Alan Laidlaw appointed to landmark role
Tenant farmers across England will now have a dedicated champion in government after the appointment of Alan Laidlaw as the country’s first Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector.
Laidlaw, an experienced chief executive with more than 25 years in agriculture and land management, will serve as an impartial voice between landlords, tenants and advisers. His role is to uphold fair practice, investigate complaints and promote the standards set out in the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice.
The creation of the commissioner is part of the government’s Plan for Change, which aims to secure a fairer, more profitable and sustainable farming future. Tenant farmers currently manage more than a third of England’s farmland and are recognised as vital both for food security and environmental recovery.
Role and responsibilities
Working closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Farm Tenancy Forum, Laidlaw will track trends in the sector, provide guidance, and publish reports on the state of tenant-landlord relations. He will also act as a trusted contact point to tackle poor behaviour and promote collaborative working.
Laidlaw said he was “honoured” to take on the role: “Having worked across farming, land management and the rural economy, I know how strong tenant-landlord relationships can drive innovation, resilience and shared success.”
Government backing
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds welcomed the appointment during a visit to a tenant farm alongside Laidlaw. “Tenant farmers are the backbone of food production and play a vital role in caring for our countryside,” she said. “Alan’s decades of experience make him uniquely placed to strengthen relationships and drive up standards across the sector.”
Industry support
The move was also praised by George Dunn, chief executive of the Tenant Farmers Association. “Alan’s appointment marks a crucial step forward in cementing the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice into the landlord-tenant system,” he said. “I am sure he will be thorough, diligent and impactful in this important role.”
Background and experience
Laidlaw previously spent over a decade on the senior management team at The Crown Estate, overseeing a 250,000-acre rural portfolio – one of the UK’s largest agricultural tenanted estates. He introduced innovative tenancy agreements and co-investment models that delivered sustainable returns for tenants and landowners alike.
He has also held senior posts across public, private and charitable organisations, and is regarded as a respected voice in the UK’s rural and agricultural sectors.
Laidlaw’s appointment is seen as a significant step towards improving trust and collaboration across England’s farming landscape. Defra hopes his work will help tenant farmers and landlords alike adapt to the economic and environmental challenges shaping the future of British agriculture.
