Food & agriculture

Smith & Williamson has an unrivalled reputation in the food & agriculture sector. We have worked closely with food companies including processors, manufacturers and retailers, giving strategic advice and assisting with the acquisition and sale of businesses. We also have strong connections with farmer-controlled businesses (FCBs) and with landed estates and farmers for many years.

Since 2008, Steve Ellwood has led our food & agriculture team. Formerly, Head of Agriculture at HSBC Bank plc, Steve serves on the board of a number of food companies and is chairman of the Food and Farming Foundation  (FFF) of which Smith & Williamson is a main sponsor. Our support of FFF and European Food and Farming Partnerships (EFFP) will enable EFFP to develop its role as a specialist agrifood business consultancy, aimed at facilitating greater co-operation between food companies and farmers thus securing a profitable and sustainable future across the food supply chain. Its activities have been backed by farming & food industries as well as governments.

Philip Moody, Head of Corporate finance at Smith & Williamson, has been actively engaged in this sector, is also a director of FFF and is currently on the board of Openfield Group Limited (Openfield), a leading grain marketing FCB that works over 7,000 arable farmers across the UK.