First ‘Croissants & Questions’ Business Breakfast of 2025

Farm491 was delighted to host its first business breakfast of the year on 27th February 2025 at the Royal Agricultural University (RAU), continuing its popular ‘Croissants and Questions’ monthly series.

Held every last Thursday of the month from 8.00 am to 9.30 am, ‘Croissants and Questions’ offers an opportunity for all those interested in agriculture, food and strategic land management, to listen to a topic of interest presented by one or more expert guest speakers, ahead of a Q&A and networking. This is all accompanied by complimentary refreshments, including fresh pastries and hot beverages, to kickstart the day.

Professor Tom MacMillan speaking at our February ‘Croissants & Questions’ business breakfast

This month, ahead of networking, attendees learnt more about the business and innovation ecosystem at the RAU and Farm491 from guest speakers Professor Tom MacMillan (Elizabeth Creak Chair, RAU), Katy Duke (Head of Enterprise and Employability, RAU), Stacey Wheeler. (Business Navigator, The Growth Hub Cirencester), and Kay Ford, (Farm491 Operations and Events Manager (temp), RAU).

Professor Tom MacMillan spoke about the RAU’s plans to progress the development and growth opportunities for the business and innovation community. He outlined the RAU’s plans for an ambitious innovation village focused on solving the escalating pressures on land. This is currently a gap in innovation support in the UK and internationally. The University will take the first steps to address this need using its existing facilities, developing new events, training and research partnerships that will benefit existing partners and grow the community.

Katy Duke outlined the student enterprise pathway which is designed to nurture and develop business ideas and has resulted in several viable business start-ups. She also detailed the prestigious student enterprise award series, which has been running for several years. This year, Farm491 is thrilled to be sponsoring a prize for the best AgriTech submission.

Kay Ford discussed how Farm491 provides a landing place for these student entrepreneurs, as well as more broadly the wider agricultural, food and strategic land management communities. Founded to foster innovation, the intent is to bring the student, academic, research and business communities closer together in a collaborative network, whilst still focusing on the needs of entrepreneurs and their businesses, whether at start-up or scale-up stage.

Stacey Wheeler provided an update on the The Growth Hub Cirencester, including its current facilities and offering to students and wider business community. Sharing the Alliston Centre with Farm491 on the RAU campus, The Growth Hub Cirencester continues to anchor and connect Farm491 and the RAU more broadly with the wider non-agricultural business community.

The morning then continued with an insightful Q&A, followed by lively networking.

Save the date for the next ‘Croissants & Questions’ on Thursday 27 March 2025.