence.

32:55 The power of planning & coffee: Rob advises veterans to explore roles through shadowing and networking before they leave, creating opportunities that might otherwise be missed.

39:05 Final reflections: Tom and Jamie reflect on the inspirational nature of Rob’s journey and note that entrepreneurial paths are varied—some require deep research, others rely on gut instinct and passion.

Rob Palmer is a former RAF weapons‑systems engineer and Royal Engineer troop commander who now champions sustainable carbon‑removal technologies. After Nimrod’s cancellation, he transferred to the Royal Engineers, commanding bomb‑search units and serving with 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment.

Post‑service, Rob joined the Future Forest Company (Undo) as Director of Innovation, helping operationalise science projects in biochar and enhanced rock weathering. Inspired to create his own impact, he co‑founded Tera Carbon under Kenya’s Tamu Group, converting sugar‑cane waste into biochar. Biochar’s porous structure makes it ideal for retaining moisture and nutrients, improving soil health and acting as a long‑term carbon sink pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govbiochar-us.org.

By improving yields and sequestering carbon, Tera Carbon aims to support both climate mitigation and rural livelihoods. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn and learn more about his work at teracarbon.earth and The Future Forest Company.

1. What is biochar? – Biochar is produced by pyrolysis, heating plant biomass in an oxygen‑limited environment. The resulting charcoal‑like material has a network of pores that makes it a stable carbon sinkpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
2. Biochar’s benefits – Biochar’s physical and chemical structure allows it to attract and hold moisture and nutrientsbiochar-us.org. Its large surface area and porous architecture provide habitat for microbes, enhancing nutrient uptakebiochar-us.org. It also reduces soil acidity and persists in soil for centuriesbiochar-us.org.
3. Soil health & carbon sequestration – Scientific reviews note that biochar improves soil pH, cation exchange capacity, pore size distribution, bulk density and water‑holding capacitypmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, while reducing nutrient leaching and greenhouse‑gas emissionsbiochar-us.org.
4. Continuous learning – Veterans considering entrepreneurship can boost their business skills through short courses or mini‑MBAs. Understanding basic finance, business planning and digital skills helps translate military experience into commercial success.
5. HighGround’s support – Explore HighGround’s virtual and residential Rural Weeks for guidance on land‑based careers and to connect with employers across agriculture, horticulture, forestry, conservation and agri‑tech. Learn more at highground‑uk.org.

If Rob’s story resonates with you, share this episode with fellow service‑leavers, reservists or anyone curious about sustainability and entrepreneurship. Consider attending a HighGround Rural Week to gain hands‑on experience and network with employers. Whether you dream of founding a start‑up or joining an innovative firm, the land‑based sector offers opportunities that blend purpose, profit and environmental stewardship.

In this HighGround episode, hosts Tom Constable and Jamie Crisp speak with Dr Charles Trotman, Senior Economics and Rural Business Advisor at the Country Land & Business Association (CLA). Charles sets the scene with statistics: predominantly rural areas contributed about £315 billion (16.2% of England’s economy) in 2022 lordslibrary.parliament.uk, yet agriculture makes up only 3% of rural GVAlordslibrary.parliament.uk.

Rural England hosts around 590 businesses per 10 000 people, more than urban areaslordslibrary.parliament.uk, and roughly 102 400 farm holdings operate across Englandgov.uk. Despite this diversity, many rural businesses face acute labour shortages. Recognising the untapped potential of service‑leavers and veterans, the CLA has signed the Armed Forces Covenant—a national promise to ensure that those who serve or have served are treated fairlyarmedforcescovenant.gov.uk and is pursuing the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme.

Charles explains how the CLA’s veterans initiative pledges to: 1) encourage rural employers to consider veterans; 2) provide information to employers on the benefits of hiring ex‑military personnel; and 3) collaborate with existing veteran‑support networks like HighGround. He outlines the skills veterans bring: leadership, discipline, logistics, digital competence and crisis management and emphasises that employing veterans is about adding value, not cheap labour. The discussion ends with a call for greater collaboration across sector bodies to connect veterans with meaningful careers in farming, land management, tourism and agri‑tech.

00:00 Introduction: Tom & Jamie recap the podcast’s aim and tease a conversation that moves away from a specific job to look at sector‑wide issues.

03:06 Meet Dr Charles Trotman: Senior Economist at the CLA describes the breadth of the rural economy (£315 bn GVAlordslibrary.parliament.uk, 3.8 m employees) and notes that agriculture represents just 3% of rural outputlordslibrary.parliament.uk.

04:28 What is the CLA? The Country Land & Business Association has existed for over 100 years, representing 26 000 members across England and Wales. Nearly half of members farm less than 150 acres and are asset‑rich but cash‑poor; their businesses span more than 250 income streams, from farming to tourism and renewable energy.

06:41 Armed Forces Covenant & pledges: The CLA signed the Covenant in 2023, committing to three pledges: encouraging members to employ veterans, disseminating information about veterans’ skills, and linking with support networks. The Covenant is a national promise to treat those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces fairlyarmedforcescovenant.gov.uk.

09:01 Why veterans? Charles explains that rural businesses face severe labour shortages. Veterans offer transferable skills—leadership, teamwork, technical and digital proficiency, crisis management and logistic planning—that add value beyond manual labour.

11:23 Defining the initiative: The CLA’s veterans initiative aims to create sustainable careers and business opportunities for veterans, rather than providing cheap labour. It also seeks to enrich rural communities and support social inclusion.

13:20 Skills & benefits: Charles highlights six categories of skills veterans bring: leadership & discipline; technical and mechanical abilities; communication; planning & logistics; digital & cyber skills; and critical decision‑making.

15:24 Rural economy challenges: Discussion of productivity gaps, labour shortages and digital connectivity problems in rural areaslordslibrary.parliament.uk. The initiative seeks to address these by connecting employers with a skilled workforce.

17:52 Overcoming misconceptions: Charles addresses myths about veterans being “mad, bad or sad” and stresses that most service‑leavers are adaptable, trainable and eager to learn.

20:10 Case for collaboration: The conversation turns to COVID‑19’s impact on agricultural labour and why a coordinated approach—bringing together the CLA, NFU, HighGround, Scottish Land & Estates and others—is essential.

21:58 Veterans Rural Skills Partnership: Charles describes a new coalition of rural bodies, skills providers and charities aimed at matching veterans with rural employers, creating clear pathways into land‑based work.

23:30 Communication & brand: Charles emphasises the need for a clear, consistent message to both veterans and employers about opportunities in rural sectors—so each group understands the other’s needs and values.

24:18 Giving back: The initiative is framed as a way for landowners to give something back to those who have served, aligning with the CLA’s long‑standing commitment to stewardship.

25:19 Closing reflections: Hosts summarise key takeaways, including the importance of strategic collaboration and treating veterans as individuals rather than statistics.

Dr Charles Trotman is the Senior Economics and Rural Business Advisor at the Country Land & Business Association. An economist by training, Charles joined the CLA in 2002 after working for the National Farmers Union and spending six years in Brussels.

He advises 26 000 CLA members on economic and business issues, conducts research and lobbies government on policies affecting rural businesses. He currently leads the CLA’s veterans initiative, which aims to connect service‑leavers with land‑based careers and tackle labour shortages.

Charles is passionate about sustainable rural development, digital connectivity and ensuring that the rural economy—worth around £315 bn GVA in 2022 lordslibrary.parliament.uk—has the workforce and resources it needs to thrive.

1. Country Land & Business Association (CLA) – Learn more about the CLA’s work and membership at cla.org.uk.
2. Armed Forces Covenant – The Covenant is a national promise that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, will be treated fairlyarmedforcescovenant.gov.uk. Businesses can pledge support through the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme.
3. Rural economy statistics – Rural areas in England contributed £315 bn of gross value added in 2022lordslibrary.parliament.uk; agriculture, forestry and fishing accounted for 3% of rural GVAlordslibrary.parliament.uk; and businesses in rural areas employed 3.8 million peoplelordslibrary.parliament.uk. England had about 102 400 farm holdings in 2023gov.uk.
4. Challenges & opportunities – Rural businesses have higher business density (590 per 10 000 population) than urban areaslordslibrary.parliament.uk but face productivity gaps and labour shortageslordslibrary.parliament.uk. Improving digital connectivity and transport is keylordslibrary.parliament.uk.
5. HighGround – Explore Rural Weeks and other programmes that help service‑leavers transition into land‑based careers at highground-uk.org.

If you’ve been inspired by this episode, share it with other service‑leavers, reservists and employers who could benefit from understanding the rural economy. Consider signing the Armed Forces Covenant or engaging with the CLA’s veterans initiative if you’re an employer. Veterans and service‑leavers can explore opportunities in land‑based sectors through HighGround’s Rural Weeks and connect with organisations like the CLA for guidance and support.

This episode of the HighGround podcast explores life on a smallholding and the realities of farm diversification. Host Tom Constable welcomes Mark Rees, a 22‑year Army veteran who, with his family, bought a smallholding in Devon and began rearing Gotland sheep—a Swedish breed prized for its lustrous wool and tender meatlivingwithgotlands.com.

Mark explains that a smallholding is generally a home with land bigger than a garden but smaller than a farm—anything under about 50 acresarbtech.co.uk. To make his 20‑acre holding viable, Mark diversified: he started fencing and gardening businesses, trained in butchery and project management, and eventually founded Gotland Gin, using botanicals such as lingonberries to reference the sheep’s Scandinavian origins. He discusses the licensing hurdles, the impact of the pandemic, and how direct sales and farm experiences help market both the gin and his wool products.

The conversation highlights how ex‑military skills, discipline, hard work, adaptability-translate to small‑scale farming and entrepreneurship. Mark stresses the importance of resilience, learning from mistakes and following one’s passion. The hosts also touch on grants, training courses and networks available to would‑be smallholders, and encourage listeners to seek out HighGround’s Rural Week courses for hands‑on experience.

00:00 Introduction: Tom & Jamie outline the podcast’s goal to create a library of land‑based career conversations for veterans and service‑leavers.

02:42 Meet Mark Rees: 22‑year Army veteran and former Army Air Corps/PT Corps instructor introduces himself and describes buying a 20‑acre smallholding in Devon.

03:50 What is a smallholding? Discussion about the term; smallholdings are generally a home with land larger than a garden but smaller than a farm—usually under about 50 acresarbtech.co.uk.

04:10T ransition & early diversification: Mark describes setting up gardening and fencing businesses while establishing the smallholding and explains why he specialised in Gotland sheep.

06:00 Service‑leaver advice: Mark emphasises the lack of land‑based guidance when he left the Army and urges veterans to plan early and take advantage of courses.

10:16 Gotland sheep: The breed produces long, curly wool with lustre that grows 10 inches in a yearlivingwithgotlands.com and lambs grow quickly; ewes are excellent mothers, often raising twins or tripletslivingwithgotlands.com. Mark explains how wool and lamb sales originally supported the farm.

13:08 Birth of Gotland Gin: The idea came from a conversation over gin and tonic; Mark developed a recipe using lingonberries to link the gin to the sheep’s Swedish heritage.

15:25 Licensing & early sales: He details the process of contracting a local distillery, gaining HMRC licences and testing the gin at markets before investing in his own still.

17:47 Pivot during lockdown: With markets cancelled, Mark offered free hand sanitiser with gin orders and delivered bottles across Devon, building the brand and social‑media following.

20:13 On‑farm experiences: Mark explains how farm‑tasting sessions and sheep interaction experiences help sell gin and wool products and educate visitors about smallholdings.

21:19 Economics & diversification: Smallholder finances are tight; mixed income from wool, meat, contract work and gin production keeps the farm viable. Mark notes that smallholders often need multiple revenue streams.

23:32 Learning & resilience: Self‑teaching, reading and listening to other farmers have been vital. Mark emphasises learning from mistakes and using military discipline to persist.

25:30 Advice on training: Jamie points out that land‑based colleges offer short courses—tractor driving, ATV, spraying—many of which can be funded through veterans’ learning credits.

27:43 Starting with less capital: Mark suggests farm apprenticeships, council tenancies and contract work as ways into agriculture if buying land is not feasible.

31:09 Support networks & grants: Discussion about grants, farm‑advisory services and new environmental schemes that help with herbal‑lay planting and sustainable farming.

34:19 Final advice: Mark urges aspiring smallholders to be brave, follow their passion and use their military resilience. He reminds listeners that “everything you were taught in the military is a seamless transition to farming life.”

Mark Rees is a former Army Air Corps soldier and Physical Training Corps instructor who served for 22 years. On leaving the Army, he and his family moved to a 20‑acre smallholding in Devon, where they rear Gotland sheep—a Swedish breed known for its long, lustrous wool and tender, mild meatlivingwithgotlands.com. Gotland ewes are prolific mothers and lambs mature quicklylivingwithgotlands.com, making the breed suitable for dual‑purpose wool and meat production. To make the farm viable, Mark launched fencing and gardening businesses, studied butchery and worked as a building‑project manager before founding Gotland Gin, a micro‑distillery using botanicals such as lingonberries. He now sells award‑winning gins, wool products and farm experiences while supporting HighGround’s Rural Weeks as a guest presenter. Follow Mark’s work at gotlandgin.co.uk, instagram.com/gotland_gin, and facebook.com/gotlandgin.

1. Smallholding definition – A smallholding is generally a home with land larger than a garden but smaller than most farms; usually under about 50 acresarbtech.co.uk. A family can often be self‑sufficient on around five acresarbtech.co.uk.
2. Benefits & challenges of smallholdings – Smallholdings can be more productive per acre than larger farms by combining different uses (orchards, animals, bees etc.)arbtech.co.uk, but start‑up costs include fencing, tools and legal registrationsarbtech.co.uk.
3. Gotland sheep – Their fleece grows up to 10 inches a year and is prized for its lustre and soft handlelivingwithgotlands.com; ewes have adaptable, personable temperaments and lambs mature quickly, often with twins or tripletslivingwithgotlands.com.
4. Diversification – Farm diversification, such as producing spirits, is becoming increasingly common as farmers seek alternative revenue streams. NFU Mutual notes that farms are turning wheat or barley into craft gins and vodkas to connect consumers with the farm and increase profitability.
5. Training & advice – UK land‑based colleges and organisations like LANTRA offer short courses in tractor driving, ATV, spraying and animal husbandry. Veterans can often fund these through learning credits schemes (ELCAS/SLC). HighGround’s Rural Weeks provide hands‑on experience and introductions to employers.
6. HighGround charity – Find out more about HighGround’s Rural Weeks and horticultural therapy programmes at highground‑uk.org.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with your network—other service‑leavers, reservists and veterans may find inspiration in Mark’s journey. For hands‑on experience of smallholding and other land‑based careers, consider signing up for a HighGround Rural Week. You can also support Mark by purchasing Gotland Gin or visiting his farm experiences to learn more about Gotland sheep and life on a smallholding.

In this episode of the HighGround podcast, hosts Tom Constable and HighGround CEO Jamie Crisp visit the National Trust’s Killerton Estate in Devon to speak with Karl Emmeleus, head gardener and a long‑time supporter of HighGround’s Rural Weeks. Karl retrained from secondary‑school teaching into horticulture more than two decades ago and has worked his way up through the National Trust to manage one of its largest gardens.

He explains that Killerton’s estate spans 6,400 acres of farmland, woods and parkland nationaltrust.org.uk, while the formal garden he manages covers about 18 acres with everything from lawn care and propagation to woodland management. Karl describes how horticulture offers an almost endless variety of roles, from general gardening to specialist tree and plant work and why service‑leavers’ teamwork, adaptability and attention to detail make them well suited to the sector.

The discussion covers day‑to‑day tasks, seasonal variations, the growth of habitat restoration on estates, and entry routes such as volunteering, apprenticeships and RHS Level 2 qualifications. Karl shares practical tips on finding jobs and stresses the mental‑health benefits of working outdoors; studies show that gardening can improve mood, self‑esteem and concentration while reducing stress webmd.com. The episode closes with advice for veterans to visit gardens, talk to professionals and experience the work first‑hand.

00:00 Introduction: Tom & Jamie recap the aim of the HighGround podcast—creating an evergreen library of conversations about land‑based careers for veterans, service‑leavers and reservists.

02:13 Meet Karl Emmeleus: Karl introduces himself and explains his journey from teaching to horticulture. He retrained and joined the National Trust over 20 years ago, rising through the organisation to become head gardener at Killerton.

03:39 What is horticulture? Karl clarifies that horticulture is the professional practice of gardening; it goes far beyond cutting hedges or mowing lawns and includes plant propagation, tree care, design and public engagement.

05:01 Diverse career paths: Discussion about the many routes within horticulture—from generalist gardeners to specialists in trees, plant genera or conservation—and how interests can develop over time.

06:58 Soft skills & veterans: Jamie notes that veterans bring transferrable skills such as punctuality, health‑and‑safety awareness, teamwork and adaptability, which are highly valued in horticulture.

08:15 Killerton Estate overview: Karl describes Killerton’s 6,400‑acre estate with 18 tenant farms and woodlandsnationaltrust.org.uk. His team maintains an 18‑acre formal garden plus smaller plots around the estate with only four full‑time staff, one apprentice and around 20 volunteers.

09:30 Daily tasks & seasonal work: From early‑morning blowing and grass‑cutting before visitors arrive to dead‑heading, edging, propagation and tree work, Karl outlines how the job changes with the seasons and why no two days are the same.

10:13 Wider estate roles: Beyond gardening, Killerton employs ecologists, rangers, carpenters and countryside managers to restore habitats and plant trees—highlighting the breadth of land‑based careers. In fact, the estate has 15 tenant farms and uses hedgerows to link habitats across its 6,400 acresnationaltrust.org.uk.

13:00 Why horticulture suits veterans: Karl explains that working outside, contributing to conservation and seeing immediate results are rewarding for people leaving the services. Gardening is known to improve mood, boost self‑esteem and increase focuswebmd.com.

14:25 Qualifications & apprenticeships: Karl advises gaining practical experience first, for example through volunteering, before committing to formal study. The National Trust offers paid apprenticeships (£22k pa) that combine college study with on‑the‑job training. Recognised qualifications include the RHS Level 2 Certificate, which covers planting, pruning, propagation and maintenance skillsrhs.org.uk and provides a theoretical understanding of plant sciencerhs.org.uk.

16:00 Volunteering & getting started: Tips on approaching local National Trust properties—many welcome volunteers and offer assistant gardener roles even without formal qualifications. Karl encourages would‑be gardeners to visit gardens, meet the teams and use face‑to‑face contacts to stand out.

19:50 Challenges & rewards: Weather and wildlife (rabbits, moles, insects) are constant challenges, but positive visitor feedback and the satisfaction of nurturing plants make the work worthwhile.

22:20 Creativity & conservation: Within conservation plans, gardeners can still design borders and experiment with herbaceous plantings, while respecting the spirit of heritage sites and avoiding invasive species.

24:20 Career progression & salaries: Entry‑level gardeners (National Trust Grade 9) start at around £24k, with apprenticeships paying ~£22k. Senior gardeners and head gardeners earn in the low–mid £30k range, with higher salaries for larger teams. Ongoing training and internal leadership programmes support progression.

30:34 Job search & resources: Many horticulture jobs appear on general job boards (e.g., Indeed), but the National Trust lists roles—from apprenticeships to assistant gardeners—on its dedicated site (nationaltrustjobs.org.uk). HighGround’s Rural Weeks offer hands‑on experience and networking.

31:55 Final advice: Karl encourages veterans to talk to gardeners, experience the work through volunteering and use their military discipline and adaptability to stand out. The discussion ends on a light note about National Trust uniforms (everything is provided—except underwear!).

Karl Emmeleus is the head gardener at the National Trust’s Killerton Estate in Devon. Killerton is a 2,600‑hectare (6,400‑acre) estate of farmland, woods and parkland nationaltrust.org.uk. Its formal garden is known for rhododendrons, magnolias, champion trees and lawns nationaltrust.org.uk, and the estate manages 15 tenant farms and links habitats with hedges nationaltrust.org.uk. After initially training as a secondary‑school teacher, Karl retrained in horticulture, joined the National Trust and progressed to head gardener. He now mentors apprentices, leads a team of staff and volunteers, and supports HighGround’s Rural Weeks by giving veterans hands‑on experience. Follow the estate on Facebook and Instagram.

1. Killerton, Devon – Plan a visit, discover the gardens and learn about conservation work at Killerton nationaltrust.org.uk.
2. Volunteer or work with the National Trust – Killerton relies on hundreds of volunteers nationaltrust.org.uk; explore roles and apprenticeships on nationaltrustjobs.org.uk.
3. RHS Level 2 Certificates – The Royal Horticultural Society’s Level 2 Certificate in Practical Horticulture teaches planting, pruning, propagation and maintenance skillsrhs.org.uk, while the Principles of Plant Growth course provides a theoretical foundationrhs.org.uk. Completion of both leads to the combined Principles and Practices certificaterhs.org.uk.
4. Gardening & mental health – Research shows that gardening improves mood, boosts self‑esteem and concentration, provides exercise and encourages social bondswebmd.com.
5. HighGround – Learn about HighGround’s Rural Weeks and horticultural therapy programmes at highground‑uk.org, and explore volunteering and training opportunities for veterans.

If this episode inspired you, please share it with a friend or colleague who might benefit. To explore horticulture first‑hand, sign up for a HighGround Rural Week or contact your local National Trust property about volunteering. You can also rate and review the HighGround podcast in your favourite app to help other veterans find these resources.