 He served from 1995 to 1999 as non-executive chairman of West Midland Farmers Association Ltd, a regional agricultural co-operative previously based in Melksham, Wiltshire.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.