As the UK pushes toward Clean Power 2030 and net zero by2050, the electricity system is set for rapid expansion. In this episode, Rebecca Collins and Richard Spencer explore what that growth means in practice - from new generation and grid infrastructure to consenting, land rights and the role of rural advisers in delivering it.

Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday professional life - from drafting emails to analysing data and even shaping valuation reports. But alongside the opportunities, there are important questions about responsibility and regulation.

In today’s episode Richard Sanders, technical and policyadviser to the CAAV, discusses the new RICS Standard on the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Surveying Practice and what it means for CAAV members.

Show notes:

• CAAV Podcast #53: ArtificialIntelligence: Opportunity or Threat?  
• CAAV Note 260210: AI Standards, Regulation and Responsible Use 
• RICS Standard: Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Surveying Practice
• RICS Example Risk Register

The first two weeks of January see two farming conferences,taking place at the same time, in the same place – The Oxford Farming Conference and the Oxford Real Farming Conference. In today’s episode, Richard Sanders, technical and policy adviser to the CAAV, unpacks the key announcements, like a renewed Sustainable Farming Incentive offer, clarity around future schemes, and a bigger focus on partnership working and business growth.

Show Notes:

CAAV Briefing Note: Review of OFC Announcements

DEFRA Announcements:

• Press Release: Backing farmers with a new era of partnership to boost farm profitability
• Secretary of State's address to 2026 Oxford Farming Conference
• DEFRA Blog: The new SFI offer for 2026

In this episode we explore the Government’s recent climbdown on the family farm tax, and what the new proposals actually mean for family-owned businesses. Jeremy Moody, secretary and adviser to the CAAV, unravels the full implications of these inheritance tax changes.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveiled the 2025 Budget,after months of hints, leaks and about-turns. So, now it’s finally happened, what does it mean for the rural economy and farm businesses? Jeremy Moody picks out the finerdetail.

With Parliament’s summer recess coming to an end, now is a good opportunity to take stock of various policy developments, and to look ahead to what is coming down the line. Richard Sanders, technical and policy adviser at the CAAV, takes us through some of the detail.

Artificial intelligence – a threat to rural professionals or a tool we can’t do without? Richard Sanders chats to Simon Haley, who has undertaken significant research into the importance of technology to agricultural valuers, to get his top tips and potential pitfalls.

Links mentioned in the podcast are pasted below:

-       Simon Haley’s Scholarship Report, TheValue of New Technologies for the Profession

-        CAAV Paper, Productivity:A Manifesto for Improvement

-        CAAV Podcast #53 – Artificialintelligence: Opportunity or threat?

-     CAAV Webnotes:

o   CAAVNote 230314: ChatGPT for Rural Valuers - Early Comments

o   CAAVNote 230314: AI Chat for Rural Valuers - Testing Updated Knowledge

o   CAAVNote 241119: AI Chat - CAAV Exams 2024

o   CAAVNote 250519: AI and AVMs - Recent Case Studies

o   CAAVNote 250625: AI Tools - Professional Lessons from the Courts

-        The Farmers Club Charitable Trust YouTube Page

In January the Government published its Land Use Framework consultation, looking at the many conflicting demands on land use in our small island. So what are the implications for landowners and managers? Richard Sanders finds out.

Money laundering is something few people encounter outside of gangster movies. But it’s an important area to get right – firstly, to ensure your clients are operating on the right side of the law, and secondly, to ensure your own compliance. Many CAAV members will come under the legislation, but it’s a complicated area, so Rebecca Collins navigates the maze.

The country is three months on from a Budget which, on the face of it, talked about economic growth and investment, but has turned into a battleground for the rural sector and the broader economy, sparking mass redundancies and huge protests. Jeremy Moody, secretary and adviser to the CAAV, joins Olivia Cooper to talk about the fallout of Rachel Reeves’ proposed Inheritance Tax changes on the rural economy.