Alan Laidlaw is England’s first Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector. In this role, he works to strengthen relationships between tenant farmers, landlords, and advisers, and to support a thriving, sustainable tenanted sector.
He has over 25 years’ experience across rural, agricultural, and land management sectors, working in public, private, and charitable organisations. Alan spent more than a decade on the senior management team at The Crown Estate, managing a 250,000-acre rural portfolio, including one of the UK’s largest tenanted estates. He developed tenancy agreements and co-investment models, worked closely with tenant farmers and industry bodies, and led projects in infrastructure, renewable energy, and land transition.
Most recently, he served as Chief Executive of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), overseeing the Royal Highland Show and engaging with government and industry on sustainability, innovation, and community initiatives.
Alan studied Rural Enterprise and Land Management at Harper Adams University and qualified as a Chartered Rural Surveyor. Early in his career, he worked in rural finance and estate management. He is a founding trustee of Farmstrong Scotland, a charity supporting farmers’ wellbeing, and has served on boards and advisory councils across the UK’s agricultural sector.
Alan Laidlaw has been appointed as England’s first Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector. In this guest post, he shares his background, his ambitions for the role, and how he plans to work with the sector to strengthen relationships and collaboration between tenant farmers, landlords, and advisers.
Say hello to the team this October.
1 October The Dairy Show, Shepton Mallet, Somerset
11 October Alwinton Show, Alwinton, Northumberland
31 October Borderway Agri Expo, Rosehill, Carlisle
You can find us at these agricultural shows and conferences in 2025 and 2026.
The Farming Advice Service (FAS) provides free, confidential advice to farmers and advisers.
Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) helps farmers in England protect water, air and soil. CSF advisers can provide advice on best practices and specific actions that will benefit your farm business and the environment.
We’ve compiled a list of organisations offering wellbeing support to those in the farming community.
