CERES GROUP – FIVE YEARS OF GROWTH, COLLABORATION & IMPACT

This month marks five years since the launch of Ceres Rural, the starting point for what is now Ceres Group. The journey to this milestone has been driven by exceptional people and trusted partnerships, but it would not have been possible without the continued support of clients and collaborators across the regions. Ceres is sincerely grateful to the farmers, landowners, investors and developers who have placed their trust in the Group – their belief in independent, experience‑led advice has been central to Ceres’ journey and growth. 

Ceres began with 20 farming consultants and support staff, united by a shared belief that rural consultancy could be different. From the outset, the aim was clear: to deliver smart, independent business solutions from enthusiastic and entrepreneurial individuals, guided by experience, insight and science. That founding ethos remains at the heart of the Group today. 

Five years on, Ceres has grown into a multidisciplinary consultancy group of more than 100 people, operating as one business. They offer a genuinely joined up service to clients across the rural, land and property sectors, underpinned by in-depth knowledge, experience, and data-driven insight.  

A Comprehensive Group Offering

Today, Ceres Group provides a comprehensive suite of services, spanning: 

• Farming and strategic rural business consultancy 
• Land and estate management and consultancy 
• Farm agency 
• Planning and development advice 
• Data-led research, analysis and insight through Ceres Research, directly informing consultancy on the ground 

This breadth of expertise allows the Group to support clients through complex challenges – from agricultural transition and planning reform to land use change and long-term business resilience – with clarity and confidence. 

The past year has seen particularly strong momentum across the Group. The farm agency team has grown rapidly, with high levels of activity across farm sales, as well as supporting purchasers to identify and secure suitable opportunities. Whilst the land consultancy team goes from strength to strength, supporting an ever-increasing number of estates and projects. 

Planning and development advice continues to grow at pace, with a large, multi-region team busier than ever, responding to sustained demand across the country.  

At the same time, Ceres Research continues to reinforce the Group’s proposition, delivering independent, evidence-based insight that helps clients make informed decisions in an increasingly complex operating environment.  

Ceres Rural has been at the forefront of supporting farmers and landowners through what is widely recognised as one of the most turbulent and challenging periods in the history of agriculture. At a time of profound policy change, market volatility and operational pressure, the team continues to provide clear, independent and practical advice that helps businesses remain resilient and future focused.  

Together, the Group’s businesses ensure clients benefit from commercially grounded advice that is strategically informed across multiple disciplines and firmly rooted in real-world delivery. 

Investing in People, Talent and The Future

Growth at Ceres has never been about scale alone. From three original offices, the Group now operates from eight locations: Saffron Walden, Chelmsford, Newbury, Northampton, Norwich, Oxford, Shrewsbury and Stamford, enabling local presence alongside national reach.  

The partnership has also evolved significantly, reflecting a commitment to recognising talent and supporting long-term careers within the business. Alongside this, Ceres continues to invest heavily in structured development pathways, including a growing graduate scheme and internal programmes designed to nurture the next generation of rural and property professionals. 

Looking Ahead With Confidence

The rural and property sectors face no shortage of challenges – from policy reform and planning complexity, to market volatility and environmental pressures. But these challenges also create opportunity. 

As John McLarty explains: 

“The pace of change across the rural and property landscape is significant, but it is precisely in these moments that good advice matters most. Ceres is built to help clients navigate complexity, unlock opportunity and plan confidently for the long term.”  

Charlie Ireland adds: 

“From day one, our focus has been on providing independent, practical advice that genuinely helps farmers and landowners succeed. Five years on, that commitment is stronger than ever – and we are excited about what the future holds for our clients and our people.”  

With plans for continued growth, expansion into new geographies, and further investment in people and service innovation, Ceres Group enters its next chapter well positioned to support clients through change – and to help them identify new opportunities along the way. 

Five years in, the journey is only just beginning.