Celebrating a Year of Growth and Collaboration – Merry Christmas from Ceres Group

Dear clients, supporters and followers of Ceres, 

As we reach the end of the year, we’d like to wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Thank you for your trust, collaboration and the many conversations we’ve enjoyed with you – on farms and sites, in boardrooms, at shows and conferences, and out on the road. Your support helps our teams across the rural, property and research businesses deliver effective solutions and meaningful results. 

 A Year of Growth and Investment

This year, we’ve invested in both our places and our people. We opened two new offices in Stamford and Newbury, bringing Ceres closer to clients across more regions. Our Shrewsbury office moved into larger premises to support a growing team and enhanced client service, while Saffron Walden expanded to create a fantastic new boardroom. 

Alongside these moves, we passed an important milestone: more than 100 people now work across the Ceres Group, widening our expertise and capacity to support you. 

 Highlights from 2025

• Knowledge Sharing: We began the year with a brilliant Planning Lecture on the NPPF, giving practical direction in a changing policy landscape. 

• Show Season: Through spring and summer, we attended over 40 events – meeting and catching up with a fantastic variety of clients, partners and contacts. 

• Strategy Away Day: A high energy session at the Velodrome helped us sharpen priorities and spark new collaboration across our practices. 

On 4th December, the Research team hosted our inaugural Ceres Agristrategy Conference – a sold-out event with 170 delegates exploring the future of farming, food systems and rural land use. If you don’t want to miss next year’s event, secure your early-bird tickets when they are released in the New Year; keep your eyes peeled for the announcement. 

We also launched the Ceres Research Membership, giving arable farmers and agricultural professionals access to in-depth insights and training through curated content, expert sessions and events. 

 Delivery and Impact

• In March, the rural business completed the Defra Future Farming Resilience Fund, providing over 1,500 rural businesses with free, practical advice at a pivotal time. 

• Through the Routes to Regen project – working with the Royal Countryside Fund and a consortium of partners – we supported 100 farmers to access programmes that accelerate regenerative practice. 

This year we have increased our total acreage of farm and agronomic advice provided to clients, now servicing approximately 100,000 hectares. Our estate management portfolio has also grown significantly – up to 36 estates – whilst our RICS registered valuers completed a record number of valuations across our offices. 

Transactional Success

• Our farm agency team sold seven farms and estates totalling just shy of 2,000 acres, and secured two purchases for clients totalling over 3,000 acres. 

• The renewables experts supported over 60 transactions as part of NESO’s grid transition. 

• In the minerals and waste sector, we are negotiating over 25 million tonnes of sand and gravel options, while actively managing more than 2 million tonnes of annual extraction and restoration. 

• The development team had a fantastic year, completing sales of sites that will deliver approximately 1,850 residential units, while our planning team worked tirelessly with private and public clients to deliver permissions for schemes totalling approx. 16,000 residential units (either allocated or consented). 

Influence and Advocacy

In a turbulent year for farming policy, members of our rural team met with notable and influential figures to raise awareness of the industry’s challenges and needs. We’ve met the Prince of Wales, Kemi Badenoch MP and James Cleverly MP. 

We also responded to consultations with key bodies, including: 

• Defra’s Land Use Consultation 

• Baroness Minette Batters Farm Profitability Review 

• The call for evidence on “expanding the role of the private sector in nature recovery”. 

Additionally, we contributed to the new co-design working group on Defra’s Networks, Partnerships and Collaboration, and one of our partners attended the Westminster Forum on The National Food Strategy and next steps for the UK food system. 

Looking Ahead

It’s safe to say it’s been a busy year. Looking ahead, we are aware of the challenges but also excited about the opportunities 2026 will bring. We’ll keep investing in our people, data and tools; deepen our regional presence; and expand programmes that turn insight into action across the rural and property sectors. 

Opportunities in housing delivery, renewables, estate stewardship and farm performance will remain front and centre. Above all, we look forward to partnering with you to unlock value and deliver outcomes that work – practically, sustainably and commercially – on the ground. 

Christmas Closure

Ceres offices will be closed from 25th December to 1st January inclusive. We understand there may occasionally be urgent circumstances that require a consultant’s attention or guidance, and we will always do our best to help. 

Thank you again for your support throughout the year. We wish you a restful festive break and a prosperous New Year and we look forward to working with you in 2026. 

Warmest wishes,
Iain Halls, Charlie Ireland, Richard Means and John McLarty
Managing Partners, Ceres Group