Press Release: Leading Rural Voices Announced for Rural Diversification Live 2026
Farmers, landowners and rural business owners across the UK are invited to attend Rural Diversification Live 2026, a practical, insight-led event designed to showcase real-world diversification in action brought to you by Dudley Peverill and The Diversified Farmer.
Taking place on Tuesday 16th June 2026 at Squab Hall Farm, the event will run from 10:00am to 3:30pm, bringing together industry experts, successful rural entrepreneurs and forward-thinking farmers for a day of ideas, learning and connection.
Expert Speakers and Industry Voices Confirmed
The event will feature a live business clinic panel discussion with a strong line-up of speakers who have successfully built and evolved diversified rural businesses:
- Tony Langford of Pitchcott Farm, known for developing innovative, community-focused rural enterprises
- Joe Evans of Crumplebury, a standout example of premium destination diversification blending food, events and farming
- Becky Bone, bringing practical insight into diversification, land use and rural enterprise
The day will be hosted by Sam Evans, who will guide discussions and draw out practical, honest insights from speakers throughout the event.
In addition, the event will support Farming Community Network (FCN), reinforcing the importance of community and wellbeing within the rural sector.
A Practical, No-Nonsense Approach to Diversification
As the agricultural sector continues to face uncertainty, diversification is becoming essential for building resilience and long-term profitability.
Rural Diversification Live 2026 has been designed to move beyond theory, focusing on:
- Why diversification matters now more than ever
- What opportunities are working across the UK
- How to turn ideas into viable, profitable businesses
- The realities of managing and growing diversified enterprises
Two keynote sessions will explore both the strategic ‘why’ and the practical ‘how’, covering everything from identifying opportunities to building strong business structures, leadership and accountability.
See Diversification in Action
A key highlight of the day will be a guided tour of Squab Hall Farm, giving attendees the opportunity to see successful diversification projects first-hand. This includes dog walking facilities, storage units, office spaces and the wider farming business—providing tangible ideas that can be applied in other settings.
Who Should Attend
The event is aimed at:
- Farmers and landowners considering diversification
- Rural businesses looking to expand or refine existing ventures
- Those managing multiple enterprises and seeking structure
- Rural entrepreneurs and start-ups
- Professional advisers and suppliers to the rural sector
Building Connections That Matter
Alongside expert-led sessions, the event includes a networking lunch, creating space for open conversation, shared experiences and valuable new connections within the rural business community.
Supporting the Future of Rural Business
Rural Diversification Live 2026 offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from those who are doing it—sharing both the successes and the challenges of diversification.
With a focus on practical takeaways and honest discussion, the event is set to equip attendees with the confidence and clarity needed to take their next step.
Book Now
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rural-diversification-live-tickets-1988401456282
Accommodation
For those travelling from further afield, accommodation is available right next door at Mallory Court Country House Hotel & Spa. Guests attending Rural Diversification Live 2026 can enjoy an exclusive 12% discount on their stay. To take advantage of this offer, please book via:
https://mallorycourt.cloud-reservations.net/BookHotel
Add prom code: SQUAB
Bios
Becky Bone
https://www.grow-walkies.com
info@grow-walkies.com
Becky Bone is a Director at ATBone and Sons Ltd, managing a diversified agri-business in Hertfordshire while overseeing strategic and advanced farm management. She is also the co-founder and Director of Grow Walkies Ltd, a company focused on farm diversification that transforms land into secure, private dog-walking fields.
Tony Langford
https://www.pitchcott.farm
tony@pitchcott.farm
Tony Langford is a Buckinghamshire-based entrepreneur and filmmaker who has recently dedicated his expertise to the sustainable transformation of his family-owned Pitchcott Farm. Tony has successfully diversified the farm into a destination for nature connection and sustainable hospitality, focused on wildlife recovery, woodland creation, and centred around the popular cafe, Pitchcott Kitchen.
Joe Evans
https://whitbourneestate.co.uk
joe@whitbourneestate.co.uk
After a decade with HSBC in Asia, Joe Evans returned to Herefordshire in 2012 to manage his family's Whitbourne Estate. He oversees a diverse operation including residential properties, high-quality woodland, a care farm charity and a modern events venue. Joe focuses on environmental stewardship by running the home farm as an organic grazing enterprise. Currently CLA Deputy President, Joe has also been Chair of both the Herefordshire branch and Environment Committee.
Sam Evans
https://fcn.org.uk
sam@fcn.org.uk
Sam Evans is a focused agricultural professional and the current Midlands Programme Officer for the Farming Community Network (FCN). As a farmer herself, she has a deep understanding of the pressures facing the modern rural economy and Sam is a dedicated advocate for the wellbeing of the farming community.
Antony Pearce
www.dudleypeverill.co.uk
ap@dudleypeverill.co.uk
Antony Pearce is a Buckinghamshire based third generation farmer and co-founder of Dudley Peverill Associates, a consultancy specialising in rural projects and farm diversification. Combining his background as an accountant with practical farming, he helps landowners achieve income diversity while advocating for regenerative agriculture.
Emlyn Evans
www.thediversifiedfarmer.co.uk
emlyn@thediversifiedfarmer.co.uk
Emlyn Evans is the founder of The Diversified Farmer, bringing a lifetime of experience rooted in a farming family and a career spent building businesses alongside the core farm. As a partner in a farming business and director of multiple diversified enterprises, he has hands-on experience navigating the legal, financial and family dynamics of partnerships, companies and trusts. Emlyn works with farming families and rural estates to create clarity, alignment and effective governance, helping them make confident, long-term decisions that support both the business and the family behind it.
Dudley Peverill Associates
www.dudleypeverill.co.uk
Dudley Peverill is a consultancy specialising in rural projects and farm diversification. They partner with landowners and estates to unlock the potential of their assets using a structured approach that spans from initial concept to final completion. The firm provides a comprehensive suite of services, including rural project consultancy for estate masterplanning and feasibility, specialist funding and finance assistance for capital structuring and grants, and full construction project management.
Diversified Farmer
www.thediversifiedfarmer.co.uk
hello@thediversifiedfarmer.co.uk
Based at Squab Hall Farm, The Diversified Farmer provides strategic coaching and practical support to farming families and rural estates looking to diversify, grow and bring structure to their businesses. Founded by Emlyn Evans, who continues to run and develop his own family’s diversified enterprises, the business combines real-world farming experience with proven business discipline. Through 1-2-1 coaching and workshops, The Diversified Farmer helps families create clarity, align around a shared vision and build well-structured businesses that deliver long-term success both commercially and personally.
Squab Hall Farm
Squab Hall Farm is a third-generation family business based on the outskirts of Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, that has been operated by the Evans family since 1933. Originally a mixed dairy and poultry farm, the company to operate a modern arable operation alongside multiple award-winning removals and storage businesses under the Squab Group brand.