Agri-hub, the agricultural media service, has brought new experience into its team with the appointment of editorial and PR executive, Aaron Finucane.
Running a regenerative sheep and beef enterprise near Exeter, Aaron brings real-time experience of a changing farming landscape and an enthusiasm for broadening his agricultural career.
“I’m very happy to have been afforded the opportunity to combine my passion for agriculture and love of writing in agricultural journalism and PR,” he says.
“As a farmer, I view the role of the agricultural press as being vital to our industry and our communities. In my new role at Agri-hub it will be a privilege to communicate important news, useful information, and progressive content to the industry.”
After a lengthy career in the music industry, Aaron decided to pursue his long-held ambition to farm, securing a job on a local dairy unit and undertaking a BSc (Hons) in agriculture and rural business management at Bishop Burton College. Aaron and his family moved to the South West in 2012, securing a farm tenancy near Silverton, Devon.
“We knew we wanted to farm our own livestock unit, with regenerative practices and forage management being at the heart of the business. For this reason, the South West was our preferred option, having previously been located in the beautiful, but seasonally challenging, Peak District,” says Aaron.
“After spending around 10 years establishing a farming enterprise that can run effectively without my day-to-day input, I have been able to take an opportunity to seek new work-life challenges off farm.”
And he has a clear idea of what he’d like to achieve in his new career. “It’s a volatile time for the agricultural industry and it’s my belief that the press has a responsibility to report on the issues the industry is experiencing,” he says.
“Farmers and stakeholders need to be heard,” he adds. “And there also needs to be content bringing positive, interesting, and useful perspectives, as well as signposting the way to crucial help and information – I aspire to bring that balance to my work.
“I do think as a sector we can be a little guilty of talking to ourselves, and I’d like to promote better agricultural knowledge-sharing outside of the industry. If I can make an effective contribution in this area, then I’d consider that time well spent.”
Aaron will be working as an editorial and PR executive from the Agri-hub office near Exeter, Devon, alongside founder and Guild member Olivia Cooper, and her team of editorial and PR managers: Natalie Noble (Exeter, Devon), Ruth Wills (Launceston, Cornwall) and Marianne Curtis (Bingley, Yorkshire).
“It’s very exciting to welcome Aaron as a full-time member of our team, and I’m sure with his diverse experiences and farming background he will build a reputable and fulfilling niche in the industry,” says Olivia.
“We have a broad range of PR clients and editorial commitments, so there will be plenty for him to get his teeth into.”
