With collectively more than 200 years of experience in the industry, our team are here to be trusted advisors to our Members.
Andrew Knowles, Chief Executive
Andrew brings a depth and breadth of agri-business knowledge to Fram Farmers and is well-positioned to serve members across all sectors of the industry.
As we celebrate 60 years, Fram Farmers is confident that Andrew will deliver progress for members and that his leadership qualities and strategic experience will help further develop what we have already achieved over the past 6 decades.
Tim Styles, Chief Operating Officer
Tim grew up on a family farm in Suffolk, where he developed an early passion for farming and agriculture. He went on to study agriculture at Harper Adams University, graduating with a Honours degree in Agriculture, Land and Farm Management.
In the early years of his career, working in the grain trade, he developed a keen interest in commodities and trading, before switching to the animal feed industry and focusing on raw material buying, predominantly in the mono-gastric sector.
During this time Tim stayed heavily involved with his family farming business and saw first-hand the significant benefits gained through co-operation at a farm level. Tim moved his career into the co-operative sector when he joined Fram Farmers in 2010 and, since then, he has put his skillset to use working directly for farmers.
Nick Hindle, Accounts
Nick is a qualified CIMA accountant having achieved a Fellowship qualification in 2000. Nick has over 25 years experience in accounts, spending the majority as a financial controller managing upwards of 40 staff. He has worked in a variety of industries, allowing him to gain a broad knowledge of accounting and finance in many areas.
Dan Cox, Business Services
Dan grew up on a poultry farm in Norfolk and, having gained a degree in Marketing & Communications, worked with global business solutions companies before studying for a Masters in Local & Regional Economic Development. For the past six years, Dan has worked closely with farm businesses, gaining over £12.5m of grant funding, and developing other areas of business support. Having started at Fram Farmers in June 2020, Dan has already introduced a range of new product and service areas to add value to membership.
Gordon Cummings, Fuel and Machinery
Gordon has 43 years experience in the farm machinery industry at both dealer and manufacturer level, affording him extensive contacts and experience. He spent 21 years working for Claas, which culminated in being promoted to general manager/director of the retail group Eastern. This gave him a unique insight into the dealer world. He was also a sales director of a Case dealership, and a UK Sprayer manufacturer.
Suffolk born and bred, but now living in Lincolnshire, Gordon is very active on social media and is a founder member of #clubhectare.
Jodie Allen, Livestock
Jodie joined the Fram Farmers Livestock department in 2012 after spending 12 years working for an agricultural research, marketing and sales company now better known as Map of Ag. She gained a diploma in Ruminant Nutrition in 2017 from Harper Adams College, and at the same time was promoted to livestock manager. Jodie specialises in advising members on forward buying straights and blends, compounds fats and minerals, while negotiating and maximising relationships within the industry and to pass on those benefits to members.
Matthew Cobbald, Crop Protection Product Manager
Matthew is from a family farm in Tendring, Essex. Having studied Agriculture and Business Management at Wye College Matthew dedicated his career to agronomy. Matthew brings a wealth of experience having carried out the role of Agronomist and Technical Director for a large Farm Management company, running the Research Department as well as delivering advice into Farm managers across the country. He has experience of both distribution and independent agronomy, and also advises into the Recommended List Committee for AHDB. He is BASIS / FACTS / BETA qualified.
Barry Howard, Crop Marketing
Barry started working at Fram Farmers in 1986, in the purchasing department, before moving to grain marketing and taking on responsibility for trading oilseed rape. Barry later joined Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) in 1995, progressing to a senior trading role with ADM Direct and, latterly, ADM Agriculture, in addition to managing the relationships with their cooperative partners. Barry re-joined Fram Farmers as a commercial manager in January 2020.