 He oversaw its demutualisation in 1999 to become Countrywide Farmers plc, a farming, equestrian and rural supplies firm, continuing as chairman until 2004.When he retired from the post, Countrywide Farmers had 11,000 farmer shareholders and an annual turnover of £150 million.He was appointed a Justice of the Peace for Wiltshire in 1980, as High Sheriff of Wiltshire for 1997–1998, and as a Deputy Lieutenant of the county in 1998.